Global stocks posted further gains on Tuesday as concerns over a cash crunch in China eased. Trading volumes were light in shortened Christmas Eve sessions.
Most markets have been strong in general over the past week following figures showing the US economy is performing better than expected.
The advance has also come despite the Federal Reserve’s decision to start reducing its monetary stimulus by US$10 billion to US$75 billion from January. Many had feared the decision to rein in its policy of quantitative easing, or QE, would be negative for stocks as the stimulus, in its various guises, has shored up markets over the past few years.
“Earlier fears that the Fed calling time on QE would knock the potential for a classic Santa rally certainly don’t seem to be living up to expectations,” analysts at Monex Capital Markets said.
European markets have risen for five sessions in a row. By mid-session Tuesday, Britain’s FTSE 100 index was up 0.3 per cent to 6,700, while France’s CAC 40 rose 0.3 per cent to 4,225. The German stock market, which hit a record high on Monday, was closed.
US stocks, which also hit records on Monday, appeared set for modest gains Tuesday. Dow futures rose 12 points to 16,250, while the broader S&P 500 futures rose a point to 1823.80. The main point of interest later will be data on durable goods orders and new home sales.