The article discusses various market news and updates from around the world, including:
- US stocks: US stocks look set to open lower later on.
- Crypto prices: Bitcoin (BTC-USD) fell to hover near the $96,000 level as volatile trading continued.
- Gold prices: Gold prices saw a modest decline amid thin year-end trading, but remained poised to post gains for the week.
- UK retailers in financial distress: The number of UK retailers in ‘critical financial distress’ rose by 25% quarter-on-quarter.
- Kospi lower as political turmoil continues: Korea’s KOSPI Composite index finished 1% lower due to ongoing political turmoil.
- Hang Seng and SSE Composite: Hong Kong’s Hang Seng (^HSI) finished almost flat, while China’s SSE Composite (000001.SS) was slightly higher.
- Nikkei rallies: Japan’s Nikkei rallied 1.8%, putting the index on course for its best year-end close since 1989.
The article also mentions that US stocks struggled to extend a ‘Santa Claus’ rally, and small cap stocks inched higher while sending the Russell 2000 (^RUT) up 0.9%.
