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...
European stocks opened higher on Monday, boosted by easing concerns about regional banks and a positive tone in US-China trade relations. The Stoxx 600 Index rose 0.6%, led by the banking sector, while consumer staples like food and personal care weakened. The market also shrugged off France's debt downgrade and focused on an upbeat earnings season. Kering SA shares jumped 4.4% after selling its beauty division to L'Oreal. President Trump's statement that 100% tariffs on Chinese goods were unsustainable also boosted risk appetite. Investors are now looking to the Fed for an interest rate...
The Nikkei Stock Average jumped 3.4% to close at an all-time high of 49,185.50, as market optimism grows regarding Japan's new leadership. Sanae Takaichi, the new leader of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), is expected to be confirmed as Japan's first female prime minister in a parliamentary vote on Tuesday. The market welcomed the prospect of an expansionary fiscal policy advocated by the LDP and its potential coalition partner, the Japan Innovation Party. This surge was also driven by the strong performance of several blue chips. Kioxia Holdings led the way with a 9.0% gain, followed by...
The Hang Seng Index opened up more than 2.5% on Monday morning, as investor concerns about global trade tensions and banking sector stability eased. The main index rose 637 points to 25,884, led by gains in major technology stocks such as Alibaba (+4.9%), JD.com (+5%), and Tencent (+2.8%). This increase marked the return of strong buying interest in a sector previously pressured by negative global sentiment. Financial stocks also boosted the market. Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing shares rose 3%, while AIA Group and Ping An Insurance each rose more than 2%. These gains reflected growing...
Asia-Pacific stock markets opened higher on Monday (October 20th), as investors awaited the release of key economic data from China. Analysts expect China's economic growth to slow in the third quarter to 4.8%, down from 5.2% in the previous quarter. This data will provide important clues to the region's economic direction going forward. Japan's Nikkei 225 index rose 1.6% and the Topix index gained 1.43% at the open. In South Korea, the Kospi added 0.36% after setting a record for three consecutive days last week. The Kosdaq index, which includes small-cap stocks, also rose 1.13%....
The Japanese stock market is predicted to rise today, following the gains on Wall Street last Friday. Positive sentiment from the US stock market provided a strong initial boost for Japanese investors to regain optimism. Nikkei futures on the SGX jumped 980 points to 48,475, indicating a potential reversal after last week's decline. In addition to global factors, domestic news is also providing fresh air. The ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has reportedly reached an agreement to form a coalition with the Japan Innovation Party. If this plan goes through, the new LDP leader, Sanae...