European Shares Settle on The Last Trading Day of The Year

European shares were little changed on Friday, amid rising COVID-19 infections worldwide and concerns about the pace of the global economy’s recovery from the pandemic.

By 0815 GMT, the pan-European Stoxx 600 index fell 0.02 percent, and travel stocks led the losses. The index, which rose 0.2 percent in the previous session, is heading towards recording a weekly increase of 1.3 percent.

New Year’s celebrations around the world were canceled after the increase in Covid-19 infections overshadowed the celebration’s atmosphere for the second year in a row.

But the European index is about to end the year, recording an increase of 22.5 percent, and all sub-indices are heading towards ending the year on a rise.