Latest Finance-Economy News
Global Markets Face Holiday Lull on December 31
Major exchanges operate on shortened schedules or are closed, leading to reduced liquidity and potential volatility in instruments. Investors shift focus to risk management and key macro signals like China's PMI and US data amid year-end trading.
Moscow Exchange closed, but SPB Exchange continues operations for CIS investors.
China's Services and Composite PMI Released Early
China's services PMI and composite PMI for December due at 04:30 MSK, gauging internal demand and services recovery. Strong figures could boost commodity demand and developing country currencies; weak ones raise risk premiums.
Significant for global markets, especially cyclical assets.
US Economic Data Highlights Year's Last Trading Day
Key US releases include S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price YoY, Redbook YoY, 15-Year and 30-Year Mortgage Rates, and EIA Natural Gas Stocks. Additional data: ISM Services New Orders, Prices, JOLTs Job Quits, and Consumer Inflation Expectations.
Thin liquidity may amplify movements from these reports.
S&P 500 and Major Indices Post Strong Weekly Gains
S&P 500 rose 1.40%, Nasdaq 1.22%, Dow 1.20% last week, kicking off Santa Claus rally with record highs. AI-related tech stocks drove momentum despite mixed data on growth and consumer confidence.
Fourth weekly gain in five weeks amid holiday volume.
Q3 GDP Grows at 4.3% Annualized Rate
US Q3 GDP expanded 4.3%, beating expectations by over a point, strongest in two years. Industrial production up 2.5% YoY in November, highest since Sept 2022.
Supports views of resilient growth cushioning tighter conditions.
European Stocks Hit Record Highs
Pan-European STOXX 600 climbed to new peak; banking, industrial, commodity stocks reinforced growth confidence. MSCI Asia-Pacific ex-Japan up 0.1%, on track for 26.7% annual gain, best since 2017.
Japan's Nikkei up 26% for 2025 despite daily dip.
Wall Street Ends 2025 Near Record Highs
US shares on course for double-digit gains after volatile year of tariffs, policy shifts, geopolitics. Wall Street pulled back slightly but steady; labor resilience and consumer demand support outlook.
Investors eye Fed minutes on 2026 policy divisions.
Precious Metals Stabilize After Sell-Off
Silver slumped 8.7% from $84/oz record, dragging gold lower, but both regain footing in thin trading. Gold on track for strongest annual performance in decades as dollar hedge.
Supported by softer dollar and industrial demand for silver.
US Dollar Set for Steep Annual Decline
Dollar index down nearly 10% yearly, steepest in 8 years, amid rate cut expectations. Yen at 155.85/USD, euro at $1.1775 up 13.7% YTD.
Bond yields fall: 2-year Treasury to 3.4586%, 10-year down 46 bps yearly.
US Treasury Bill Auction and Mortgage Data Due
4-Month Bill Auction for $69B at 11:00 AM; 8-Week Bill Auction later. 15-Year and 30-Year Mortgage Rates at 05:00 PM, with 30-Year at 6.18% prior.
Yields fluctuate on economic environment, Fed policy, inflation.