(Reuters) – European stocks fell at the end of a holiday-shortened week, as traders focused on economic data for clues about the path of interest rates as well as possible changes to U.S. policies under the presidency of Donald Trump.
The pan-European STOXX 600 index was down 0.1% at 0815 GMT but looked set for a 0.7% rise for the week, marked by light trading activity as traders returned from their New Year holidays.
Swiss stocks rose 0.5% in their 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 miners and automakers, came under pressure even after a Beijing official said China would sharply increase funding for ultra-long Treasury bonds in 2025 to spur business investment and initiatives. promoting consumption.
Investors have been worried about China’s 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 $320 million in taxes following the International Chamber of Commerce ruling over its operations in Ghana.
(Reporting by Sruthi Shankar in Bengaluru; Editing by Mrigank Dhaniwala)