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Here’s what’s happening in the stock market today:
The stock market is starting the holiday-shortened Christmas week on a positive note, with U.S. stock futures ticking higher amid a tech sector rebound and optimism for a "Santa Claus" rally. 📈🎄 Major indices closed strongly last Friday, driven by AI momentum, and pre-market signals point to modest gains today amid light trading volume. Gold and silver prices are also rallying, supporting a risk-on mood despite year-end positioning.
Major Indices Performance 📊
S&P 500 futures up about 0.21%, following Friday's 0.8% rise to 6,834.50, on track for further monthly gains.
Dow Jones futures ahead 0.15%, after gaining 0.4% or 183 points to 48,134.89 last Friday.
Nasdaq futures climbing 0.34%, buoyed by a 1% advance to 23,307.62, led by tech recovery.
Market Movers 🚀
Tech leaders like Oracle surged 6.6-7% on TikTok U.S. deal news involving Oracle.
NVIDIA up 3.9% on reports of Trump administration considering H200 AI chip sales to approved China customers.
Micron Technology rose 7% after strong fiscal Q1 earnings and upbeat Q2 guidance.
Key Events Driving the Market 🗞️
Tech and AI stocks are spearheading the rebound after recent volatility, with holiday-shortened trading limiting volume but boosting "Santa Claus" rally hopes. Investors eye year-end positioning and potential Fed policy signals, while elevated Treasury yields linger in the background.
Investor Sentiment 👀
Sentiment leans optimistic with subdued volumes, blending holiday cheer, AI enthusiasm, and caution over light liquidity in the final trading days of 2025. 🐂❄️ Markets reflect resilience from recent gains, positioning for potential end-of-year strength.
Smart Investors Don’t Guess. They Read The Daily Upside.
Markets are moving faster than ever — but so is the noise. Between clickbait headlines, empty hot takes, and AI-fueled hype cycles, it’s harder than ever to separate what matters from what doesn’t.
That’s where The Daily Upside comes in. Written by former bankers and veteran journalists, it brings sharp, actionable insights on markets, business, and the economy — the stories that actually move money and shape decisions.
That’s why over 1 million readers, including CFOs, portfolio managers, and executives from Wall Street to Main Street, rely on The Daily Upside to cut through the noise.
No fluff. No filler. Just clarity that helps you stay ahead.
TRADE OF THE DAY:
WDAY
Name: Workday, Inc.
Symbol: WDAY
Current Price: Approximately $220.00
Trade
Sell to Open: 1 WDAY Jan 09, 2026 232.5/237.5 Call Vertical
Total Credit Received: $55.00
Credit per Contract: $55.00 (assumes 1 contract = 100 shares)
Direction: Bearish
Probability of Profit (PoP): 84.0%
Potential ROI:
Max Risk (Loss): $445.00
ROI: ($55 ÷ $445) × 100 ≈ 12.4%
Trade Explained in Simple English:
You are selling a bearish call credit spread on Workday by selling the 232.5 call and buying the 237.5 call, both expiring January 9, 2026. You collect $55 upfront when entering the trade. The position is profitable if WDAY closes below about $233.05 at expiration. Your maximum loss is capped at $445 if the stock finishes above $237.50, making this a limited-risk, limited-reward bearish strategy.
Wall Street Highlights:
News Beyond the Numbers
The Delaware Supreme Court reinstated Tesla CEO Elon Musk's 2018 compensation package, valued at around $139 billion today after significant appreciation from its original $2.3 billion stock awards. Read more.
Clearwater Analytics agreed to be taken private in an $8.4 billion deal by investors Permira and Warburg Pincus, offering shareholders $24.55 per share, a 10% premium over Friday's close. Read more.
Larry Ellison plans to personally back Paramount's bid for Warner Bros., amid intensifying competition including Netflix's aggressive acquisition tactics. Read more.
One of Elon Musk's past rivals has entered the race to become the next CEO of General Motors, adding drama to the automaker's leadership transition. Read more.
Debate over the next Federal Reserve Chair intensifies across Washington D.C. and Wall Street, with industry leaders and Trump allies publicly weighing in on candidates. Read more.
Disclaimer: The content provided by OptionPicks is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as investment, financial, legal, or tax advice. We are not registered as a broker-dealer, investment adviser, or financial advisor with the SEC, FINRA, or any other regulatory authority. Options trading involves substantial risk and is not suitable for every investor. Past performance is not indicative of future results, and no representation is being made that any subscriber will or is likely to achieve profits or incur losses similar to those mentioned. You should consult with a licensed financial professional before making any investment decisions.
