Most world stock markets are set to finish 2016 in positive territory despite shock votes in Britain and the United States, but 2017 is clouded by looming European elections and Brexit.
London's FTSE 100 has gained almost 14 percent over the year, while Frankfurt's DAX 30 added about 6.4 percent and the Paris CAC 40 won 4.1 percent. All three indices dipped Friday on the final trading day of 2016, with London due to close at 1230 GMT.
This year witnessed a wave of anti-establishment populism, which saw Britain vote for its EU exit and the United States elect maverick billionaire businessman Donald Trump as president. Both unexpected outcomes sparked a brief tumble on global equity markets - but many have since staged a stunning recovery to finish 2016 in the black. Britons voted on June 23 to exit the European Union, sparking markets chaos and sending the pound collapsing against the euro and dollar.
AFP
