FXStreet (Mumbai) – The pan-European Euro Stoxx 600 equity index fell 0.15% amid thin volumes ahead of the Christmas day holiday.

Markets in the UK, France and the Netherlands are scheduled to close early, while Germany, Switzerland and Italy are shut all day.

Second weekly gain, Up 7% this year

European stocks are heading for a second weekly gain on the back of a rally in the mining and energy shares. The stocks were heading for a worst December since 2002 before the 2.7% rise witnessed yesterday.

The Stoxx 600 has advanced 7% this year through yesterday. Stocks were up 21% earlier this year before falling on multiple concerns – Greek crisis, Chinese slowdown and rout in commodities.

The pan-European Euro Stoxx 600 equity index fell 0.15% amid thin volumes ahead of the Christmas day holiday.

(Market News Provided by FXstreet)

By FXOpen