European stocks ended mixed on the last trading day of the year. The pan-European Stoxx 600 index closed a shortened trading session 0.1% lower on Wednesday, with most sector indexes in negative territory. The U.K.'s FTSE 100 ended the day down 0.2%, bringing the index to an annual gain of 21.5% – its strongest yearly gain since 2009. Meanwhile, France's CAC 40 ended New Year's Eve down 0.2%, while Germany's DAX rose 0.6%. Italy's FTSE MIB gained 1.1%, bringing annual gains to 31.5% and its best year since 1998. Markets were open for a half-day of trading on Wednesday, and will be closed...
The Nikkei 225 Index rose 0.07% to close at 48,659 while the Topix Index lost 0.21% to 3,291 on Tuesday, struggling for clear direction as markets reopened after a holiday-extended weekend. Japanese shares initially followed tech-led gains on Wall Street overnight amid renewed optimism around artificial intelligence and rising hopes for a Federal Reserve interest rate cut in December. Technology stocks showed mixed performances locally, with gains from Advantest (4.2%) and Tokyo Electron (3.1%), while sharp losses were record in SoftBank Group (-10%)a nd Disco Corp (-2.7%). Meanwhile,...
Stocks in Europe edged higher on Tuesday, with both the STOXX 50 and the STOXX 600 gaining nearly 0.2%, extending the modest advance from the previous session. Rising expectations of a Fed rate cut next month continued to support investor sentiment. Banks were among the strongest performers, with Barclays up 3.1%, Societe Generale rising 1.8%, and Commerzbank gaining 0.8%. ABN AMRO jumped more than 4% after announcing plans to cut 5,200 jobs by 2028 as part of an effort to streamline operations and reduce costs. The tech sector also advanced, supported by gains in ASML Holding (1.3%) and...
The Hong Kong stock market opened higher on Tuesday morning, November 25, 2025. The Hang Seng Index rose around 0.9%, or 232 points, to 25,948.9 at the open, continuing its rally after previously gaining nearly 2% to 25,717 on Monday. Positive sentiment was supported by a rebound in global markets and growing confidence that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates at its December meeting, boosting risk appetite in Asian stock markets, including Hong Kong. Riskier stocks, particularly technology and cyclical sectors, regained interest after sharp selling pressure in recent weeks. In...
The Nikkei index opened up around 0.7% to 48,976.51 in early trading on Tuesday, following the rebound in technology stocks on Wall Street overnight. The index's gains were led by chip stocks, which are sought after by investors. Kioxia Holdings surged around 11%, while Advantest rose around 5.3%, reflecting strong market interest in the semiconductor sector. In the currency market, USD/JPY traded steady at around 156.85, virtually unchanged from its closing position on Monday. Investors are also monitoring developments in Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's economic policies, which the market...
Asian stocks rallied, following Wall Street's gains, buoyed by confidence that the Federal Reserve could cut interest rates in December and a rebound in technology stocks. Japanese and South Korean stocks rose, while the index of Chinese companies listed in the US also rallied after President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping resumed talks following last month's tariff truce. Dovish comments from Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller, San Francisco Fed President Mary Daly, and New York Fed President John Williams reignited speculation of an interest rate cut. Currency markets now...