GLOBAL MARKETS-Global stocks end 2019 close to record highs

* World stocks on track for 24% gain in 2019
* European shares under pressure after mixed session in Asia
* White House official: U.S., China could sign trade deal
soon
* China December manufacturing activity beats expectations
* Graphic: World FX rates in 2019 http://tmsnrt.rs/2egbfVh

By Karin Strohecker
LONDON, Dec 31 (Reuters) - Global equities drifted on
Tuesday while the dollar ended 2019 on a subdued note following
a buoyant year of stock market gains, driven in recent weeks by
hopes of an imminent U.S.-China trade deal.
MSCI's global share index .MIWD00000PUS was treading water
but is on track for a 24% rise in 2019 - the index's best
performance in almost a decade.
In Europe, equity markets were mixed, with Britain's FTSE
.FTSE slipping 0.4% while France's CAC .FCHI was little
changed in thin trading. Germany's DAX was closed.
Bourses in Asia also diverged. China mainland stocks
.CSI300 .SSEC gained 0.4% after data showed manufacturing
activity in the world's second largest economy expanded for a
second straight month in December. The data added too optimism that trade tensions were easing
between Beijing and Washington after White House trade adviser
Peter Navarro said on Monday a Phase 1 deal would likely be
signed in the next week. He cited a report that Chinese Vice
Premier Liu He would visit the United States this week.
"This is the second print above 50 since the PMI dropped
into contraction in May this year and could be early tentative
signs of stabilisation of the sector," MUFG's Lee Hardman wrote
in a note to clients.
"It is worth remembering however that the Phase One trade
deal (which has not even been officially signed) has only
recently become a more certain prospect and that it may still
take some time for a rekindling of sentiment and investment to
be reflected in the economic data."
China's gains built on Monday's rally, which was driven by a
combination of strong retail sales growth and hopes that a new
benchmark for floating-rate loans could lower borrowing costs.
Meanwhile, Hong Kong stocks .HSI fell 0.5% as protesters
geared up for pro-democracy rallies on New Year's Eve.
Markets in Japan and South Korea were closed for a holiday.
Following losses on Wall Street on Monday, U.S. stock
futures showed some optimism ahead of the final session of the
year, with S&P 500 e-minis ESc1 up 0.1%.
In currency markets, the dollar index .DXY , which tracks
the greenback against a basket of six major rivals, slipped 0.2%
in its fourth straight session in the red.
The dollar continued to weaken against the yen for a third
straight session, dropping 0.2% to 108.65 JPY= and hitting its
lowest level since Dec. 12. The euro strengthened EUR= 0.06%
to buy $1.1204.
Sterling GBP= hovered around the two-week high it hit on
Monday against the dollar, though the possibility of a 'no-deal'
Brexit at the end of 2020 kept any gains subdued. China's yuan
CNH= strengthened 0.3% in offshore trading against the dollar.
Oil prices were little changed with U.S. crude CLc1 at
$61.67 a barrel and Brent crude LCOc1 at $66.83 per barrel.
The global benchmark remains up 24% for the year.
Gold continued its rally on a weakening dollar. On the spot
market, the precious metal XAU= was changing hands at
$1,523.14 per ounce, up 0.5%. Gold prices have risen nearly 20%
this year. GOL/

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Asian shares over the past decade https://tmsnrt.rs/2tdGbh8
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