Global Stocks: Indices weighed down by oil prices and growth concerns

U.S. markets were trading lower on Monday on mixed U.S. data and falling oil prices. The DOW JONES lost -0.58% closing at 17,180.84 points, the S&P 500 declined -0.63%, with a final quote of 1,989.63 points. The U.S. industrial production increased 1.3% in November, exceeding expectations for a 0.8% rise, after a 0.1% gain in October. That was the highest rise since May 2010. October's figure was revised up from a 0.1% decrease. The NAHB housing market index fell to 57.0 in December from 58.0 in November, missing expectations for a rise to 59.0. The NY Fed Empire State manufacturing index dropped to -3.6 in November from 10.2 in October. That was the first negative reading since January 2013. Analysts had expected the index to rise to 12.1. Analysts had expected the index to rise to 12.1. Markets now look ahead to the final policy meeting of the FED in 2014 taking place today and tomorrow.

Chinese stocks added gains while trading in Hong Kong was negative. Hong Kong's Hang Seng is trading -1.25% at 22,740.63. China's Shanghai Composite closed at 3,021.26 points, a gain of +2.30% surpassing the 3,000 points mark. With the Chinese PMI falling below 50 market participants expect further stimulus measures from the PBoC.

Japan's Nikkei lost -2.01% closing at 16,755.32 as declining oil prices and concerns over global economic growth boosted the Japanese yen as a safe haven and put pressure on exporter stocks. The Nikkei closed at its lowest since the surprise stimulus of the BoJ on October 31^st.