Squawk Box Europe Express

European equities kick off the first trading day of the new year on a positive note, with the FTSE 100 breaking past 10,000 points for the first time. U.K. house prices unexpectedly fell in December according to data from Nationwide, which is the weakest growth since April 2024. And, we discuss the outlook for the Federal Reserve in 2026, with a new chair, further questions over its independence and an AI boom all in its in-tray.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

European markets start the final trading day of the year relatively flat, but the benchmark Stoxx 600 remains on course to notch its best annual performance since 2021. Silver prices move lower following a volatile year which has seen the precious metal rise by more than 150 per cent. Ukraine continues to deny an alleged drone attack on President Putin’s compound in the north-western Novgorod region while Russia deploys nuclear-capable ‘Oreshnik’ ICBMs to Belarus.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

European markets edge into the green with the Stoxx 600 still on course to notch its best annual performance since 2021. Investors are now awaiting minutes from the FOMC later today. Russia vows to respond, following alleged Ukrainian drones targeting President Putin’s state residence in the northwestern Novgorod region, which threatens to derail peace talks between the two countries. Precious metal prices move higher with copper leading the charge, recording its highest annual rise in more than 15 years.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Precious metals are seeing profit taking this morning after a strong rally last week saw the likes of gold and silver continue their strong years. On the flip side, cyptocurrencies are higher today, after a fourth quarter rout had previously spoiled any hopes of a Santa rally. Geopolitics continues to dominate the holiday period, with Trump and Zelenskyy meeting this past weekend at the White House to hammer out the details of a potential peace deal. The two leaders praised progress in negotiations, with Zelenskyy emphasing the strides made on security guarentees, a key sticking point for his country and the Europeans. Elsewhere, Ubisoft dives after one of its games was hacked over Christmas. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

European markets see meagre trading volumes this Christmas Eve but the Stoxx 600 is due to record its best annual trading performance since 2021. The U.S. GDP data comes in far hotter than expected, prompting investors to dial down expectations of a Fed rate cut while the S&P 500 sees yet another record session. BP shares surge after the British oil giant sells off its majority stake in its Castrol lubricants unit to U.S. infrastructure firm Stonepeak for $6bn. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.