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Here’s what’s happening in the stock market today:
The stock market is opening with mild gains in futures as investors position ahead of the Federal Reserve's final 2025 meeting this week, with the S&P 500 nearing record highs despite recent volatility. 📈⏳ U.S. stock futures show slight upticks, including S&P 500 and Nasdaq futures rising 0.1-0.3%, while Dow futures hold steady, building on Friday's positive close after in-line inflation data.
Major Indices Performance 📊
S&P 500 futures up about 0.1%, with the index just 0.2% from a new record close.
Dow Jones Industrial Average futures little changed, following recent monthly gains.
Nasdaq futures ahead 0.3%, buoyed by tech momentum amid Fed rate cut expectations.
Market Movers 🚀
Confluent shares surge 27% in premarket on IBM's acquisition announcement.
Carvana, CRH, and Comfort Systems USA set for S&P 500 addition later this month.
General Motors highlighted as a top value pick with strong buy rating and low P/E ratio.
Key Events Driving the Market 🗞️
Markets await Fed's rate decision and Powell's comments, with expectations for further cuts amid softening U.S. data.
President Trump signals involvement in Netflix's potential Warner Bros. Discovery acquisition review.
China's record trade surplus adds to global economic watchpoints.
Investor Sentiment 👀
Traders remain optimistic yet cautious, balancing Fed policy hopes against policy risks and economic releases, with elevated Treasury yields and EM central bank moves in focus. 🐂⚖️
7 Actionable Ways to Achieve a Comfortable Retirement
Your dream retirement isn’t going to fund itself—that’s what your portfolio is for.
When generating income for a comfortable retirement, there are countless options to weigh. Muni bonds, dividends, REITs, Master Limited Partnerships—each comes with risk and oppor-tunity.
The Definitive Guide to Retirement Income from Fisher investments shows you ways you can position your portfolio to help you maintain or improve your lifestyle in retirement.
It also highlights common mistakes, such as tax mistakes, that can make a substantial differ-ence as you plan your well-deserved future.
TRADE OF THE DAY:
DHI
Name: D.R. Horton, Inc.
Symbol: DHI
Current Price: ~$154.22
Trade
Sell to Open: 1 DHI Dec 19, 2025 144/139 Put Vertical
Total Credit Received: $52.00
Credit per Contract: $52.00
Direction: Bullish (expects DHI to stay above break-even)
Probability of Profit (PoP): 84.00%
Potential ROI:
Max Risk (Loss): $448.00
ROI: ($52.00 ÷ $448.00) × 100 ≈ 11.6%
Trade Explained in Simple English:
You are selling the 144-strike put and buying the 139-strike put, both expiring December 19, 2025, and receiving $52 upfront. You profit if DHI stays above about $143.48 at expiration. Your maximum gain is the $52 credit, while your maximum loss is capped at $448 if the stock falls below 139. Because the trade benefits from the stock staying above the short strike, it is a bullish position.
Wall Street Highlights:
News Beyond the Numbers
IBM announced its intention to acquire Confluent, causing the software company's shares to surge 27% in premarket trading on Monday. Read more.
Berkshire Hathaway disclosed that Todd Combs, its investment officer and Geico CEO, is departing to join JPMorgan Chase leading direct equity investments. Read more.
President Trump indicated plans to engage in regulatory considerations surrounding Netflix's proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. Read more.
Carvana, CRH, and Comfort Systems USA are scheduled to join the S&P 500 index later this month, marking key additions to the benchmark. Read more.
China's trade surplus hit a record $1 trillion for the year through November, underscoring significant global trade developments. Read more.
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