Nikkei 225

One day after the biggest drop in US stocks in over two months, taking the Dow ever further from the "promised" Dow 20000, global stocks struggled as they tried to close out 2016 on a positive note. The dollar dropped the most in two weeks, sliding alongside bond yields, while oil retreated from its highest close in 17 months as investors prepared to close out a volatile year for financial markets. European stocks slid from a 2016 peak, and extended losses for 2016 after briefly going green for the year.

As expected, global markets continue to trade very subdued with negligible volumes (overnight the Nikkei traded 40% below its 20DMA) in the quasi-holiday week in which as Nanex showed earlier, this morning the E-mini is the 8th most actively traded future (where it usually is #1 or #2).

S&P500 futures are 8th most actively traded since midnight (usually #1 or 2)1) Crude2) EuroFx3) Gold4) Copper5) Yen6) Brent7) FTSE

— Eric Scott Hunsader (@nanexllc) December 28, 2016

Global markets continued their levitation with the UK returning from vacation, pushing the MSCI Asia Pacific Index higher for the first time in seven days, while oil headed for the longest winning streak in almost seven years ahead of the promised OPEC production cut which is set to begin in just days.

Most world markets have reopened following the holiday weekend, but trading volumes remain significantly muted. Asian and European shares advance modestly amid low volumes with U.K. and Ireland closed; S&P futures are little changed while the dollar rose and oil extended its longest winning streak in four months.

With most global market closed for Christmas holiday, and traders taking the day and the week off, global stocks traded mixed in thin, subdued conditions as the dollar dipped against the yen, with the USDJPY sliding for a fourth straight day to 117, while the EUR was flat at 1.0450, taking stock of the US 10Y yield which closed lower on Friday.