Energy Markets
European stocks rise as investors remain optimistic about rate cuts
The European stock market made a small gain on Friday. It is on track to make a modest advance for the week after the U.S. Federal Reserve cut rates. For the first time in December, the U.S. Federal Reserve lowered interest rates on Wednesday by a quarter percentage point. Norway and Canada cut rates as well. Wall Street closed Thursday at a new record, but in Asian trading Nikkei fell from its previous record after the Bank of Japan announced a further winding down of its stimulus policy. The MSCI World Equity Index was not much changed at 0923 GMT....