European stocks closed lower on Tuesday, with the STOXX 50 down 0.5% and the broader STOXX 600 slipping 0.4%, as optimism around Russia–Ukraine peace efforts prompted investors to reassess the outlook for military spending and weighed on defense shares. Defense names declined sharply, led by Rheinmetall (-4.6%), alongside losses in BAE Systems (-1.7%), Leonardo (-3.9%) and Thales (-1.6%). Technology heavyweights also pressured the market, with ASML Holding down 2.1% and SAP falling 1.4%, as softer global growth signals dampened appetite for cyclical tech exposure. In contrast, LVMH...
European stocks closed slightly lower on Tuesday, with the STOXX 50 slipping 0.1% and the broader STOXX 600 finishing near the flat line, as traders refrained from making large moves ahead of the Federal Reserve's monetary policy decision tomorrow. The US central bank is widely expected to deliver a 25 basis point rate cut, though the 2026 outlook remains uncertain. Shares in Ray-Ban owner EssilorLuxottica declined 5.7% after Warby Parker announced plans to launch AI-powered glasses developed in collaboration with Google, heightening competition in the smartglasses market. Thyssenkrupp...
The Hang Seng Index plunged 331 points, or 1.3%, to close at a two-week low of 25,434 on Tuesday (December 9), extending its decline for a second session amid broad sector weakness. Investors were nervous ahead of the US Fed's decision on Wednesday, with speculation growing that the central bank might make a "hawkish rate cut" amid a divided committee and uncertainty over Powell's successor when his term ends in May 2026. Mainland Chinese stocks also weakened after recent gains as caution grew ahead of China's November CPI and PPI data due on Wednesday, with deflationary risks still in...
European stocks edged higher on Tuesday (December 9th) as global investors awaited the US Federal Reserve's monetary policy update. The pan-European Stoxx 600 index rose 0.17% at the opening bell. The Fed is widely expected to cut its benchmark interest rate at its final meeting of the year. Currency markets are currently pricing in an 87% chance of a quarter-point rate cut when the central bank concludes its two-day meeting on December 10th, according to the CME FedWatch tool. This move will serve as a benchmark for central banks in Europe, with the Swiss National Bank due to deliver its...
The Nikkei 225 index closed slightly higher by 0.1% at 50,635 on Tuesday, while the Topix index rose a very slight 0.02% to 3,385, after opening lower. The market managed to reverse initial losses thanks to the strengthening of technology stocks, which were the main drivers of the index's movement. Positive sentiment in the global chip sector increased after US President Donald Trump approved a deal allowing Nvidia to resume shipping H200 series AI chips to China. In Japan, technology and chip-related stocks also rose, including SoftBank Group (up 0.8%), Lasertec (up 3.6%), Disco Corp (up...
Hong Kong stocks opened lower on Tuesday, with the Hang Seng Index falling around 196 points, or 0.8%, to 25,565, extending its decline for a second session. Sentiment was weighed down by concerns that the US Federal Reserve might make a "hawkish cut" on Wednesday, lowering interest rates while signaling a possible pause in cuts in January. The benchmark index briefly touched a two-week low as investors cautiously awaited the release of China's November inflation (CPI) and producer price (PPI) data, due on Wednesday. However, selling pressure was somewhat mitigated after China's Politburo...