There are signs stocks could end the Christmas week on a downbeat note. Meanwhile, the political turmoil in South Korea is weighing on its stock market and currency.
The euro was up slightly against the dollar and Societe Generale said it might take some time to recover against the greenback given unfavorable short-term interest-rate differentials.
Oil gained on market optimism around a recovery in demand for crude from China, with government support measures expected to crystallize over 2025, XS.com said.
Industrial metals have slipped in thin holiday trading but otherwise remain broadly flat on-week, as the market awaits fresh catalysts in the new year.