Asia Markets Mixed, Europe Gains As 2024 begins; Crude Oil And Gold Up - Global Markets Today While US Was Sleeping

On Friday, December 29th, the U.S. stock markets closed in red, the last trading day of 2023, concluding a year of robust gains fueled by a strong year-end rally and prospects of relaxed monetary policy.

In economic data, the Chicago PMI dropped to 46.9 in December, a decline from November's 55.8, and fell short of the market expectations of 51.

The S&P 500, Dow, and Nasdaq recorded nine straight weeks of gains—the longest streak for the S&P 500 since January 2004 and the Dow and Nasdaq since early 2019. Overall, each of the three indexes achieved double-digit increases for the year.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average decreased 0.04%, closing at 37,689.54. The S&P 500 was down 0.28% to 4,769.83, and the Nasdaq Composite experienced a decline of 0.56%, ending the trading session at 15,011.35.

Asian Markets Today

• Japan's Nikkei 225 was closed for Market holiday.
• In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 closed Tuesday's session higher by 0.49%, ending at 7,627.80, led by gains in the Energy, Financials, and Resources sectors.
• China's Shanghai Composite declined 0.43% to 2,962.28, while the Shenzhen CSI 300 slipped 1.30%, closing at 3,386.35.
• Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index was down 1.55%, concluding the day at 16,784.00.
• The Caixin Manufacturing PMI rose to 50.8 in December, exceeding expectations of 50.4 and marginally higher than November's 50.7, marking its second consecutive month of expansion.

Eurozone at 06:00 AM ET

• The European STOXX 600 index was up 0.11%.
• Germany's DAX gained 0.41%.
• France's CAC was up 0.09%.
• The U.K.'s FTSE 100 traded higher by 0.01%.

Commodities at 06:00 AM ET

• Crude Oil WTI was trading higher by 2.51% at $73.45/bbl, and Brent was up 2.53% at $78.99/bbl.
• Oil prices rose in the New Year's opening session, fueled by potential supply issues in the Middle East and strong demand expectations in China.
• Natural Gas gained 4.34% to $2.623.
• Gold was trading higher by 0.64% at $2,085.15, Silver climbed 0.93% to $24.310, and Copper slipped 0.12% to $3.8857.

US Futures at 06:00 AM ET            

Dow futures were down 0.04%, S&P 500 futures slid 0.09%, while Nasdaq 100 Futures declined 0.26%.

Forex at 06:00 AM ET

The U.S. Dollar Index rose 0.33% to 101.67, USD/JPY was up 0.56% to 141.64, and AUD/USD gained 0.04% to 1.4679.

Photo via Wikimedia Commons