LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 1: Fireworks light up the London skyline over Big Ben and the London Eye just after midnight on January 1, 2023 in London, England. London’s New Years’ Eve firework display returned this year after it was cancelled during the Covid Pandemic. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
Dan Kitwood | Getty Images News | Getty Images
LONDON — European stocks are expected to open broadly lower on Wednesday, the last trading day of the year.
The U.K.’s FTSE index is seen opening 0.2% lower, Germany’s DAX and France’s CAC 40 down 0.3% and Italy’s FTSE MIB flat, according to data from IG.
Markets will only be open for a half-day of trading on Wednesday, and will be closed on Thursday for the New Year’s Day holiday before reopening on Friday.
Regional stocks extended gains to notch a fresh record high on Tuesday, with the pan-European Stoxx 600 index closing 0.7% higher. Mining stocks were the top performers, with London-listed Fresnillo gaining 6%. Peer miners Anglo American, Antofagasta, and Glencore rose around 3%, respectively.
Precious metals, notably gold and silver, were also firmly in focus for investors during the holiday-shortened trading week.
U.S. stock futures were little changed Tuesday night, as Wall Street prepared to ring out the last day of 2025. Meanwhile, Asia-Pacific stocks fell overnight; markets in Hong Kong and Australia will close early for the holidays, while Japan and South Korea are shut for the day.
There are no major data releases in Europe on Wednesday.
