Global markets ended Wednesday’s session with a mixed performance as investors balanced easing inflation pressures with renewed geopolitical concerns, while the United States opened to modest gains driven by technology and energy stocks.
Asia-Pacific stabilises after early weakness
Asian markets closed broadly steady after a volatile morning session driven by shifting expectations on central-bank policy.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 recovered earlier losses to finish slightly higher as exporters benefited from a softer yen. China’s Shanghai Composite closed marginally lower, reflecting ongoing caution around domestic demand and the pace of policy support. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng continued its recent fragile performance, with sentiment held back by property-sector concerns and subdued foreign inflows.
Europe edges lower despite resilient earnings
European bourses moved in a narrow range, ultimately closing lower as investors weighed softer-than-expected retail data against a continued flow of positive corporate results. The Stoxx 600 slipped modestly, with declines concentrated in consumer goods and industrials.
Germany’s DAX ended almost flat, supported by strength in automakers, while France’s CAC 40 drifted lower amid weakness in luxury stocks. Bond yields across the eurozone eased slightly as markets continued to price in a gradual shift towards rate cuts in 2025.
London pressured by energy pullback
The FTSE 100 underperformed its European peers, dragged down by a retreat in energy shares following a dip in crude prices. Financials and consumer staples offered some support, yet overall sentiment remained subdued as UK growth indicators continued to signal a slow recovery.
Sterling held within a tight range, with traders awaiting upcoming inflation data for further direction on the Bank of England’s next steps.
US markets open with mild optimism
As global markets closed, Wall Street opened modestly higher. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite posted early gains, led by technology and semiconductor names following encouraging sector forecasts.
Energy shares also advanced at the open as US crude futures stabilised after earlier losses. The Dow Jones Industrial Average opened more cautiously, with declines in healthcare partly offsetting strength in industrials.
Investors in New York looked ahead to fresh labour-market data expected later this week, with markets increasingly sensitive to indicators that may influence the Federal Reserve’s near-term policy trajectory.
Early trading suggested a preference for quality and liquidity, with market participants rotating selectively rather than adopting broad risk-on positioning.
Newshub Editorial in Global – 3 December 2025
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