06:23 AM EST, 12/12/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Commerzbank in its "European Sunrise" note of Thursday highlighted:

Markets: United States Treasuries slip further in late New York with a strong 10-year auction providing no support, bear-steepen in Asia. US equities close firm with Nasdaq at all-time highs, Asian equities rally. EUR stronger above $1.05, oil little changed.

US: President-elect Donald Trump invites Chinese President Xi Jinping to his inauguration. Senator Republican leader Mitch McConnell warns against isolationist foreign policy, urges the US to demonstrate peace through strength (FT).

Nato members discuss increasing the target for defense spending to 3% of gross domestic product (FT sources).

Middle East: Hamas would agree to a deal that would allow Israeli forces to remain in Gaza temporarily when the fighting stops, handing over a list of potential hostages to be released (WSJ).

==EUROPE:

France: President Emmanuel Macron aims to name a new prime minister on Thursday.

European Commission says the impact of the end of Russian natural gas flows through Ukraine will be negligible.

==ASIA:

South Korea: President Yoon Suk Yeol vows to fight against impeachment, defends martial law as an act of governance.