LONDON — European markets were lower on Thursday, the final trading day of a year dominated by the coronavirus pandemic and extraordinary stimulus measures that have tried to mitigate the economic hit from the health crisis.
The pan-European Stoxx 600 index was 0.3% lower on New Year's Eve, with all sectors in negative territory apart from the retail sector.
London's FTSE index was down 1.3% on the final day that the U.K. is a de-facto member of the EU's single market and customs union before Brexit is definitively implemented.
U.K. banks, retailers and home builders were among the stocks trading lower Thursday, with sentiment likely affected by both Brexit uncertainty and further restrictions on public life announced by the U.K. government on Wednesday due to the rate of coronavirus infection.
Year-to-date, the Stoxx 600 index is down 3.7%, however it is up nearly 11% for the quarter. Looking at individual indexes, the FTSE is down 13% year-to-date, the French CAC 40 down 6.3%, German DAX up 3.5% and Italy's FTSE MIB down 5.4%. The worst-performing market in the region has been Spain's IBEX, down 15% this year.
China factory output data
All European markets will likely end 2020 on a somber note, following lackluster end-of-year trade in Asia and with U.S. stock futures largely flat early Thursday morning. All markets in Europe will close early on Thursday, by 1 p.m. London time.
Shares in Asia-Pacific were mixed on Thursday, as multiple markets in the region also closed early for New Year's Eve. Chinese shares rose in afternoon trade, however, after China said its factory activity expanded in December.
In addition, it was announced Wednesday that China and the EU had agreed to an investment deal that will give firms in Europe more access to Chinese markets. Negotiations had stalled earlier this year prior to the U.S. presidential election in November.
In individual stocks news, Airbus shares slipped 1% after U.S. trade officials said they were increasing tariffs on certain EU products, including aircraft-related parts and wines from France and Germany. The move is the latest action in a 16-year dispute over civil aviation subsidies involving Europe-based Airbus and its U.S.-based competitor Boeing.
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December 31, 2020 at 02:22PM
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Europe shares set to log yearly losses of 3.75% as coronavirus and stimulus dominate 2020 - CNBC
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