(Reuters) – European stocks fell at the end of a holiday-shortened week, with traders focusing on economic data for clues on the path of interest rates as well as possible changes in US policies under the presidency of Donald Trump.
By 0815 GMT, the European STOXX 600 index fell 0.1 percent, but is heading towards achieving a 0.7 percent rise this week, amid light trading activity as traders return from the New Year holiday.
Swiss stocks rose 0.5% in the first trading session of 2025, while Germany’s DAX fell 0.2% and France’s CAC 40 fell 0.5%.
Sectors exposed to China, such as mining companies and automakers, came under pressure even after a Beijing official said China would sharply increase financing from ultra-long-term Treasuries in 2025 to stimulate business investment and consumer boosting initiatives.
Investors are concerned about the Chinese economy and the looming trade war with the United States ahead of Donald Trump’s presidential inauguration on January 20.
Among stocks, Tullow Oil rose 12.5% after the West Africa-based company said it would not have to pay taxes on $320 million following an International Chamber of Commerce ruling on its operations in Ghana.
(Reporting by Sruthi Shankar in Bengaluru; Editing by Mrigank Dhaniwala)
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