Asian markets ended mostly lower, while volume was light in Europe ahead of the long Christmas weekend
Stocks in Asia ended mostly lower today, though
continued strength in oil stocks helped Hong Kong's Hang Seng rack up a 0.4% gain ahead of its long holiday weekend. Elsewhere in the region, Chinese insurance stocks were mixed after regulators set forth stricter disclosure requirements for investments, while a stronger yen kept Tokyo-listed stocks under pressure. By the close, China's Shanghai Composite fell 0.6%, Japan's Nikkei dipped 0.5%, and South Korea's Kospi lost 0.4%.
European markets are little changed in an abbreviated, low-volume trading session, with traders playing it safe ahead of the extended Christmas weekend. London's FTSE 100 finished up 0.2%, while France's CAC 40 is off 0.3% at last look. Markets in Germany are closed for holiday.
