European markets head for mixed open with all eyes on French confidence vote

European markets head for mixed open with all eyes on French confidence vote


South Korean stocks nosedive

Members and supporters of South Korean opposition parties gather in front of the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024.

Bloomberg | Getty Images

South Korea’s financial markets took a downward turn on Wednesday, as an outbreak of political turmoil left investors uncertain about the country’s prospects.

A coalition of South Korean lawmakers plans to begin impeachment proceedings against President Yoon Suk Yeoul, after he unexpectedly imposed martial law — a decision that triggered protests in Seoul, before being reversed in the country’s parliament within a matter of hours.  

The South Korean Kospi index shed 1.4% by 6:42 a.m. London time, while the Kosdaq was trading around 2% lower. The Korean won erased some of its losses from Tuesday, with the U.S. dollar standing at around 1,410.31 won during early trades.  

Read the full story.

Chloe Taylor

CNBC Pro: ‘We really like the U.S.’ Julius Baer portfolio manager says. Here’s where she sees opportunity

At a time when investors are mixed on the U.S. market, one portfolio manager remains optimistic and sees reason to stay invested over the longer-term.

“We really like the U.S. Now that the election result is clear and behind us, we can reasonably assume a higher growth rate in the U.S., and that’s probably going to lead to an end of year rally,” Aneka Beneby, portfolio manager at Julius Baer International said, revealing segments she sees opportunities in.

CNBC Pro subscribers can read more here.

— Amala Balakrishner

CNBC Pro: How are investors trading France’s political chaos?

The French government is on the brink of collapse this week and investors are gearing up for a volatile week of trading, with some eyeing opportunities amid the chaos.

Investors have shared how they’re trading French bonds and laid out what could happen if the government falls, and other scenarios.

CNBC Pro subscribers can read more here.

— Ganesh Rao

European markets: Here are the opening calls

European markets are expected to open higher Tuesday.

The U.K.’s FTSE 100 index is expected to open 18 points higher at 8,322, Germany’s DAX up 15 points at 19,922, France’s CAC up 29 points at 7,245 and Italy’s FTSE MIB up 43 points at 33,601, according to data from IG.

Data releases Tuesday include U.K. retail sales and Spanish unemployment figures.

— Holly Ellyatt



Source

Nine of the largest pharma companies ink deals with Trump to lower drug prices
World

Nine of the largest pharma companies ink deals with Trump to lower drug prices

President Donald Trump signs an executive order aimed at reducing the cost of prescription drugs and pharmaceuticals by 30% to 80% during an event in the Roosevelt Room of the White House on May 12, 2025, in Washington, DC. Andrew Harnik | Getty Images Several of the largest U.S. and European-based drugmakers inked deals with […]

Read More
Google’s boomerang year: 20% of AI software engineers hired in 2025 were ex-employees
World

Google’s boomerang year: 20% of AI software engineers hired in 2025 were ex-employees

Sundar Pichai, chief executive officer of Alphabet Inc., during the Bloomberg Tech conference in San Francisco, California, US, on Wednesday, June 4, 2025. David Paul Morris | Bloomberg | Getty Images With the AI talent wars heating up between companies like OpenAI, Meta and Anthropic, one way Google has been competing is by aggressively rehiring […]

Read More
Claire’s new owner Ames Watson feuds with Asia-based suppliers over millions in unpaid debt
World

Claire’s new owner Ames Watson feuds with Asia-based suppliers over millions in unpaid debt

Chris Ratcliffe | Bloomberg | Getty Images Tween retailer Claire’s is facing legal challenges from some of its Asia-based suppliers over millions in unpaid debts as it tries to emerge from a second bankruptcy under new ownership, according to claims the suppliers filed in Hong Kong.  The clash with vendors comes as private equity firm […]

Read More