The Cboe Skew Index, which measures options traders’ demand for tail-risk hedges, has risen sharply since Nov. 12, when it touched a post-election low. The index closed above 167 on Monday, its highest reading in more than two months, according to LSEG data.

Stocks wavered in afternoon trading on Wednesday, as losses for several Big Tech companies offset gains elsewhere in the market. The S&P 500 fell 0.4% in afternoon trading, even though more stocks were rising than falling in the index.

U.S. stocks rose to records after Donald Trump’s latest talk about tariffs created only some ripples on Wall Street. The S&P 500 rose 0.6% to reach another all-time high. The

European shares ticked up on Thursday after falling the previous day, while Asian stocks slipped, as trading volumes thinned ahead of the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday.

Thursday: U.S. markets are closed for the Thanksgiving holiday. Friday: Markets close early in the U.S. The stock market closes at 1 p.m., while bond markets are slated to shut down an hour later. Black Friday marks the start of the holiday shopping season.

This is CNBC's live blog covering European markets. European markets are expected to open higher Thursday, rallying after being in the doldrums yesterday. The U.K.'s FTSE 100 index is expected to open 16 points higher at 8,