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 slipped into the red on Thursday, with both the STOXX 50 and STOXX 600 down 0.6%, following a subdued session the day before. Market sentiment turned cautious as traders weighed the monetary policy outlook—particularly from the Federal Reserve—amid a series of scheduled speeches from officials today. Economic data offered little support. Germany's GfK survey showed consumer confidence remains weak, while French figures also disappointed. In contrast, EU passenger car registrations rose in August. Sector performance was mixed. Healthcare led losses, with Siemens Healthineers...
The Nikkei 225 climbed 0.27% to 45,755 while the Topix added 0.47% to 3,185 on Thursday, marking a third straight day of gains as investors brushed off a tech-driven selloff on Wall Street. US equities fell for a second session overnight on concerns about record-high valuations, complex interdependencies in the AI sector and uncertainty over the Federal Reserve's policy path. Domestically, minutes from the Bank of Japan's July meeting indicated policymakers remain inclined to raise rates further if economic and price conditions evolve as expected. Investors now await Friday's Tokyo...
The Hang Seng Index started the day with a marginal increase of 17 points or 0.06%, reaching 26,536 points. Concurrently, the H-share index dropped by 5 points or 0.05%, standing at 9,437 points, while the technology index saw a decline of 8 points or 0.13%, closing at 6,314 points. In the tech sector, stock movements were varied: Tencent rose by 0.3%, Alibaba remained unchanged, Meituan dropped by 0.5%, Xiaomi Group remained stable, JD.com rose by 1.8%, and Kuaishou saw a decrease of 1%. Individual developments were observed in financial stocks, with HSBC Holdings rising by 0.3%, AIA...
The Nikkei 225 weakened 0.1% to 45,600, while the Topix gained 0.2% to 3,177 on Thursday, as Japanese equities lacked a clear direction due to pressure on technology stocks. This followed two consecutive days of declines in major US indexes, driven by concerns over record-high valuations and complex interdependencies in the AI sector. Domestically, minutes of the Bank of Japan's July meeting suggested that policymakers remain inclined to raise interest rates further if economic and price conditions develop as expected. Investors are now eyeing Friday's Tokyo inflation data, a key...
Asian stocks traded in a tight range at the open after losses on Wall Street as signs of fatigue crept into the AI-fueled equity rally. Shares in Japan and Australia edged up while those in South Korea retreated. The S&P 500, Nasdaq 100 and a gauge of global stocks each dropped 0.3% Wednesday, extending declines from the prior day. An index of US-listed Chinese companies rallied against the downcast mood on Wall Street to climb 2.8%. Equity-index futures for Hong Kong retreated as the city returns to normalcy after Super Typhoon Ragasa....