European stocks fizzled on the final day of a successful year, while Hunter Douglas shares surged on a buyout.
The Stoxx Europe 600
SXXP,
slipped 0.1% in a half-day of trade for markets in London, Paris and Amsterdam. Several other European exchanges, including Germany, Italy and Spain, were closed.
The Stoxx Europe 600 ended the year with a 22% gain, underpeforming what’s been a 27% advance for the S&P 500
SPX,
through Thursday.
Austria’s ATX
ATXEUR,
took home the crown of best performing Western European market with a 39% advance. Spain’s IBEX 35
IBEX,
brought up the rear with an 8% gain.
Hunter Douglas
HDG,
was Friday’s most notable mover, surging 70% on a deal for 3G Capital to buy 75% of the home furnishing company at a valuation of $7.1 billion. The Sonnenberg family will keep a 25% stake.
