Market Headlines – 18/12/2017

US

• US. stocks gained with the dollar as investors assessed messages from the Federal Reserve and European Central Bank meetings this week with concerns lingering about the prospects for U.S. tax overhaul.
• Uncertainty surrounding the fate of U.S. tax reform continues as investors look to the end of a stellar year for equities.

Europe

• The Stoxx Europe 600 Index was lower with retailers leading the decline as H&M plunged after reporting a slump in quarterly sales.
• The euro headed for its first weekly advance of the month after the ECB remained cautious about the prospects of reaching its inflation goals while reiterating a pledge to keep stimulus in place.
• In the UK, the pound dropped and yields on U.K. gilts fell to the lowest since September amid speculation of difficult Brexit talks ahead.

Asia

• In Asia overnight Japanese stocks gained 1.5% while Chinese stocks were little changed rising just 0.1%.