Monday, stock markets were closed for Christmas Day.
Tuesday, stocks closed little changed in Europe but gained slightly in Asia and rose 0.5% in the U.S. on 10B shares traded. Precious metals advanced about 1%.
Wednesday, stocks gained 1.4% in Asia and closed up slightly in Europe and the U.S. on 12B shares traded. The 10-Year U.S. Treasury bond yield fell 3% to end at 3.79. Precious metals gained 1%.
Thursday, stocks rose 1.4% in Asia but closed little changed in Europe and in the U.S. on 10B shares traded. The 10-Year U.S. Treasury bond yield fell 2% to end at 3.85. Precious metals fell 1% and their miners lost three times that amount. Here’s an article explaining that banks are still not in good shape.
Friday, stocks closed up slightly in Europe but ended little changed in Europe and the U.S. on 11B shares traded. The NASDAQ ended the year below its 15,000 benchmark. For the year, stocks gained 11% and precious metals advanced 7%. Finally, the Federal Reserve balance sheet declined 11B to 7.13T.