Global Stocks Mixed in Thin Trade

Global stocks were mixed on Monday in thin trade toward the end-of-the-year holiday, with markets lacking fresh trading cues.

The Stoxx Europe 600 was little changed in early trade and was down 0.2%. Germany's DAX was flat, while France's CAC was down 0.4%.

U.S. stocks slipped Thursday but still posted their biggest weekly gains in more than a month after investors bought shares in the troubled energy sector in a holiday-shortened week. The slump in commodity prices this year has dragged on stocks in the energy and materials sectors.

Crude oil prices fell again on Monday in Asia and Europe, ending a brief rally seen last week following a drop in U.S. oil stockpiles.

Brent crude oil was last down 1.5% at $37.32 a barrel, with prices remaining near multiyear lows.

Asian bourses were also mixed, with Tokyo bucking an overall negative trend despite a weaker reading in industrial output and retail sales in November, the latest signal of weakness in the country's economy.

The Nikkei Stock Average rose 104.29 points, or 0.6%, to 18873.35 following a 1.1% fall last week, led by gains in Panasonic, Takashimaya and Toray Industries.

The Shanghai Composite Index was down 2.6% at 3533.78. China aims to loosen initial public offerings controls by May. This will make approvals for new listings easier and more of a bureaucratic matter, rather than a policy matter, potentially uncorking a flood of IPO supply. Traders are concerned that a potential flood of new equity supply, via the newly liberalized listing process, will weaken demand for existing stock.

Markets in London and Australia remained closed Monday in observance of Boxing Day.

In currencies, the dollar was a tad higher against the yen during Monday's trading session in Asia, as the greenback failed to maintain gains from midmorning buying amid a lack of fresh trading cues.

"The dollar lacks clear direction," given many other overseas markets still being closed, said a Japanese brokerage house analyst. "But the dollar was not falling as was previously feared."

At 0845 GMT the dollar was up 0.1% against the yen at 120.5 yen. The euro was flat against the dollar at $1.097.

Gold was down 0.3% at $1,072 an ounce.

Write to Giada Zampano at giada.zampano@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

December 28, 2015 06:35 ET (11:35 GMT)

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