Wall Street indexes struggled to rise above the flatline after producer price inflation accelerated in November. Investors in Europe held out for additional rate cuts after the ECB lowered rates as widely anticipated. China's leaders offered another vague commitment for additional fiscal stimulus measures.
Stock market indexes extended gains in New York, Europe, and Asia. The eurozone manufacturing activities deteriorated for the second month in a row in November. China's foreign direct investment continues to fall amid worries about slowing economic growth, intellectual property theft, and arbitrary law enforcement.