Major European indices close with solid gains

The European major indices cheered on the lower inflation reading for the second consecutive day. Today France's preliminary CPI came in lower than expectations. Warm weather and lower energy prices are also a contributing factor to the better tone.

The German DAX had its best day since November 10. France's CAC its best since November 4.

The final numbers are showing:

• German DAX rose 2.15%
• France's CAC rose 2.35%
• UK's FTSE 100 up 0.36%
• Spain's Ibex +1.89%
• Italy's FTSE MIB +1.65%

As London/European traders look to exit, the US stock market Stock Market A stock or equity market is defined as the aggregation of buyers and sellers of stocks, which reflect ownership claims on businesses.These may also include securities listed on a public stock exchange, as well as stock that is only traded privately. Common examples of this include shares of private companies that are sold to investors through equity crowdfunding platforms.Unlike the past, the stock market has grown to include a more mature retail market, though nearly all investment is still don A stock or equity market is defined as the aggregation of buyers and sellers of stocks, which reflect ownership claims on businesses.These may also include securities listed on a public stock exchange, as well as stock that is only traded privately. Common examples of this include shares of private companies that are sold to investors through equity crowdfunding platforms.Unlike the past, the stock market has grown to include a more mature retail market, though nearly all investment is still don Read this Term is trading to new session highs and what has been an up-and-down trading session:

• Dow Industrial Average +202 points or 0.60%. The Dow Industrial Average traded as low as -102.90 point before reversing higher
• S&P index up 40.27 points or 1.05%. The S&P index reached a low of -8.36 points before rebounding
• NASDAQ NASDAQ The Nasdaq Stock Market or NASDAQ is an American stock exchange. It trails only the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in market capitalization and is part of a network of stock markets and options exchanges.Launched back in 1971, NASDAQ is the acronym for the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations. Since then it is known simply as NASDAQ and has become one of the most influential exchanges worldwide.The NASDAQ was the world’s first electronic stock market, and has since ass The Nasdaq Stock Market or NASDAQ is an American stock exchange. It trails only the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in market capitalization and is part of a network of stock markets and options exchanges.Launched back in 1971, NASDAQ is the acronym for the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations. Since then it is known simply as NASDAQ and has become one of the most influential exchanges worldwide.The NASDAQ was the world’s first electronic stock market, and has since ass Read this Term index of 108 points or 1.04 percent. The NASDAQ index reached a low of -49.34 points before rebounding

For the S&P index a close above 3822 today would give the index a gain during the so-called Santa Claus rally. The last five trading days of the year and the first two trading days of the new year define the Santa Claus. Where traditionally, stocks rise. With the index currently at 3867, it is up 1.18% over that time period. The Dow Industrial Average is up around 1% and the NASDAQ index is up 0.34%.