Page 24 - Patricko Hare News Today

Asia-Pacific stocks track Wall Street higher

Boosted by optimism, the three main indexes on Wall Street ended higher on Thursday, and Asia-Pacific markets followed suit.

Asia-Pacific stocks rose on Friday as a Wall Street rebound brought some cheer to the region's markets on the last trading day of the year.

US and European stocks wobbled on Friday despite a key gauge showing inflation to be slowing, as investors remain concerned about recession risks.

A mini stocks rally triggered by positive US economic data faltered on Thursday (New York time), while the yen held onto gains against the dollar after surging earlier in the week.

LONDON - US and European stocks fell on Friday despite a key gauge showing inflation to be slowing, as investors remain concerned about recession risks.

The Fed has made clear it is willing to push the US economy into recession to bring inflation back down.

European and US stocks traded firmly higher Wednesday, lifted by US company earnings reports and cheerier consumer confidence data. 

Equity markets often experience a so-called Santa rally, when prices rise during thin year-end trading dominated by small investors in a festive mood.

The yen soared to a four-month high against the dollar Tuesday after a surprise tweak to monetary policy by the Bank of Japan, which decided against hiking