Asian stocks advanced in thin holiday trading on Friday after the S&P 500 closed higher for a fifth straight day in a shortened session on Wednesday ahead of the Christmas holidays. Regional trading volumes, remained thin, with markets in Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong and much of Europe shut for...
December 26, 2025 08:42 ET Third quarter economic growth data from some major economies including the U.S. were the main news in this holiday shortened week. GDP growth and industrial production data from the U.S. helped to boost morale, while the consumer confidence survey results were less upbeat. In Europe, the quarterly economic growth data from the U.K. drew attention, while the minutes of the Australian central bank’s latest policy session was in focus in Asia.