Wall Street trader Peter Tuchman wears his traditional novelty glasses while working on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange on New Year's Eve. Photograph: Bloomberg
Glenveagh Properties was among the climbers, rising 2.25 per cent to €1.64, while Glanbia added 1.4 per cent to €13.52. Energy stocks gained 2.2 per cent, and were the biggest boosts. Oil heavyweights such as BP and Shell rose 2.6 per cent and 2.1 per cent respectively, as crude prices were buoyed by expectations of more stimulus for China’s slowing economy.Data-wise, a survey showed British factory activity shrank at the fastest pace in 11 months in December, as manufacturers cut staffing levels in response to higher taxes and weak foreign demand.The pan-European Stoxx 600 index rose 0.
On the day, Vestas Wind Systems rose 6.7 per cent after the Danish wind turbine maker said it received new orders in Italy.Wall Street’s main indexes edged higher in the volatile opening hours of its first trading session of 2025 as investors pinned their hopes on a fresh political landscape and more interest rate cuts, while Tesla slid after a dour deliveries report.