Overview
Equities are finishing the holiday-shortened week on a firm note, encouraged by strong holiday internet sales in the US. Most markets in the Asia-Pacific region advanced except China and Thailand, while Japanese markets were mixed after weak industrial output and retail sales. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index rose for the fourth consecutive week. Europe's Dow Jones Stoxx 600 is pushing to new record highs in its third straight weekly advance. It has only fallen in three weeks here in Q4. US shares are trading firmer, and the S&P 500 is set to extend its