Stocks Drop in Quiet Holiday Trading; Pound Jumps: Markets Wrap
- European shares, S&P futures decline after Asian peers rise
- Gilts fall as U.K., EU agree draft Brexit deal in principle
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U.S. equity futures dropped alongside European stocks on Thursday in a subdued day of trading thanks to the American Thanksgiving holiday. The pound jumped and the euro strengthened after the U.K. and EU had a breakthrough over the Brexit deal.
The Stoxx Europe 600 Index gave up a chunk of Wednesday’s advance as almost every sector fell, though trading volume was 25 percent below the 30-day average and the gauge finished above its lows on the day. Asian equity benchmarks swung between gains and losses before turning higher, with Japanese stocks getting an end-of-session boost on a report about a possible government rebate. Trading volumes in the region were also depressed.