Global Roundup: Europe Hits Records While Commodities See "Flash Crashes"

As 2025 concludes, European shares reach all-time peaks while the commodity market faces extreme volatility. A look at the STOXX 600’s record run and the wild swings in gold and silver.

While the US and China dominated headlines, the pan-European STOXX 600 quietly hit a new record peak today. The index is finishing 2025 with strong double-digit gains, led by a rebound in basic resources and mining stocks. Germany's DAX and the UK's FTSE 100 have benefited from a "Santa Rally," as easing energy costs and stabilizing inflation across the Eurozone have given the European Central Bank (ECB) room to be more flexible with its policy.

The most dramatic action of the year-end, however, occurred in the commodities market. Silver experienced a "flash crash," hitting a record high of $84 per ounce before plunging 12% in a single session due to major futures liquidations. Gold followed a similar, albeit less extreme, path—falling to $4,350 before rebounding as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and concerns over US-Venezuela relations kept "safe-haven" demand alive.

Looking at the global picture for 2026, the MSCI World Equity Index is poised to end the year with a 21% gain. The primary risk factors shifting into the new year include the ongoing trade disputes and the potential for a "second wave" of inflation if consumer demand remains too hot. For now, the global market narrative is one of resilience, with the transition from a high-interest-rate era to a growth-focused environment appearing mostly successful.