Analytics, News, and Forecasts for CFD Markets: stock news — 31-12-2015.

U.S. stock-index futures declined.

Global Stocks:

Nikkei Closed

Hang Seng 21,914.4 +32.25 +0.15%

Shanghai Composite 3,539.6 -33.28 -0.93%

FTSE 6,242.32 -31.73 -0.51%

CAC Closed

DAX Closed

Crude oil $36.33 (-0.74%)

Gold $1060.60 (+0.08%)

(company / ticker / price / change, % / volume)

U.S. stock indices closed lower on Wednesday amid declines in oil prices after the Energy Information Administration reported a gain in U.S. crude oil inventories.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 117.11 points, or 0.7%, to 17,603.87. The S&P 500 lost 15.00 points, or 0.7%, to 2,063.36 (all of its 10 sectors fell, led by a 1.5% decline in the energy sector). The Nasdaq Composite declined 42.09 points, or 0.8%, to 5,065.85.

U.S. pending home sales fell by 0.9% in November, while economists had expected the index to gain 0.5%. The latest decline suggests that the housing market faced difficulties in winter after a rebound at the beginning of the year.

This morning in Asia Hong Kong Hang Seng added 0.15%, or 32.25, to 21,914.40. China Shanghai Composite Index fell 0.81%, or 29.12, to 3,543.76. Japanese markets are closed today.

Asian stock indices traded mixed in the last session of 2015. Stocks in mainland China declined amid concerns over the country's economic growth.

(index / closing price / change items /% change)

S&P/ASX 200 5,319.94 +52.60 +1.00%

TOPIX 1,547.3 +3.91 +0.25%

SHANGHAI COMP 3,572.69 +8.96 +0.25%

HANG SENG 21,882.15 -117.47 -0.53%

FTSE 100 6,274.05 -40.52 -0.64 %

CAC 40 4,677.14 -24.22 -0.52 %

Xetra DAX 10,743.01 -117.13 -1.08 %

S&P 500 2,063.36 -15.00 -0.72 %

NASDAQ Composite 5,065.85 -42.09 -0.82 %

Dow Jones 17,603.87 -117.11 -0.66 %