U.S. stock-index futures rose as data showed the world's largest economy surged in the third quarter.

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European indices extended gains for a sixth day amid a global end-of-year rally tracking gains in the U.S. markets as volumes thin out near the end of the year. French consumer spending was better-than expected. But Greece's parliament failing in a second attempt electing a new president and U.K's deficit raising weighed on the markets paring earlier gains. IF Greek Prime Minister Samaras fails in the third and final vote on December 29^th parliament will be dissolved and early elections will be held. Investors now await a set of important data today, including the GDP's final revision for the third Quarter along with new homes sales, consumer spending and durable goods. The report may show that the U.S. GDP grew more in the last quarter than anticipated.

In today's session the FTSE 100 index added +0.33% quoted at 6,598.17 points, France's CAC 40 gained +0.67% trading at 4,282.77. Germany's DAX 30 is currently trading +0.19% at 9,884.78 points.

European indices extended gains for a sixth day amid a global end-of-year rally tracking gains in the U.S. markets as volumes thin out near the end of the year. Investors will be looking to Greece today where the second round of voting for a president will be held in parliament. In the first round Prime Minister Samaras failed to achieve the two-thirds majority for his candidate. Investors will also look closely on a set of important data in the U.K published at 9:30 GMT and in the U.S. The report may show that the U.S. GDP grew more in the last quarter than anticipated.

The FTSE 100 index is currently trading +0.63% quoted at 6,618.27 points, Germany's DAX 30 added +0.35% trading at 9,900.72. France's CAC 40 rose by +0.57%, currently trading at 4,278.85 points. France's consumer spending was better-than-expected with a reading of +0.4% compared to forecasts of +0.2%. GDP on a quarterly basis was in line with expectations reading +0.3% for the third quarter. On a yearly basis the GDP declined from +0.8% to +0.4%.

U.S. markets closed higher on Friday for a fourth consecutive session despite disappointing data on Existing Home sales and ahead of a set of important data today, including the GDP's final revision for the third Quarter along with new homes sales, consumer spending and durable goods.. The DOW JONES added +0.87% closing at 17,959.44 points, only 41 points short of the 18,000 points mark. The S&P 500 added +0.38% with a final quote of 2,078.54. It was the 50^th record closing high for the index this year. Markets continue to be broadly supported by the FED's "patient" approach to hike benchmark interest rates.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng declined by -0.36% to 23,323.18 points. China's Shanghai Composite closed at 3,035.01 points, a slump of -2.96% after investors took profit after the recent rally.

Japan's Nikkei was closed today due to a holiday.