European equity markets extended their rally on the first trading day of 2026, with benchmark indices pushing to fresh record highs despite thin liquidity following the New Year holiday. Gains were led by defense stocks, underpinned by persistent geopolitical tensions and expectations of increased military spending across the region. The STOXX 50 climbed 0.7% to a new all-time high of 5,830 points, while the broader STOXX 600 rose 0.4% to a record 595 points. The strong start to the year follows a robust performance in 2025, when the STOXX 50 advanced about 18% and the STOXX 600 rose 17%,...
European markets opened higher on Friday (November 7th), recovering some of the previous session's losses amid concerns about an AI bubble. The pan-European Stoxx 600 index rose 0.2% in early trading. France's CAC index rose 0.27%, Italy's FTSE MIB rose 0.4%, and Germany's DAX rose 0.4%. However, the UK's FTSE 100 reversed course and traded 0.2% lower. (alg) Source: CNBC
The Nikkei closed lower on Friday (November 7), down around 1.4% to 50,186.27 as the yen strengthened and global technology stocks continued to be under pressure. Semiconductor-related stocks led the decline: Renesas -3.9%, Advantest -6.1%, while SoftBank Group slumped 7.3%. In the forex market, USD/JPY weakened to around 152.95 from 153.87, weighing on the outlook for Japanese exporters and adding to sentiment. From a fundamental perspective, global risk-off due to concerns about AI valuations and signs of a weakening US job market have kept investors on the defensive. Domestic focus is on...
Hong Kong stocks fell 197 points, or 0.8%, to 26,282 in Friday's morning session, retreating after their biggest one-day gain since mid-August amid caution ahead of China's October trade data. Exports are expected to slow sharply after months of front-loading to avoid U.S. tariffs, while imports likely stay weak amid fragile consumer sentiment. Attention also turned to October Chinese CPI and PPI data due over the weekend, with deflation risks still a concern. On Wall Street, stocks declined overnight as renewed tech weakness and worries over the prolonged U.S. government shutdown hit...
Asian stocks slipped at the open on Friday (November 7), following a choppy session on Wall Street. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index fell about 0.2%, led by losses in Japan, while South Korea and Australia also edged lower. In the US, the S&P 500 fell 1.1% and the Nasdaq 100 slumped 1.9% for the second time in three sessions, as AI stocks from Nvidia and Palantir sold off. The volatility indicator briefly touched 20, reflecting growing market anxiety. In bonds, Treasury prices edged lower early in the Asian session after a strong rally earlier, when the 10-year yield posted its biggest daily...
Japanese stocks weakened on Friday following an overnight plunge in US technology stocks. A stronger yen also weighed on sentiment, with chip-related stocks leading the decline. Renesas Electronics fell 3.9%, SoftBank Group slumped 7.3%, and Advantest plunged 6.1%. In the forex market, USD/JPY moved to 152.95 from 153.87 at Thursday's close in Tokyo. A stronger yen typically weighs on exporters because overseas earnings are eroded upon conversion, putting pressure on the technology and chip component sectors. Investors are now awaiting the release of financial reports and details of Prime...