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European markets close lower on last full trading day of 2024
European markets closed in the red on Monday, the last full trading session of the year. Markets in Europe saw limited trading as markets prepared to close for the New Year holiday.
The pan-European Stoxx 600 index ended the session down 0.48%, with most sectors in negative territory. Technology, industrial and media stocks led the losses, while oil and gas stocks saw gains.
Elsewhere, the UK’s FTSE 100 fell 0.34%.
Germany’s DAX index fell 0.38%.
France’s CAC 40 index also fell 0.59%.
Markets are retreating ahead of the New Year holiday, with exchanges in the region set to close early or shut down completely on Tuesday until January 2.
European stocks look set to end the year with moderate gains. The Stoxx 600 has risen about 5.5% so far this year, but it is still far behind the S&P 500, which has gained about 25% over the course of 2024.
At the bottom of the Stoxx 600 on Monday morning, London-listed British online grocery retailer Ocado was down 4.2% after reports last week that many Christmas deliveries were missing essential items.
Ocado said in an emailed statement that a small proportion of seasonal orders had not been delivered as expected and that it had apologised to those affected.
Airbus shares fell 0.6%, while Dassault Aviation, a maker of military and business jets, rose 1.6%.
