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Here’s what’s happening in the stock market today:
The stock market shows mild declines today amid thin year-end trading volume and profit-taking in tech stocks after recent record highs. Major U.S. indices like the S&P 500, Dow, and Nasdaq are slipping slightly, with futures pointing to continued caution as 2025 ends. Precious metals like gold and silver are rebounding strongly, while investors eye upcoming economic data.
Major Indices 📊
S&P 500 closed near 6,905-6,910, down about 0.2-0.35% recently, yet up over 17% for the year.
Dow Jones Industrial Average futures hover around 47,850, off 0.08-0.1%, after a 0.4% drop yesterday.
Nasdaq Composite settled around 23,474, down 0.3-0.5%, reflecting tech sector weakness.
Market Movers 🚀
Top gainers include small-caps like RPGL (up 158%), BNAI (113%), and SOPA (57%), driven by high volume.
Metals-related strength: gold up $58, silver to $76 amid geopolitical and economic uncertainty.
Tech laggards like Nvidia (-1.2%), Tesla (-3.3%), and Palantir (-2.4%) weigh on Nasdaq.
Key Events 🗞️
Year-end positioning dominates with low liquidity, as markets digest AI valuation concerns and await FOMC minutes tomorrow. U.S. data like house prices today and jobless claims next week add focus, alongside steady oil and resilient global trade. Forecasts eye S&P 500 gains into 2026 from AI IPOs and dollar weakness.
Investor Sentiment 👀
Traders remain cautious yet optimistic, balancing 2025's strong yearly gains (S&P +17-18%, Nasdaq +21-22%) against holiday-thin volumes and policy risks. Bitcoin dips near $88,000 YTD, while metals rally signals inflation hedges.
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Wall Street Highlights:
News Beyond the Numbers
Meta Platforms agreed to acquire AI startup Manus for over $2 billion to bolster its advanced AI capabilities amid intensifying tech competition. This ramps up Meta's AI push against OpenAI and Google. Investors note the $15B+ spend pattern for ad revenue upside. Read more.
Meta's chief AI officer Alexandr Wang announced that Manus AI has joined Meta to enhance the development of AI products for business and consumers. Speeds Llama model rollouts. Long-term META stock booster amid talent wars. Read more.
Italian regulators ordered Meta to suspend its WhatsApp policy that barred rival AI chatbots, allowing competitors greater access to the platform. Echoes EU DMA scrutiny. Potential data-sharing revenue twists ahead. Read more.
New York mandated social media platforms like Meta to display warning labels about mental health risks from predatory features. Hits addictive algorithms on Instagram/FB. Q1 2026 earnings risk flagged. Read more.
OpenAI, backed by Microsoft, is exploring the introduction of advertisements in ChatGPT to capitalize on its massive user base. Targets 300M+ users beyond subs. MSFT AI valuation lift potential. Read more.
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