U.S. stock-index futures fell after the gauge closed at a record for the 53rd time in 2014.

Global markets:

Nikkei 17,450.77 -279.07 -1.57%

Hang Seng 23,501.1 -272.08 -1.14%

Shanghai Composite 3,167.39 -0.62 -0.02%

FTSE 6,561.94 -71.57 -1.08%

CAC 4,274.59 -43.34 -1.00%

DAX 9,805.55 -121.58 -1.22%

Crude oil $53.25 (-0.67%)

Gold $1197.80 (+1.35%)

(company / ticker / price / change, % / volume)

Upgrades:

Downgrades:

Other:

Procter & Gamble (PG) downgraded to Neutral from Buy at BTIG Research

Microsoft (MSFT) named as top picks for 2015 at Piper Jaffray

European indices further declined led by oil & gas stocks as Brent fell to a fresh 5-1/2 year low on a global supply glut. The political turmoil in Greece further weighed on the markets. The country is heading for snap elections in January where the anti-austerity party Syriza, which opposes the bailout, could win according to polls. Furthermore, after the recent rally, a lot of investors are taking profits as the years end nears.

Eurozone's M3 money supply for December rose by +3.1% beating estimates of an increase of +2.6%, Private Loans were in line with expectations at -0.9%.

Investors are looking ahead to the S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Indices, Consumer Confidence and API Crude Oil Inventories due later in the day. Trading volumes are expected to remain light ahead of the New Year's holiday.

In today's session the FTSE 100 index dropped -0.89% quoted at 6,574.51. France's CAC 40 lost -0.82% trading at 4,282.43. Germany's DAX 30 is currently trading -0.69% at 9,858.40 points.

European indices declined from a three-week high after yesterday's rebound amid concerns over Greece's political turmoil as the ruling coalition was not able to secure enough votes in the third and final run to elect Stavros Dimas president. Now snap elections will be held next month on January 25^th, where the left-wing Syriza party could win, putting the international bailout at risk.

Eurozone's M3 money supply for December rose by +3.1% beating estimates of an increase of +2.6%, Private Loans were in line with expectations at -0.9%.

Investors are looking ahead to the S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Indices, Consumer Confidence and API Crude Oil Inventories due later in the day. Trading volumes are expected to remain light ahead of the New Year's holiday.

The FTSE 100 index is currently trading -0.63% quoted at 6,591.64 points. U.K.'s Nationwide house price index expanded less-than-predicted +0.2% in December. Analysts expected an increase by 0.3%. Germany's DAX 30 lost -0.57% trading at 9,870.45. France's CAC 40 declined by -0.67%, currently trading at 4,288.93 points.

U.S. markets closed mixed on Monday in light trading in a holiday-shortened week. The DOW JONES declined by -0.09% closing at 18,038.23 points taking a breather after smashing the 18,000 points level. The S&P 500 added +0.09% with a final quote of 2,090.57, a 53^rd consecutive record-close, gaining 13% this year while the DOW JONES is up 8.8%. Investors are looking ahead to the S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Indices, Consumer Confidence and API Crude Oil Inventories due later in the day.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng declined by -1.35% to 23,451.82 points. China's Shanghai Composite Index closed at 3,167.39 points, a small loss of -0.02% after gaining 0.7% earlier in the session and a rally of 17% this month. Over the year the index rose by 48% bolstered by a stock trading link with Hong Kong. After tomorrow Chinese stock exchanges will be closed for 2014.

Japan's Nikkei declined by -1,57% closing at 17,450.77 points on its final day of trading in 2014, still being up 7.1% this year. On Saturday the Japanese Government approved a 3.5 Trillion Yen fiscal stimulus to strengthen its economy and restore the country's public finances. Japanese markets will be closed from Wednesday to Friday.

(index / closing price / change items /% change)

Nikkei 225 17,729.84 -89.12 -0.50 %

Hang Seng 23,773.18 +423.84 +1.82 %

Shanghai Composite 3,169.13 +11.53 +0.37 %

FTSE 100 6,633.51 +23.58 +0.36 %

CAC 40 4,317.93 +22.08 +0.51 %

Xetra DAX 9,927.13 +5.02 +0.05 %

S&P 500 2,090.57 +1.80 +0.09 %

NASDAQ Composite 4,806.91 +0.05 0.00%

Dow Jones 18,038.23 -15.48 -0.09 %