The stock market is expected to have a quiet week as the year comes to a close. There will be a shortened trading session on Tuesday and the market will be closed on Wednesday for the Christmas holiday.
U.S. stock futures are showing mixed signals, with the S&P 500 futures remaining flat, Dow Jones Industrial Average futures dipping lower, and Nasdaq futures experiencing a slight uptick. Last week, all three major indexes rose by over 1% but ultimately finished the week with losses due to concerns about potential interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve in 2025 and persistent inflationary pressures. The benchmark 10-year Treasury yield has edged slightly higher and oil and gold futures are trending downward.
In the cryptocurrency space, Bitcoin has seen a 1% increase, trading around $96,000. Cryptocurrencies continue to attract interest as alternative investment vehicles amid volatility and uncertainty in traditional financial markets. The performance of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies will be closely watched as the year concludes.
This week's economic and corporate calendars are light on events, which is typical during the holiday season. Traders are hopeful for a "Santa Claus Rally," where stocks tend to rise during the last five trading sessions of the year and the first two of the following year. This rally is anticipated to start after today's market close.
Political developments over the weekend have brought stability to the markets as President Biden signed a stopgap funding measure to keep the federal government operational through March, avoiding a government shutdown. However, this has raised questions about potential Republican opposition to incoming Trump administration policies, the future role of House Speaker Mike Johnson, and the debt ceiling issue. Investors will be closely monitoring these developments.
In the automotive industry, Honda and Nissan have signed a memorandum of understanding to discuss a potential business integration. This collaboration aims to enhance technology sharing, improve supply-chain efficiencies, and achieve cost savings. The announcement has had a positive impact on both companies' shares in Japanese trading. If successful, the combined entity is expected to list on the Tokyo Stock Exchange by August 2026.
There are notable changes taking effect in the Nasdaq 100 index today. Companies like MicroStrategy, Palantir Technologies, and Axon Enterprise are joining the index, while Super Micro Computer, Moderna, and Illumina will be removed. This reflects ongoing trends in the market where technology and innovation drive investor interest and stock performance.
Investor sentiment remains mixed as the year comes to a close. The potential for a Santa Claus Rally offers hope, but concerns about inflation and interest rates persist. The Federal Reserve's monetary policy stance and political developments in Washington will be critical factors influencing market movements.