Dow Logs 5th-Straight Win; Nasdaq Holds 20,000

A Santa Claus rally is still in play, albeit barely.  Amid lighter volume, the Dow pared a triple-digit loss at its session lows, capturing a fifth-straight win. While the S&P 500 and Nasdaq also fought their way back into positive territory, both finished marginally in the red, though the tech-heavy latter managed to hold the psychologically-significant 20,000 level. 

Continue reading for more on today’s market, including:

• Is there any hope for this pharmacy stock?
• Crypto stocks took a hit today.
• Plus, UBER cools off; Delta earnings loom for 2025; and prepping for the New Year.

5 Things to Know Today 

1. Holiday spending continues to rise year-over-year. (MarketWatch)
2. No, China is not interfering with the Panama Canal. (Bloomberg)
3. Uber suffers a buyout setback.
4. Delta stock looking to buck post-earnings trend.
5. Real estate data defines first week of 2025.

There were no earnings of note today.

Gold Lifted by Low-Volume Session

The increased prospects of China stimulus measures sent oil prices higher today. February-dated West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude added 48 cents, or 0.7%, to settle $69.62 per barrel.

Light trading volumes and safe-haven demand boosted bullion today. Gold for January delivered added 0.7% to settle around $2,64.60 an ounce.

The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.