European stocks are playing catch-up after a two-day Christmas break, with Greek stocks and related exchange traded fund leading charge.
The Global X FTSE Greece 20 ETF (NYSEArca: GREK) rose 4.3% Friday. GREK is up 10.7% over the past three months and up 19.3% year-to-date.
Despite a 2.1% pullback over the past month, GREK still ranks among the best single-country Europe ETFs this year. [10 Best Global Equity Markets By Single-Country ETFs]
European stocks were higher Friday after a two-day Christmas close.
“Stock markets are indeed seeing a little Christmas rally,” John Plassard, vice president at Mirabaud Securities LLP, said in a Bloomberg article. “Yesterday’s better-than-expected U.S. jobless claims numbers extend the positive sentiment we’ve been seeing. Without major economic data out today, we should be facing a fairly quiet session.”
European stocks also strengthened as the euro currency strengthened. The euro traded as high as $1.3893, more than a two-year high, reports Barbara Kollmeyer for MarketWatch.