By William Collins, consultant in stock markets – Eurasia Business News, December 29, 2025. Article no 1956
European stock markets were slightly higher to flat on 29 December, with the main pan-European indices hovering around record levels in thin, post‑holiday trading. Gains were modest and sector‑specific, with basic resources, technology, and healthcare providing most of the support.
Pan-European indices
The STOXX Europe 600 traded just above 588–590 points, essentially flat on the day but around its record high, with an intraday gain of roughly 0.2–0.3%. Over the past year it had risen more than 16%, underscoring strong medium‑term performance.
The Euro STOXX 50 was around 5,760–5,780 points, up about 0.3–0.5% on the session and nearly 19% year‑on‑year, reflecting continued strength in large euro‑area blue chips.
Major national markets
Germany’s DAX was slightly negative (around −0.2%) in early trading, lagging the broader European benchmark despite being near historic highs.
France’s CAC 40 and the UK’s FTSE 100 were described as “nearly flat,” with moves of about ±0.1% as trading volumes remained subdued after the Christmas and Boxing Day holidays.
The CAC 40 was very slightly higher, trading just above 8,110 points and showing roughly a 0.1% gain on the day in relatively thin, year‑end trading. It remained close to its all‑time high near 8,314 points set in November 2025, reflecting a strong performance over the year.
Sector moves
Basic resources stocks were among the best performers, benefiting from stronger precious‑metals prices and helping lift the overall STOXX 600.
Technology and healthcare shares added modest support, while defence and aerospace names underperformed, partly on headlines about potential progress toward a Ukraine peace agreement.
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European defense stocks continued to struggle amid a possible peace deal in Ukraine. Stocks fell in the morning and early afternoon but pared some losses in later trading. Shares of Leonardo fell 1.96% and Rheinmetall dropped around 1%, while Renk, Kongsberg, and Saab were also down at the close.
The Stoxx Europe aerospace and defense index was 1.53% lower.
Intraday context
European equity markets reopened after several holiday closures, leading to light volumes and relatively narrow index ranges on 29 December.
Despite the quiet session, both the STOXX 600 and Euro STOXX 50 remained on track for solid double‑digit gains for 2025 as a whole, aligning with broader global equity strength that year.
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© Copyright 2025 – Eurasia Business News. Article no. 1956
