AFP, London :
Global stock markets mostly rose on Friday, with miners buoyed by higher metal prices, as investors shrugged off a looming shutdown of the US government.
Most equities markets rose as investors took a shine to advancing prices of many metals like gold and copper.
Star performer Frankfurt rallied to stand 1.2-percent higher in early afternoon deals, with steelmaker Thyssenkrupp jumping 4.2 percent higher.
Gains in London were held back by poor UK retail sales data.
“A strong start for commodity stocks comes amid strengthening copper, iron ore, and gold prices,” noted IG analyst Joshua Mahony.
“Meanwhile, a disappointing set of retail sales figures should be put in the context of shifting shopping habits,” he cautioned.
British retail sales slid 1.5 percent in December from the previous month after consumers had brought forward their Christmas shopping, official data showed.
Retail sales had already jumped by 1.0 percent in November, boosted by Black Friday price reductions, the Office for National Statistics said.
Asian markets mostly rose Friday after another positive week across trading floors.
Gains were also tempered by lingering worries over a potential US government shutdown.
Wall Street stocks were flat or ticked higher at the open, having closed lower on Thursday as Washington lawmakers bickered over a federal funding deal, which must be passed by midnight on Friday US time.
The House of Representatives passed a bill on Thursday but there are increasing concerns the Republicans do not have enough votes in the Senate to send the budget to President Donald Trump’s desk.
Failure to find agreement-with Democrats looking for concessions on immigration-would see various parts of government shut down. Trump told reporters a closure “could very well” happen.
Global stock markets mostly rose on Friday, with miners buoyed by higher metal prices, as investors shrugged off a looming shutdown of the US government.
Most equities markets rose as investors took a shine to advancing prices of many metals like gold and copper.
Star performer Frankfurt rallied to stand 1.2-percent higher in early afternoon deals, with steelmaker Thyssenkrupp jumping 4.2 percent higher.
Gains in London were held back by poor UK retail sales data.
“A strong start for commodity stocks comes amid strengthening copper, iron ore, and gold prices,” noted IG analyst Joshua Mahony.
“Meanwhile, a disappointing set of retail sales figures should be put in the context of shifting shopping habits,” he cautioned.
British retail sales slid 1.5 percent in December from the previous month after consumers had brought forward their Christmas shopping, official data showed.
Retail sales had already jumped by 1.0 percent in November, boosted by Black Friday price reductions, the Office for National Statistics said.
Asian markets mostly rose Friday after another positive week across trading floors.
Gains were also tempered by lingering worries over a potential US government shutdown.
Wall Street stocks were flat or ticked higher at the open, having closed lower on Thursday as Washington lawmakers bickered over a federal funding deal, which must be passed by midnight on Friday US time.
The House of Representatives passed a bill on Thursday but there are increasing concerns the Republicans do not have enough votes in the Senate to send the budget to President Donald Trump’s desk.
Failure to find agreement-with Democrats looking for concessions on immigration-would see various parts of government shut down. Trump told reporters a closure “could very well” happen.
