U.S markets moved higher on Friday reaching records once again. The gain came after markets were closed for the Christmas Holidays. The Dow Jones closed at a record for the 38th time this year, gaining for a 7th session in a row. The index closed 0.13% higher at 18,053.71. The S&P 500 reached its 52nd record close marking the fourth best annual climb ever. The index climbed 0.33% to 2,088.77.
Asian markets were mixed across the region. The Nikkei lost 0.5% due to reports that a man is being tested for Ebola in Tokyo. The index first gained as the Yen remains weak against the Dollar trading above 120. However, the report hit sentiment sending stocks down. The biggest losers in the index were Nippon Soda Co down 2.75%, Showa Shell Sekiyu down 2.66% and Nisshinbo Holdings down 2.39%. The Hang Seng added 1.82% due to speculation that the Chinese government may increase stimulus and undertake measures to increase lending and boost growth. Traders were also catching up to gains from the Shanghai market after being market closures for holidays. The rumoured change in policy boosted financial shares and the biggest gainers were China Life Insurance up 8.73%, Ping An Insurance up 7.46% and Bank of Communications up 3.3%.
European markets are lower today after a third round of parliamentary elections in Greece failed. Greece now faces elections in January as parliament failed to elect Stavros Dimas as the new President. The parliament will now be dissolved and an election date will be called within 10 days. Currently the CAC 40 is down 0.58%, the DAX is down 0.82% and the FTSE is down 0.02%. The FTSE was originally being led higher by Royal Mail, up 4.11%, after the demise of a rival company. However, the upcoming election heightened fears over the Euro zone and its financial stability.
December 29, 2014 – Indices News
U.S markets moved higher on Friday reaching records once again. The gain came after markets were closed for the Christmas Holidays. The Dow Jones closed at a record for the 38th time this year, gaining for a 7th session in a row. The index closed 0.13% higher at 18,053.71. The S&P 500 reached its 52nd record close marking the fourth best annual climb ever. The index climbed 0.33% to 2,088.77.
Asian markets were mixed across the region. The Nikkei lost 0.5% due to reports that a man is being tested for Ebola in Tokyo. The index first gained as the Yen remains weak against the Dollar trading above 120. However, the report hit sentiment sending stocks down. The biggest losers in the index were Nippon Soda Co down 2.75%, Showa Shell Sekiyu down 2.66% and Nisshinbo Holdings down 2.39%. The Hang Seng added 1.82% due to speculation that the Chinese government may increase stimulus and undertake measures to increase lending and boost growth. Traders were also catching up to gains from the Shanghai market after being market closures for holidays. The rumoured change in policy boosted financial shares and the biggest gainers were China Life Insurance up 8.73%, Ping An Insurance up 7.46% and Bank of Communications up 3.3%.
European markets are lower today after a third round of parliamentary elections in Greece failed. Greece now faces elections in January as parliament failed to elect Stavros Dimas as the new President. The parliament will now be dissolved and an election date will be called within 10 days. Currently the CAC 40 is down 0.58%, the DAX is down 0.82% and the FTSE is down 0.02%. The FTSE was originally being led higher by Royal Mail, up 4.11%, after the demise of a rival company. However, the upcoming election heightened fears over the Euro zone and its financial stability.