LIVE MARKETS-Before the bell: Europe set to extend year-end gains

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BEFORE THE BELL: EUROPE SET TO EXTEND YEAR-END GAINS

European shares looked set for a higher start on Monday, kicking off the last trading week of 2025 on a positive note as a banner year for global financial assets draws to a close.

Trading was expected to stay thin ahead of the New Year holidays, with European futures up about 0.3% after a four-day Christmas break and U.S. contracts slightly lower following Friday's near-record close.

The STOXX 600 .STOXX also ended last week near all-time highs, up 16% and on track for its strongest year since 2021, driven by financials, defence and industrials benefiting from the AI investment boom.

Investors kept an eye on geopolitics after a meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and Donald Trump, which however delivered no breakthrough. Defence stocks .SXPARO and construction firms .SXOP could be sensitive to developments.

Appetite for metals showed no sign of easing, driving silver above $80 an ounce for the first time and copper near the record $13,000 mark. Asian shares climbed to six-week highs, extending a global rally.

Broker activity and newsflow were limited, except for dealmaking. British lender International Personal Finance IPF.L agreed to be acquired for about $732 million.

(Danilo Masoni)