World Stocks Higher As Markets Await U.S., Japan Rate Decisions

Asian stocks saw gains Monday, while European markets opened with modest increases as investors awaited key policy decisions from the central banks of Japan and the United States, Zimo Zhong reported for the Associated Press (AP).

Futures indicated a 0.4% increase for the S&P 500, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average showed little change.

In Europe, Germany's DAX rose by 0.1% to 17,959.35, and the FTSE 100 in London edged 0.1% higher to 7,731.73. However, the CAC 40 in Paris slipped by 0.1% to 8,154.37.

Meanwhile, futures indicated a 0.4% increase for the S&P 500, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average showed little change. In Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 index surged by 2.7% to reach 39,740.44 points.

Market participants were eagerly awaiting the decision of the Bank of Japan, scheduled for Tuesday, regarding a potential increase in its benchmark interest rate. This decision could mark the first rate hike in 17 years, as the rate has remained at minus 0.1% since 2016.

In other parts of Asia, the Hang Seng index in Hong Kong increased by 0.1% to 16,737.12, and the Shanghai Composite index rose by 1% to 3,084.93. Additionally, Australia's S&P/ASX 200 saw a slight uptick of 0.1% to 7,675.80.

The Kospi index in South Korea advanced by 0.7% to 2,685.84. as the Sensex in India added 0.3%, and the SET index in Bangkok was up by 0.1%.

WEEKLY FEATURE : Jose Mari Chan And The Christmas Anthem