Markets mixed after US stocks ended mixed - 16.12.2024

The Dollar is weakening currently. The live dollar index data show the ICE US Dollar index, a measure of the dollar’s strength against a basket of six rival currencies, ended 0.1% lower on Friday.

EUR/USD reversed its retreating on Friday while GBP/USD slowed its sliding while the Office for Nantional Statistics reported UK economy contracted by an estimated 0.1% on a monthly basis in October. Both euro and Pound are higher against the Dollar currently. USD/JPY accelerated its climbing while AUD/USD continued its sliding on Friday with both the yen and Australian dollar higher against the Greenback currently.

US stock indexes futures are up currently after ending mixed on Friday as the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported prices for US imports continued rising at steady 0.1% over month rate. The three main US stock benchmarks recorded daily returns in the range from -0.2% to 0.1%.

European stock futures are mixed currently after closing lower on Friday led by healthcare and mining shares. Asian stock indexes futures are mostly retreating today with Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index leading losses while Chinese retail sales data came weaker than expected.

Brent is down currently. Prices rose over 1% on Friday amid supply concerns as European Union ambassadors agreed to impose a 15th package of sanctions on Russia this week over its war against Ukraine, targeting its shadow tanker fleet. US West Texas Intermediate WTI rose 1.8% but is lower currently. Brent gained 1.5% to $74.49 a barrel on Friday. For the week, the Brent rose 5% while WTI surged 6%.