U.S markets finished lower, losing their record levels. Markets declined as U.S data missed expectations and oil prices dropped to a new 5 year low. U.S CB Consumer Confidence was expected to show the highest figure seen in 7 years but missed expectations hitting sentiment. Markets were also due a break after a week-long rally. The Dow Jones lost 0.31% and fell to 17,983.07. The S&P 500 lost 0.49% closing at 2,080.35. The main decliners in the Dow Jones were Caterpillar which lost 1.2%, Intel which lost 1.13%, Microsoft which lost 0.91% , Walt Disney which lost 0.84% and McDonald’s which lost 0.83%.
Asian markets climbed. The Nikkei remained closed for a holiday and will remain so until next week. The Hang Seng added 0.44% after being open for just half a day. The HSBC Manufacturing PMI was released and slightly beat expectations at 49.6. Financial shares were the biggest gainers of the index; China Resources Enterprise added 2.65%, China Life Insurance added 2.18%, Bank of Communications Co added 2.12% and Bank of China added 1.86%. The Shanghai Index gained 2.18% making it the top performing equity market of the year. The index was boost by the trading link and as it caught up from strong losses last year.
European markets finished higher today as they pared losses during a shortened trading day. The DAX remained closed as traders took the New Year Holiday early. The FTSE 100 closed 0.42% and the CAC 40 closed 0.6% higher. The FTSE was led higher by Kingfisher which gained 3.13%, Barratt Developments which gained 2.59% and Taylor Wimpey which gained 2.53%.
December 31, 2014 – Indices News
U.S markets finished lower, losing their record levels. Markets declined as U.S data missed expectations and oil prices dropped to a new 5 year low. U.S CB Consumer Confidence was expected to show the highest figure seen in 7 years but missed expectations hitting sentiment. Markets were also due a break after a week-long rally. The Dow Jones lost 0.31% and fell to 17,983.07. The S&P 500 lost 0.49% closing at 2,080.35. The main decliners in the Dow Jones were Caterpillar which lost 1.2%, Intel which lost 1.13%, Microsoft which lost 0.91% , Walt Disney which lost 0.84% and McDonald’s which lost 0.83%.
Asian markets climbed. The Nikkei remained closed for a holiday and will remain so until next week. The Hang Seng added 0.44% after being open for just half a day. The HSBC Manufacturing PMI was released and slightly beat expectations at 49.6. Financial shares were the biggest gainers of the index; China Resources Enterprise added 2.65%, China Life Insurance added 2.18%, Bank of Communications Co added 2.12% and Bank of China added 1.86%. The Shanghai Index gained 2.18% making it the top performing equity market of the year. The index was boost by the trading link and as it caught up from strong losses last year.
European markets finished higher today as they pared losses during a shortened trading day. The DAX remained closed as traders took the New Year Holiday early. The FTSE 100 closed 0.42% and the CAC 40 closed 0.6% higher. The FTSE was led higher by Kingfisher which gained 3.13%, Barratt Developments which gained 2.59% and Taylor Wimpey which gained 2.53%.
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