U.S markets finished the week higher, gaining for a third session. Investors continued to react to the FOMC statement and press conference. Hints were made that the interest rate could be raised as soon as April 2015, however, Yellen reassured the market that any changes would be slow and the Fed would be patient. Energy shares also benefited as oil prices rebounded. At market close the S&P 500 was 0.46% higher at 2,070.65 and the Dow Jones was 0.15% higher at 17,804.80. Futures inched slightly higher today but volatility was low as we approach the Christmas holidays.
Asian markets climbed across the region. The Nikkei gained 0.08% as the Dollar closed higher against the Yen, nearing the key psychological level of 120. The Bank of Japan also released its monthly report after maintaining the current monetary base at 80 trillion Yen. The biggest gainer in the index was Showa Shell Sekiyu, up a surprising 27.65%. Other strong gains were seen by Hitachi Zosen, up 10.81% and JX Holdings, up 6.45%. The Hang Seng added 1.26% as traders followed the direction of U.S markets and reacted to rebounding oil prices. China Mengniu added 7.09%, China Shenhua Energy added 5.39% and CNOOC added 4.94%.
European markets climbed for a fifth day as the Swiss National bank introduced a negative deposit rate. Speculation is also ripe that the ECB could start to buy government bonds. The situation in Greece also looked to slightly improve after the Prime Minister offered a solution to help avoid elections next year. Volatility is expected to decline across all markets before closures for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day in some European countries. Currently, the FTSE 100 is up 0.4%, the CAC 40 is up 0.36% and the DAX is up 0.65%.
December 22, 2014 – Indices News
U.S markets finished the week higher, gaining for a third session. Investors continued to react to the FOMC statement and press conference. Hints were made that the interest rate could be raised as soon as April 2015, however, Yellen reassured the market that any changes would be slow and the Fed would be patient. Energy shares also benefited as oil prices rebounded. At market close the S&P 500 was 0.46% higher at 2,070.65 and the Dow Jones was 0.15% higher at 17,804.80. Futures inched slightly higher today but volatility was low as we approach the Christmas holidays.
Asian markets climbed across the region. The Nikkei gained 0.08% as the Dollar closed higher against the Yen, nearing the key psychological level of 120. The Bank of Japan also released its monthly report after maintaining the current monetary base at 80 trillion Yen. The biggest gainer in the index was Showa Shell Sekiyu, up a surprising 27.65%. Other strong gains were seen by Hitachi Zosen, up 10.81% and JX Holdings, up 6.45%. The Hang Seng added 1.26% as traders followed the direction of U.S markets and reacted to rebounding oil prices. China Mengniu added 7.09%, China Shenhua Energy added 5.39% and CNOOC added 4.94%.
European markets climbed for a fifth day as the Swiss National bank introduced a negative deposit rate. Speculation is also ripe that the ECB could start to buy government bonds. The situation in Greece also looked to slightly improve after the Prime Minister offered a solution to help avoid elections next year. Volatility is expected to decline across all markets before closures for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day in some European countries. Currently, the FTSE 100 is up 0.4%, the CAC 40 is up 0.36% and the DAX is up 0.65%.
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