Global equities tick up ahead of Biden speech

• European stocks end slightly higher
• Focus turns to Biden's stimulus speech
• US weekly jobless claims jump to 5-month high

European bourses finished today's session slightly higher after data showed Germany's economy shrank by a smaller-than-expected 5% in 2020. At the same time, export data from Chaina raised optimism over a quicker economic recovery in 2021. Markets ignore the latest ECB minutes which showed, policymakers considered a smaller increase in emergency bond purchases last month and said that the PEPP envelope may not be used in full. DAX 30 rose 0.4%, CAC 40 gained 0.3% and FTSE 100 finished 0.8% higher.

US indices are trading higher as hopes regarding a big economic stimulus package overshadowed weak economic data and political turmoil. Dow Jones rose 0.3%, led by Boeing (BA.US) and Intel (INTC.US), while the S&P 500 rose 0.25%. Nasdaq Composite jumped 0.7%, hitting an all-time high. President-elect Joe Biden is expected to provide more details regarding the next economic stimulus plan 15 minutes past midnight GMT time. According to some source, he will present a stimulus package worth $2 trillion. Meanwhile investors digested weak jobless claims report. First-time claims for unemployment insurance jumped to 965,000 last week, well above market expectations. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump became the first president in U.S. history to be impeached twice by the House due to attacks on the Capitol last week. However, the Senate is not expected to have enough time to impeach President Trump before Joe Biden is inaugurated next week.

US crude futures are trading 0.30% higher at $53.00 per barrel, while Brent contract fell 0.15% below $ 56.00 per barrel.  Elsewhere, gold futures rose 0.20$ to $ 1,847.00 / oz, while silver is trading nearly 2.0% higher near $ 25.60 / oz. Bitcoin is approaching $40,000 level.