By Daniel Shvartsman

Investing.com, European stock market – Or at least those open to trading – was lower Friday morning.

At 9:30 CET (840 GMT), the exchange traded 0.2% lower and the trading volume was.4%. The traded down by.1%

Major European markets close tomorrow in celebration of New Year’s Day. However, these markets will be open early to observe the holiday.

Corporate news Hunter Douglas NV (AS:) shares rose 69% on the heels of an that 3G Capital would buy the windows coverings maker for €175/share. LON: 888 Holdings updated shareholders on plans to buy William Hill’s business outside the United States. They stated it would publish the prospectus and have a vote of the shareholders to approve the transaction.

Renault SA (PA.) emerged as the CAC 40’s leading winner, with a gain of.5% early in trading Alstom Down 1.2% was recorded in SA (PA) Flutter Entertainment PLC, LON:), closed down 2.2% in the U.K. Fresnillo LON: PLC was 1.3% higher 

The commodities market was down by.3% while the were up.25%. Oil has been on the right track since 2009, while gold was in the previous six.

Traded 3% higher than expected and 2.4% lower, leaving cryptocurrencies well-positioned for an impressive finish to the year.

This article was contributed by Samuel Indyk