World markets report
On Friday the FTSE 100 index rose 0.3% to close at 5,262. Miners were firm, offsetting weakness in banks and energy stocks.
On Friday the FTSE 100 index rose 0.3% to close at 5,262. Miners were firm, offsetting weakness in banks and energy stocks. Kazakhyms, Lonmin, Vedanta, Xstrata, Antofagasta, Fresnillo and BHP Billiton all saw rises between 1.4% and 3%. Some defensive shares also did well, with drug makers AstraZeneca up 1% and GlaxoSmithKline rising 0.4%, while cigarette makers Imperial Tobacco and BAT were both up 1%.
The latest stock market news and charts.
Europe
The Paris CAC 40 rose 5 points to 3,803 and the German Xetra Dax was 47 points higher at 5,756.
Subscribe to MoneyWeek
Subscribe to MoneyWeek today and get your first six magazine issues absolutely FREE
Sign up to Money Morning
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
US
Stocks broadly ended up, too. The Dow Jones rose 0.6% to 10,472; the S&P 500 added 0.4% to 1,106; but the Nasdaq Composite was flat at 2,190.
Asia
The Nikkei 225 was almost unchanged at 10,106; and the broader Topix index dropped 0.4% to close at 885. In China, the Shanghai Composite index climbed 1.7% to 3,303; and the CSI 300 added 1.1% to 3,613.
Commodities
Brent spot was trading at $71.34 early today, and in New York, crude oil was at $72.04. Spot gold was trading at $1,124 an ounce, silver was at $17.28 and platinum was at $1,431.
Currencies
In the forex markets this morning, sterling was trading against the US dollar at 1.6222 and against the euro at 1.106. The dollar was trading at 0.6820 against the euro and 88.64 against the Japanese yen.
UK news
This morning, investors were encouraged by news that Dubai has been given a $10bn bailout from neighbour Abu Dhabi. This will enable Dubai to repay its immediate debt obligations.
Sign up to Money Morning
Our team, led by award winning editors, is dedicated to delivering you the top news, analysis, and guides to help you manage your money, grow your investments and build wealth.
-
Energy bills to rise by 1.2% in January 2025
Energy bills are set to rise 1.2% in the New Year when the latest energy price cap comes into play, Ofgem has confirmed
By Dan McEvoy Published
-
Should you invest in Trainline?
Ticket seller Trainline offers a useful service – and good prospects for investors
By Dr Matthew Partridge Published