Headlines discussed at LNMW’s Monday morning briefing:

— The Eurozone economy grew only 0.6% during third-quarter 2014, as Italy fell back into recession.

— Japan’s economy unexpectedly shrank in the third quarter and is now officially in recession, prompting a rethinking of the recent sales tax hike.

— U.S. stock prices hit new record highs, with S&P 500 Index closing at 2039, up 9.5% from its October low.

— Oil prices (both WTI and Brent crude) fell below $80 per barrel, the lowest prices since Sept. 2010.

— NATO warned that Russia was sending combat troops into Ukraine, while European leaders debated further sanctions against Russia.

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