European equities traded at all-time highs on the final day of 2025, setting the stage for their strongest year since 2021, driven by gains in banks and miners. The STOXX 50 rose 0.5% to near a record 5,785 points, while the broader STOXX 600 climbed 0.5% to a fresh peak of 592 points. For the year, the STOXX 50 is on track to finish up around 19%, with the STOXX 600 set for a 17% gain. Banks led the rally with a remarkable 67% surge, followed by strong performance in basic resources, boosted by rising gold, silver, and other metal prices. Utilities also contributed, supported by higher...
Stocks in the US were higher on Thursday, with both the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq rising 0.2% and the Dow Jones adding about 80 points, led by gains in financials and communication services. Shares of Meta soared almost 4% after Bloomberg reported executives are considering potential budget cuts as high as 30% for the metaverse group next year. JPMorgan also added more than 1%, Nvidia gained 0.5% and Salesforce was up 0.7% after the company offered a stronger-than-expected revenue forecast. Meanwhile, traders continue to bet the Fed will deliver another rate cut next week. The odds for...
The Hang Seng rose 175 points or 0.7% to close at 25,936 on Thursday, partly rebounding from a steep fall the prior day amid firmer U.S. futures ahead of Friday's PCE index and the Fed's final policy meeting of the year, where a 25bps rate cut is widely expected. Meanwhile, China may keep its 2026 growth target at around 5% as top leaders convene later this month to map out next year's economic agenda. On the corporate front, Country Garden secured shareholder approval for USD 13 billion in convertible bonds as the indebted builder pushes forward with its debt restructuring. CMOC Hong Kong...
The Nikkei 225 Index jumped 2.33% to close at 51,028, while the broader Topix Index rose 1.92% to 3,398 on Thursday, with the latter hitting fresh record highs as robot makers and technology shares rallied on renewed investor interest. Fanuc led the advance, surging 13% after the automation company recently announced a partnership with Nvidia to develop industrial robots. Other robotics firms posted strong gains as well, including Yaskawa Electric (11.4%) and Nabtesco (11.3%). Major tech names also climbed, with notable increases in SoftBank Group (9.2%), Lasertec (6.2%) and Disco Corp...
The Nikkei 225 Index jumped 2.33% to close at 51,028, while the broader Topix Index rose 1.92% to 3,398 on Thursday, with the latter hitting fresh record highs as robot makers and technology shares rallied on renewed investor interest. Fanuc led the advance, surging 13% after the automation company recently announced a partnership with Nvidia to develop industrial robots. Other robotics firms posted strong gains as well, including Yaskawa Electric (11.4%) and Nabtesco (11.3%). Major tech names also climbed, with notable increases in SoftBank Group (9.2%), Lasertec (6.2%) and Disco Corp...
Hong Kong equities rose 75 points, or 0.3%, to 25,834 in Thursday morning deals, reversing a sharp drop the previous day as gains mainly from tech and consumer stocks lifted risk appetite. An extended rally on Wall Street overnight lent further support ahead of Friday's PCE index, the Fed's preferred inflation gauge, while markets priced in a potential 25bps rate cut next week amid softer labor market signals. Locally, economists expect Hong Kong's HIBOR to stay between 2-3% in the coming quarters, providing a stable backdrop for asset markets and the broader economy. Gains were capped,...