Latest data released by UK Nationwide Building Society – 30 December 2020
– +0.9%
– House prices +7.3% vs +6.4% y/y expected
– Prior +6.5%
Annual house price growth continues to accelerate into the year-end, with the UK housing market showing little signs of slowing down. The stamp duty holiday continues to fuel activity in the housing sector

Will Republicans keep hold of the Senate or can Democrats seize control?
The two runoff elections will take place on 5 January next year i.e. next Tuesday, with plenty on the line in determining how US politics will shape up under Biden’s administration over the coming year(s).

European stocks trade higher, US futures also bolstered by stimulus checks
S&P 500 futures are also up by ~0.5% and that is feeding into a more positive risk narrative in the market amid thinner liquidity conditions going into the year-end.

Gold gains remain limited going into the year-end
Amid thinner market conditions, gold doesn’t much to work with as the year winds down as buyers are finding it tough to build further momentum after a solid December.

Dollar keeps weaker across the board today
The key happening in the market is that , with the Senate set to convene later today. That is keeping risk sentiment in a more positive mood as the year winds down, with the dollar slumping amid thinner liquidity conditions.

Nikkei 225 breaks above 27,000 for the first time since 1991
The Nikkei closed higher by a stunning 2.7% today before the final day of trading tomorrow and while window dressing may be part of a factor, the jump today breaks the consolidation period since the pause after the November rally.

EU ambassadors give the green light for a Brexit deal

A trade deal was agreed but negotiations won’t stop there
Although both sides have come to some agreement on trade, Brexit isn’t quite over just yet as we look towards the new year.

DAX trades to a fresh record high to start European morning trade
That is keeping the risk mood tilted towards the optimistic side in the final trading week with equities gaining and bonds slumping.

Gove building up further optimism going into the new year
The UK is widely expected to approve the AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine in the coming days, with the rollout then set to begin in the first week of January. The announcement is expected some time this week, as early as tomorrow so watch out for that.