U.S markets finished mixed. Sentiment was hit by worries over economic stability in Europe following a third parliamentary election which failed to appoint a new President. The S&P 500 reached another record close for the 53rd time this year, adding 0.09% to 2,090.57. The Dow Jones, however, ended a 7 day rally and fell 0.09% to 18,038.23. The biggest losers in the Dow Jones were International Business Machines Corp down 1.13%, Intel Corp down 0.99% and Microsoft down 0.9%.
Asian markets declined across the region. During its last trading day of 2014, the Nikkei lost 1.57% as the Yen strengthened following a tax cut on corporate income. Taxes will be cut by 2.51% in April and then by a further 0.78% a year later. The Dollar fell from 120.7 down to 119.2. The biggest decliners were Panasonic Corp down 4.55%, Tosoh Corp down 4.09%, Sumco Corp down 3.85% and Sony down 3.46%. The Hang Seng lost 1.14% as sentiment was hit by the situation in Russia and upcoming elections in Greece. The biggest decliners were CNOOC Ltd down 3.35%, China Resources Enterprise down 3.06% and PetroChina Co down 2.85%.
European markets are lower today due to falling oil prices and uncertainty regarding Greece. Greece is now headed for elections and the parliament will be dissolved after the Prime Minister failed to convince parliament to vote in a new President. Investors are worried that the far left party could take power and renegotiate the terms of their bailout. They could also reverse economic reforms and hurt recovery in the Euro zone as a whole. Currently, the FTSE is down 0.94%, the DAX is down 0.75% and the CAC 40 is down 0.75%. The FTSE is being led lower by energy companies as oil plunges towards to $50/barrel. Royal Dutch Shell is down 2.81%, Tullow Oil is down 2.42% and BP is down 1.87%.
December 30, 2014 – Indices News
U.S markets finished mixed. Sentiment was hit by worries over economic stability in Europe following a third parliamentary election which failed to appoint a new President. The S&P 500 reached another record close for the 53rd time this year, adding 0.09% to 2,090.57. The Dow Jones, however, ended a 7 day rally and fell 0.09% to 18,038.23. The biggest losers in the Dow Jones were International Business Machines Corp down 1.13%, Intel Corp down 0.99% and Microsoft down 0.9%.
Asian markets declined across the region. During its last trading day of 2014, the Nikkei lost 1.57% as the Yen strengthened following a tax cut on corporate income. Taxes will be cut by 2.51% in April and then by a further 0.78% a year later. The Dollar fell from 120.7 down to 119.2. The biggest decliners were Panasonic Corp down 4.55%, Tosoh Corp down 4.09%, Sumco Corp down 3.85% and Sony down 3.46%. The Hang Seng lost 1.14% as sentiment was hit by the situation in Russia and upcoming elections in Greece. The biggest decliners were CNOOC Ltd down 3.35%, China Resources Enterprise down 3.06% and PetroChina Co down 2.85%.
European markets are lower today due to falling oil prices and uncertainty regarding Greece. Greece is now headed for elections and the parliament will be dissolved after the Prime Minister failed to convince parliament to vote in a new President. Investors are worried that the far left party could take power and renegotiate the terms of their bailout. They could also reverse economic reforms and hurt recovery in the Euro zone as a whole. Currently, the FTSE is down 0.94%, the DAX is down 0.75% and the CAC 40 is down 0.75%. The FTSE is being led lower by energy companies as oil plunges towards to $50/barrel. Royal Dutch Shell is down 2.81%, Tullow Oil is down 2.42% and BP is down 1.87%.
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