Frankfurt's DAX closed about 0.4% up at 24,288 on Friday, the highest in a week, marking the second session of gains, in the aftermath of a series of central bank monetary policy decisions. The ECB kept rates unchanged but provided a slightly better economic outlook, while the Federal Reserve delivered an anticipated 25 bps rate cut. Meanwhile, EU officials announced the approval of a €90 billion aid package for Ukraine, opting not to utilize frozen Russian assets to support Kyiv through loans. Among individual stocks, RWE led the way, rising 1.7%, followed by Commerzbank (+1.6%), Bayer (+1.6%) and MTU Aero Engines (+1.6%). On the downside, retail stocks were hit hardest, with Zalando (-2.8%) and Adidas (-1.2%) dragged lower by disappointing results from US peer Nike. For the week, the index added about 0.4%.

DAX Finishes at 1-Week High

European equities closed higher on Friday, with the STOXX 50 up 0.6% and the STOXX 600 rising 0.4% to a fresh record, boosted by expectations of further Fed rate cuts next year and fading bets that the ECB will raise borrowing costs in 2026. Broad-based buying lifted heavyweight stocks, with ASML up 1%, Novo Nordisk nearly 2%, and HSBC and AstraZeneca gaining more than 1%. Cyclical and defensive names also advanced, including Rolls-Royce at +2.7%, Prosus at +2.3%, Roche at +2.2%, Iberdrola and Shell both at +1.5%, and Safran at +1.3%. In contrast, sportswear stocks underperformed, with Puma down 1% and Adidas sliding 3% after Nike reported another quarterly margin decline, citing weak demand in China and higher tariffs. Investors also digested the EU’s agreement to issue joint bonds to fund €90 billion in loans to Ukraine. For the week, the STOXX 50 rose 1% and the STOXX 600 gained 1.6%.

European Stocks Rise, Stoxx 600 Hit Record

The FTSE MIB Index gained 300 points or 0.67 percent on Friday to close at 44763 points. Gains were led by Leonardo SpA (2.22%), Saipem (2.04%) and Telecom Italia (2.01%). Biggest losers were Tenaris (-1.52%), Davide Campari-Milano (-1.36%) and Stellantis N.V. (-0.97%).

The FTSE MIB Index Closes 0.67% Higher

The DAX Index went up by 96 points or 0.40 percent on Friday to close at 24295 points. The rise was led by Commerzbank (2.21%), MTU Aero Engines AG (1.69%) and Bayer (1.67%). On the downside, the weakerst performers were Zalando (-2.66%), Adidas (-1.14%) and Scout24 (-1.10%).

The DAX Index Closes 0.40% Higher

The CAC 40 Index rose 22 points or 0.27 percent on Friday to close at 8173 points. Leading the gains are ENGIE (1.66%), STMicroelectronics (1.44%) and Safran (1.33%). Top losers were Hermes International (-1.87%), Kering (-1.64%) and ArcelorMittal (-1.60%).

The CAC 40 Index Closes 0.27% Higher

The FTSE 100 rose 0.6% to close at 9,898 on Friday, the highest since November 12, extending gains for the third session. The main index drew strong support from a 16.4% jump in FTSE 250-listed Carnival after it reported better-than-expected quarterly results. Precious metal miners Endeavour Mining (3.2%) and Fresnillo (2.9%) also performed solidly on the back of higher prices of gold. Other top gainers included Rolls-Royce Holdings (2.3%), Melrose Industries (2%) and Spirax Group (1.8%), with oil companies Shell (1.5%) and BP (1.4%) also advancing. On the flip side, housebuilders and retailers posted the biggest losses.

UK Stocks Close at 1-Week High

The FTSE 100 Index gained 61 points or 0.62 percent on Friday to close at 9899 points. Gains were led by Rolls-Royce (2.71%), Endeavour (2.06%) and Melrose (1.95%). Biggest losers were JD Sports Fashion (-2.88%), B&M European Value (-2.77%) and Barratt Redrow (-2.75%).

The FTSE 100 Index Closes 0.62% Higher

The FTSE MIB rose 0.7% to close at 44,757 on Friday, holding a five-week high and posting a fourth consecutive weekly gain. Financial stocks mostly advanced, with Intesa Sanpaolo up 0.5%, Generali gaining 1.5%, and MPS rising 1.5%. Eni climbed 1.1% as oil prices moved higher. Leonardo advanced 1.9% amid ongoing uncertainty surrounding a potential peace deal in Ukraine. Other notable gainers included Saipem, Ferrari, and TIM, each up around 2%. On the downside, Brunello Cucinelli fell 2.1%, while Tenaris and Moncler declined 1.5% and 1.3%, respectively. On the macro side, Italy’s consumer confidence in December exceeded expectations, while business confidence weakened more than forecast.

FTSE MIB Extends Weekly Gains

The CAC 40 edged up 0.2% to close at 8,170 on Friday, following a 0.8% gain the previous day, as gains in banks and select blue-chip stocks offset losses in the luxury sector. Renault rose 1.2% after S&P Global upgraded its credit rating to BBB- from BB+, with a stable outlook. Bank stocks were also higher, namely BNP Paribas (+0.9%), Societe Generale (+1.0%) and Credit Agricole (+0.8%). On the other hand, Kering declined 1.6% following the announcement of a staged acquisition of Italian jeweler Raselli Franco, starting with a 20% stake for €115 million. Other luxury stocks also lagged, with L’Oréal (-1.2%), Hermès (-1.8%), and LVMH (-0.4%) retreating. Broader losses included ArcelorMittal (-1.5%), Capgemini (-1.2%), and Saint-Gobain (-0.9%). Meanwhile, the Bank of France revised up its growth forecasts to 0.9% for 2025 (from 0.7%) and 1% for 2026 (from 0.9%), citing a recovery in household spending and investment, contingent on political uncertainty easing.

CAC 40 Inches Higher in Week’s Final Session

The S&P/TSX Composite Index rose nearly 1% to trade above 31,500 on Friday, supported by gains in major banks and Shopify. RBC and TD Bank each advanced 0.5%, while BMO climbed close to 1%, and Shopify added 0.6%. Energy stocks also contributed, as higher oil prices lifted Canadian Natural Resources by 1.6%, Suncor Energy by 1.3%, and Imperial Oil by 0.5%. In mining, Barrick rose more than 2% and Agnico Eagle gained 1.6% despite lower gold prices. Lundin Mining jumped 3% after announcing plans to sell its Eagle nickel-copper mine and the Humboldt Mill to Talon Metals, whose shares surged about 30%. On the downside, Loblaw fell 0.6% and Dollarama slipped 0.2% after Canada’s retail sales declined 0.2% in October, slightly below expectations. BlackBerry tumbled more than 10% after RBC Capital reiterated its rating and $4.50 price target, citing mixed third-quarter results and noting that revenue strength reflected one-off contributions from the Secure Communications division.

TSX Advances Boosted by Banks and Shopify

TSX increased to an all-time high of 31767.00 Index Points. Over the past 4 weeks, Canada Stock Market Index (TSX) gained 6.17%, and in the last 12 months, it increased 29.07%.

Stocks in Canada Hit All-time High

The Dow Jones Index is up by 322 points or 0.67 percent on Friday. Top gainers are Nvidia (3.50%), Boeing (2.70%) and Caterpillar (2.16%). Biggest losses came from Nike (-9.74%), Home Depot (-1.24%) and Sherwin-Williams (-1.17%).

The Dow Jones Index Opens 0.67% Higher

US stocks were higher on a triple-witching Friday, with the S&P 500 rising 0.5%, the Nasdaq gaining 0.7%, and the Dow Jones adding about 210 points, extending gains from the previous session as technology stocks outperformed. The AI-related trade showed signs of recovery, led by Oracle, whose shares jumped more than 6% after TikTok agreed to sell its US operations to a new joint venture involving Oracle and private-equity firm Silver Lake. Micron Technology advanced 5.5%, building on its 10% surge on Thursday. On the downside, Nike shares plunged 10% after the company reported weaker revenue in China, while higher tariffs weighed on gross margins. FedEx slid more than 2%, as its quarterly results failed to impress investors. Meanwhile, investor sentiment remained supported by expectations that the Fed will have room to continue cutting interest rates next year. For the week so far, the S&P 500 is up 0.8%, the Dow Jones has gained 1%, while the Nasdaq is down 0.8%.

US Stocks Rise Sharply on Friday

Merval increased to an all-time high of 3184141.00 Index Points. Over the past 4 weeks, Merval Buenos Aires gained 11.63%, and in the last 12 months, it increased 28.95%.

Stocks in Argentina Hit All-time High

The Ibovespa edged up to trade above 158,000 on Friday, with attention on the congressional vote on the 2026 Budget. Lawmakers are scheduled to analyze the proposal after the session was postponed on Thursday. Petrobras rose 0.4% on higher oil prices, while Vale also gained 0.4% as iron ore advanced, supported by expectations that Chinese steelmakers will step up restocking ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday in February. Utilities traded mixed, with Axia down 0.4% and Sabesp up 0.3% after approving the payment of R$1.798 billion in interest on equity. Major banks were mostly higher, led by Itaú, up 0.3%, and Bradesco, up 0.2%. WEG and Embraer both advanced more than 1%. On the downside, Rede D’Or fell over 8% and Ambev dropped more than 5% after both shares went ex-dividend on Thursday.

Ibovesba Edges Up Ahead of Government Budget Vote

Futures tracking the S&P/TSX Composite Index were little changed on Friday as investors assessed fresh retail data. Canada’s retail sales fell 0.2% in October, slightly below expectations of a flat reading and putting pressure on consumer-related stocks such as Loblaw, Couche-Tard, and Shopify. At the same time, higher oil prices underpinned Canadian energy producers, while a modest uptick in gold prices offered some support to local miners. On the corporate front, BlackBerry raised the lower end of its fiscal 2026 revenue forecast on strong demand for its cybersecurity software and reported third-quarter revenue above estimates. Elsewhere, Lundin Mining announced plans to sell its Eagle nickel-copper mine and the Humboldt Mill to Talon Metals.

TSX Futures Steady as Investors Assess Retail Data

Futures tied to the S&P 500 rose 0.2%, while Nasdaq 100 futures gained 0.4%, and Dow Jones futures hovered around the flatline on Friday, following a strong session the day before in which the S&P 500 posted its largest daily gain of the month. Investor sentiment remains supported by expectations that the Fed will have scope to continue cutting interest rates next year. Oracle shares climbed more than 4% in premarket trading, providing an additional boost after TikTok agreed to sell its US operations to a new joint venture involving Oracle and private-equity firm Silver Lake. Micron Technology added 1.6%, extending its 10% surge from Thursday. On the downside, Nike shares plunged more than 10% after the company reported weaker revenue in China, while higher tariffs weighed on gross margins. FedEx traded little changed, as its quarterly results failed to impress investors. For the week so far, the S&P 500 is up 0.8%, the Dow Jones has gained 1%, while the Nasdaq is down 0.8%.

S&P and Nasdaq Futures Up

India's BSE Sensex closed about 0.5% up at 84,929.4 on Friday, halting a four-session losing streak, amid a broad-based rally after the soft US inflation data strengthened hopes of interest rate cuts in the coming year. Renewed foreign fund inflows also supported market sentiment, with foreign investors buying Indian shares for two consecutive sessions until Thursday. Bharat Electronics (+2.4%), Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles, Power Grid Corporation, Reliance, and Asian Paints emerged as the top gainers. For the week, the index posted a 0.4% decline, marking the second consecutive weekly loss, amid persistent uncertainty over a US-India trade deal.

Sensex Rebounds, Still Posts Weekly Loss

The SENSEX Index rose 448 points or 0.53 percent on Friday to close at 84929 points. Leading the gains are Tata Motors (2.43%), Power Grid (2.05%) and Reliance Industries (1.33%). Top losers were HCL Tech (-1.25%), Kotak Mahindra Bank (-0.23%) and ICICI Bank (-0.19%).

The SENSEX Index Closes 0.53% Higher

Frankfurt's DAX advanced 0.4% to around 24,280 on Friday, extending gains from the previous session amid expectations of additional US rate cuts next year and reduced bets on ECB rate hikes in 2026. On the economic front, German consumer confidence was expected to decline significantly heading into January 2026, while producer prices fell more than anticipated in November. Leading the gains were Siemens Energy (+1.1%), HeidelbergCement (+1.3%), and Deutsche Post (+0.7%). Despite Friday’s advance, the index is down 0.4% for the week, on track for its first weekly loss in four.

DAX Extends Gains but Set for Weekly Drop

The FTSE MIB hovered around 44,500 in early trading on Friday, holding a five-week high and poised for a fourth consecutive weekly gain. Market sentiment was supported by hopes for additional Federal Reserve rate cuts next year and diminishing expectations of ECB rate hikes in 2026. Leading the gains were industrial stock Buzzi Unicem, up more than 2%, and media share Telecom Italia, also rising over 2%. Index-heavy finance shares were mostly in the green. On the downside, top laggards included Tenaris and Davide Campari-Milano, both down more than 1%. On the economic front, Italy’s consumer confidence for December came in better than expected, while business confidence fell more than forecasts. Additional data later in the day will include the current account and industrial sales for October.

FTSE MIB Holds Five-Week High

The CAC 40 swung around the flatline on Friday, following a 0.8% gain the previous day, as losses in the luxury sector were offset by gains in banks and other blue-chip stocks. Kering declined 0.7% following the announcement of a staged acquisition of Italian jeweler Raselli Franco, starting with a 20% stake for €115?million. Other luxury stocks also lagged, with L’Oréal (-0.7%), Hermès (-0.6%), and LVMH (-0.4%) retreating. Broader losses included TP (-1.1%), Accor (-1.0%), and Pernod Ricard (-0.9%). On the other hand, Renault rose 1.1% after S&P Global upgraded its credit rating to BBB- from BB+, with a stable outlook. Bank stocks were also higher, namely BNP Paribas (+0.9%), Societe Generale (+0.7%) and Credit Agricole (+0.4%). Meanwhile, the Bank of France raised its growth forecasts for the country to 0.9% for 2025 (from 0.7%) and 1% for 2026 (from 0.9%), citing resilient transport and aviation sectors and an expected recovery in consumer spending and investment.

CAC 40 Holds Steady in Week’s Final Session

The FTSE 100 was little changed on Friday as investors weighed mixed UK economic data and a stream of company news. Sentiment was supported slightly by an improvement in consumer confidence in December, with the GfK survey showing households felt marginally more optimistic after the Autumn Budget. However, this was counterbalanced by weaker retail activity, as UK retail sales unexpectedly fell in November. Public finances also drew attention: the UK budget deficit narrowed to £11.7 billion in November, an improvement on last year but still worse than economists had forecast. At the stock level, gains in heavyweight names such as HSBC (0.1%), AstraZeneca (0.4%) and Rolls-Royce (0.7%) helped limit downside, while Prudential shares climbed 0.8% after its Indian asset management IPO was well received. These advances were offset by declines in Unilever (-0.5%), BP (-0.6%), GSK (-0.4%) and Relx (-0.4%). In retail, JD Sports slipped 0.6% after Nike warned of falling sales.

FTSE Little Changed on Friday

Both the STOXX 50 and the STOXX 600 hovered around the flatline on Friday, following strong gains in the previous session, supported by optimism over further Fed rate cuts next year and diminishing expectations that the ECB will raise borrowing costs in 2026. Personal and household goods was the worst-performing sector. Adidas fell 0.5%, while Puma slumped 2%, after Nike reported a second consecutive quarterly decline in margins, citing continued weakness in China and the ongoing impact of higher tariffs. The tech sector also faced pressure, with ASML Holding and SAP each down 0.5%. In contrast, banking stocks traded mostly higher, with gains seen in Intesa Sanpaolo (0.1%), BBVA (0.1%), BNP Paribas (0.9%), and Société Générale (0.6%). Meanwhile, investors were also digesting the EU’s agreement to issue joint bonds to provide €90 billion in loans to Ukraine. For the week, both benchmarks remain on track for solid gains, with the STOXX 50 up 0.5% and the STOXX 600 higher by 1.2% so far.

European Stocks Flat on Friday, Set for Weekly Gains

The FTSE 100 Index is gaining 5 points or 0.06 percent on Friday. Leading the gains are DCC (2.32%), Standard Chartered (1.25%) and Rolls-Royce (0.87%). Top losers are Vistry Group (-1.59%), Persimmon (-1.59%) and Barratt Redrow (-1.57%).

The FTSE 100 Index Opens 0.06% Higher

The DAX Index is picking up 80 points or 0.33 percent on Friday. Gains are led by Siemens Energy (0.96%), HeidelbergCement (0.82%) and Commerzbank (0.79%). Biggest losers are Rheinmetall (-0.65%), Adidas (-0.63%) and Symrise (-0.47%).

The DAX Index Opens 0.33% Higher

The CAC 40 Index is gaining 5 points or 0.07 percent on Friday. Leading the gains are Renault (1.54%), BNP Paribas (0.96%) and Societe Generale (0.74%). Top losers are TP (-1.09%), Pernod Ricard (-0.94%) and Stellantis NV (-0.73%).

The CAC 40 Index Opens 0.07% Higher

The Hang Seng rose 192 points, or 0.75%, to end at 25,690 on Friday, extending gains for a third session as all major sectors advanced. Sentiment was lifted by a continued rise in mainland equities amid reports that ByteDance had struck a deal with three major investors to form a joint venture to operate TikTok’s U.S. app, aiming to avert a potential ban. Hopes for new stimulus from Beijing before year-end also supported the market, while traders awaited the PBoC’s upcoming rate fixing. Man Wah Holdings jumped 7.3% after agreeing to acquire U.S. furniture maker Gainline Recline Intermediate for USD 58.7 million, including debt. CSPC Pharma surged 2.8% on positive psoriasis drug trial results, along with gains from Nongfu Spring (3.8%), Galaxy Entertainment (2.2%), and Meituan (1.5%). Still, Hong Kong shares logged a second weekly decline of 1.1%, pressured by a tumble in U.S. futures on concerns over stretched AI valuations and signs of slowing China's economic momentum in November.

Hang Seng Ends Higher on ByteDance Deal, Still Posts Weekly Drop

The Shangai Composite Index gained 17 points or 0.43 percent on Friday to close at 3893 points. Gains were led by China International (9.33%), Yonghui Superstore (5.28%) and Avic Aviation Engine (3.93%). Biggest losers were GD Power Development (-2.34%), ICBC (-1.50%) and Kweichow Moutai (-1.40%).

The Shangai Composite Index Closes 0.43% Higher

European equity markets were poised to open little changed on Friday, holding on to gains from the previous session despite hawkish signals from the European Central Bank and the Bank of England. On Thursday, the ECB left interest rates unchanged as expected and revised some of its growth and inflation forecasts higher. Meanwhile, the BOE cut its policy rate by 25 basis points in line with expectations but struck a cautious tone on further easing. Recent data showed UK consumer confidence improved in December ahead of the Christmas period, although cost-of-living pressures and broader economic uncertainty continue to weigh on sentiment. Investors are now looking ahead to additional regional data, including German consumer confidence and UK retail sales. In premarket trading, Euro Stoxx 50 and Stoxx 600 futures hovered near the flatline.

European Markets Set for Muted Open

The Nikkei 225 Index went up by 595 points or 1.21 percent on Friday to close at 49596 points. The rise was led by Softbank (6.70%), Fujikura (4.98%) and Mazda Motor (4.82%).

The Nikkei 225 Index Closes 1.21% Higher

The S&P/NZX 50 index rose 0.6% to close at 13,333 on Friday, snapping a two-day losing streak, supported by upbeat domestic data, with Wall Street’s rise adding further support. Consumer confidence in New Zealand climbed to its highest level in over four years in December, while business sentiment surged to a 30-year high. The country also reported a smaller-than-expected trade deficit as export growth sharply outpaced imports. These figures followed Thursday’s data showing the economy returned to growth in Q3, signaling a pickup in activity after aggressive rate cuts. Heavyweights led the rebound, with strong gains from Infratil (+2.6%), Contact Energy (+1.9%), Mercury NZ (+1.0%), and Ebos Group (+2.2%). Overseas, US equities rebounded on Thursday, driven by a rally in tech stocks after cooler-than-expected inflation data boosted expectations of Federal Reserve rate cuts next year. Despite Friday’s advance, the NZX 50 fell 0.55% for the week, its second straight weekly decline.

New Zealand Stocks Rebound

The BSE Sensex rose 469 points, or 0.6%, to 84,950 in Friday morning trade, snapping a four-session losing streak and tracking gains in Asian peers, following an upbeat session on Wall Street overnight as softer inflation raised hopes of further interest rate cuts by the Fed next year. Almost all sectors traded in the green, led by healthcare, pharmaceuticals, oil & gas, and auto stocks. Meanwhile, the Nifty 50 rose 0.2%, mid-caps gained 0.3%, and small-cap stocks climbed 0.6%. However, traders are awaiting the release of the RBI’s minutes of the meeting later today for guidance on the central bank’s monetary policy path. Among the best performers were Tata Motors (up 1.4%), Reliance Industries (up 1.3%), and Bajaj Finserv (up 1.2%), while Power Grid, Infosys, and Larsen & Toubro each rose 1.0%. For the week, the index is heading for a 0.4% decline, which would be the second consecutive weekly loss, amid foreign outflows and uncertainty over a US–India trade deal.

Indian Stocks Gain, but Poised for 2nd Weekly Decline

Indonesia’s IDX Composite slipped 21 points, or 0.2%, to 8,597 in early Friday trade, extending losses for a third straight session as consumer services, manufacturing, and logistics weighed. Sentiment weakened after the World Bank warned that the recent major disaster in Sumatra could pose downside risks to domestic growth. For the week, the market is set to close lower after four consecutive weekly gains, pressured by reports that labor unions and business groups rejected the government’s proposed 2026 wage formula, citing limited consultation and misalignment with economic conditions. Notable decliners included MD Entertainment (-9.9%), Impack Pratama Industri (-3.0%), Tower Bersama Infrastructure (-1.8%), and GojekTokopedia (-1.5%). Losses were partly offset by a positive lead from Wall Street, where tech stocks rebounded and softer U.S. inflation data reinforced expectations of Fed rate cuts next year.

IDX Composite Slips, Weekly Decline Looms

The Shanghai Composite rose 0.6% to around 3,900, while the Shenzhen Component climbed 0.8% to 13,155 on Friday, marking a third consecutive session of gains for mainland markets as gains in defense and aerospace stocks supported the market. Those moves came as a proposed $11 billion US arms sale to Taiwan drew an angry response from China, bolstering bets that Beijing will beef up its military capabilities. Top gainers in the sector included Fujian Snowman (up 8.9%), China Spacesat (5.1%), China Aerospace (1.3%), Addsino Co (1.7%) and Aerospace Intelligent Manufacturing (14.8%). Technology and AI-linked stocks also advanced, with Eoptolink Technology up 4% and Zhongji Innolight gaining 1.6%. Additionally, Chinese equities tracked Wall Street’s overnight gains, supported by cooler-than-expected US inflation data that fueled expectations for further Federal Reserve rate cuts.

China Stocks Gain on Defense, Aerospace Boost

The benchmark KOSPI rose 0.54% to around 4,015 on Friday, rebounding modestly from the previous session’s losses following overnight gains on Wall Street. US stocks climbed as cooler-than-expected inflation data boosted expectations for further Federal Reserve interest rate cuts. Strength in US technology stocks subsequently supported South Korean technology firms, with SK Hynix (1.63%), HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (2.38%), Hanwha Aerospace (3.06%), Doosan Enerbility (0.54%), and Hanwha Ocean (5.12%) posting notable gains. Conversely, Samsung Electronics (-0.93%), LG Energy Solutions (-2.64%), Kia Corporation (-1.33%), and Samsung Biologics (-1.61%) weighed on the index.

Korean Stocks Rebound on Wall Street Gains

Hong Kong stocks advanced 150 points, or 0.6%, to 25,649 in early Friday trade, sustaining gains for a third straight session amid broad-based strength across sectors. Sentiment was lifted by a firmer close on Wall Street overnight, driven by a rebound in technology shares and softer U.S. inflation data that reinforced expectations for Fed rate cuts next year. A third consecutive rise in mainland Chinese equities also supported the market, as investors positioned ahead of next week’s monthly fixing of China’s key policy rate by the PBoC. Among notable gainers, XPeng surged 4.6%, followed by Nongfu Spring (3.6%), Innovent Biologics (3.3%), SMIC (1.5%), and Tencent Holdings (1.2%). Despite the recent rebound, Hong Kong shares remain on track for a second consecutive weekly decline, down around 1% so far, weighed by lingering concerns that China’s economy lost momentum in November and the absence of fresh stimulus signals from Beijing as the year-end approaches.

Hong Kong Shares Extend Gains for 3rd Session, Set for Weekly Drop

The S&P/ASX 200 rose 0.6% to around 8,640 in early Friday trading after pausing in the previous session, as gains in banks and tech stocks lifted the market. Sentiment improved after Wall Street advanced overnight, with cooler US inflation data reinforcing expectations of Federal Reserve rate cuts. Local technology stocks climbed 1.5%, tracking their US peers higher after tech giant Micron Technology delivered a solid outlook, easing concerns over artificial intelligence spending and tech valuations. Sector leaders Wisetech Global, Xero, and Technology One surged between 0.7% and 2.6%. Financials also jumped over 1%, with the “Big Four” banks up 0.8% to 1.6%. Other notable performers included top investment bank Macquarie Group (+1.2%), biotech giant CLS (+1.1%), and gold producer Newmont (0.5%). Meanwhile, the main index is headed for its first weekly decline in a month, as sticky inflation and a hawkish central bank have dampened expectations for further RBA rate cuts.

Australian Shares Rise on Bank and Tech Gains

The Nikkei 225 Index rose 0.8% to above 49,400, while the broader Topix Index gained 0.5% to 3,375 on Friday, reversing losses from the previous session as investors positioned ahead of the Bank of Japan’s latest policy decision. The central bank is widely expected to raise its policy rate by 25 basis points to 0.75% to rein in inflation. Japan’s headline inflation eased slightly to 2.9% in November from 3% in October but stayed above the BOJ’s target for the 44th consecutive month. Core inflation held steady at 3% during the same period. Japanese equities also drew support from Wall Street, where cooler-than-expected US inflation data boosted expectations for further Federal Reserve rate cuts next year. Gains were broad-based, with notable performers including SoftBank Group (up 1.6%), Fujikura (2.9%), Advantest (1.4%), Toyota Motor (1.6%) and Disco Corp (1.6%).

Japanese Shares Rise Ahead of BOJ Decision

US stock futures held steady on Friday after the major indexes rebounded in the previous session, as investors assessed cooler inflation data that reinforced a dovish outlook for Federal Reserve policy. In Thursday’s regular trading, the Dow rose 0.14%, the S&P 500 gained 0.79% and the Nasdaq Composite advanced 1.38%, with all three benchmarks recouping some losses from earlier in the week. US annual inflation eased to 2.7% in November, the lowest level since July and below market expectations of 3.1%. Core inflation also slowed to 2.6%, the lowest since March 2021. While the data remain somewhat volatile due to the absence of October figures following the government shutdown, a sustained moderation in price pressures could open the door to additional Fed rate cuts next year. On the corporate front, Nike shares sank more than 10% in extended trading after the company reported weaker China revenue, with higher tariffs weighing on gross margins.

US Futures Steady After Upbeat Session

The NZX 50 rose 87 points, or 0.7%, to 13,344 in early Friday trade, snapping two sessions of losses as most sectors advanced, led by logistics, healthcare, and energy minerals. Sentiment was buoyed by Wall Street’s rebound, where big tech recovered from recent selling and softer U.S. inflation data lifted hopes for Fed rate cuts next year. Locally, New Zealand’s consumer confidence climbed to a near four-year high in December, marking a second monthly gain, while November’s trade deficit narrowed as exports outpaced imports. Meantime, earlier data this week indicated a rebound in the country's economy in Q3 2025, boosted by stronger manufacturing, construction, and business services. Top movers included Fisher & Paykel Healthcare (2.8%), Infratil Ltd. (1.2%), Mercury NZ (1.1%), and Port of Tauranga (0.9%). Despite the day’s strength, the benchmark remains on track for a second weekly decline, down about 0.6% so far, with investors cautious ahead of China’s key rate fixing next week.

New Zealand Shares Bounce Back, Weekly Loss Still in Sight

The Dow Jones Index rose 188 points or 0.39 percent on Thursday to close at 48074 points. Leading the gains are Amazon (2.48%), Nvidia (1.91%) and Microsoft (1.65%). Top losers were P&G (-1.59%), Chevron (-1.24%) and Verizon (-1.17%).

The Dow Jones Index Closes 0.39% Higher

US stocks rose on Thursday, with the S&P 500 gaining 0.8%, the Nasdaq climbing 1.4%, and the Dow Jones adding about 66 points, after latest data showed inflation rate unexpectedly decreased. The annual inflation in the US fell to 2.7% in November, the lowest since July, below market expectations of 3.1%. Also, the core gauge fell to 2.6%, the lowest since March 2021. Although the figures remain noisy due to the absence of October data following the government shutdown, a sustained moderation in price pressures could pave the way for further Federal Reserve rate cuts next year. Consumer discretionary and information technology stocks led the gains, rising about 2% and more than 1%, respectively. Shares of Micron Technology jumped about 10% after the company delivered better-than-expected fiscal first quarter earnings and revenue, alongside a strong outlook for the current period. Meanwhile, financials, consumer staples, energy, and real estate lagged behind.

US Stocks Rise on Slower Inflation

The FTSE MIB Index went up by 364 points or 0.82 percent on Thursday to close at 44463 points. The rise was led by Leonardo SpA (4.01%), Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena (3.39%) and Prysmian (2.93%). On the downside, the weakerst performers were Tenaris (-2.78%), Amplifon (-0.83%) and Telecom Italia (-0.44%).

The FTSE MIB Index Closes 0.82% Higher

The DAX Index rose 239 points or 1.00 percent on Thursday to close at 24200 points. Leading the gains are Siemens Energy (3.68%), Deutsche Bank (3.03%) and Airbus (1.99%). Top losers were Mercedes-Benz AG (-0.62%), BASF (-0.47%) and BMW (-0.45%).

The DAX Index Closes 1.00% Higher

The CAC 40 Index gained 65 points or 0.80 percent on Thursday to close at 8151 points. Gains were led by Eurofins Scientific SE (4.05%), Safran (2.72%) and Airbus (1.99%). Biggest losers were Renault (-1.94%), Accor (-0.92%) and AXA (-0.39%).

The CAC 40 Index Closes 0.80% Higher

The FTSE 100 Index went up by 67 points or 0.68 percent on Thursday to close at 9841 points. The rise was led by Whitbread (6.09%), Fresnillo (3.93%) and Rentokil Initial (3.85%). On the downside, the weakerst performers were B&M European Value (-2.71%), Bunzl (-2.11%) and United Utilities (-1.54%).

The FTSE 100 Index Closes 0.68% Higher

The FTSE MIB gained 0.8% to close at 44,463 on Thursday after the European Central Bank kept policy rates unchanged. Sentiment was also supported by a softer-than-expected US CPI print, reinforcing expectations that the Fed could deliver further rate cuts next year. Financial stocks advanced as stable ECB policy and a more dovish Fed outlook supported Italian bonds and narrowed the BTP-Bund spread. UniCredit rose 0.6%, Intesa Sanpaolo gained 0.9%, and MPS jumped 3.1%. Eni added 0.5% as oil prices extended gains amid Trump’s blockade of Venezuelan exports and reports of potential new US sanctions on Russian oil. The company also completed the sale of a 49.99% stake in its carbon capture unit to BlackRock’s Global Infrastructure Partners. Leonardo led the index, up 4.1%, amid renewed uncertainty over peace talks in Ukraine. On the downside, Tenaris fell 2.7%, while Amplifon and TIM lost 0.9% and 0.6%, respectively.

FTSE MIB Rises as ECB Holds Rates

FR40 increased to 8161.00 Index Points, the highest since November 2025. Over the past 4 weeks, France Stock Market Index (FR40) gained 2.6%, and in the last 12 months, it increased 11.87%.

Stocks in France Hit 4-week High

The S&P/TSX Composite Index climbed nearly 1% to trade above the 31,000 mark on Thursday, tracking a broadly positive global tone. Sentiment was supported by a lower-than-expected US CPI report, which reinforced expectations that the Federal Reserve could deliver additional rate cuts next year. Major banks led the advance, with Brookfield rising 2%, RBC gaining more than 1%, and TD up 1.7%. Mining stocks also advanced despite softer gold prices, as Agnico Eagle added 1.6% and Barrick gained 1.2%. In contrast, energy producers traded lower even as oil prices moved higher, with Canadian Natural Resources down 0.4% and Suncor edging 0.1% lower. Meanwhile, optimism in cannabis stocks persisted following reports that US President Trump may address potential easing of federal marijuana regulations, helping Canopy Growth extend its rally to nearly 20%.

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