Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Trump’s Inflation Claims Clash With Voters’ Cost-of-Living Reality 
India–U.S. Interim Trade Pact Cuts Auto Tariffs but Leaves Tesla Out 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Russian Stocks End Mixed as MOEX Index Closes Flat Amid Commodity Strength 
U.S. stocks closed higher on Wednesday, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the S&P 500 finishing at record closing highs during a broad-based rally in a holiday-shortened trading session. All three major indexes notched their fifth consecutive day of gains, highlighting continued strength in U.S. equities despite lingering concerns about interest rates and valuations.
Market sentiment has improved in recent sessions, supported in part by a rebound in AI-related stocks after last week’s selloff. That pullback had been driven by worries over elevated valuations and heavy capital expenditures potentially weighing on future profits. Renewed optimism around artificial intelligence, including chatter about new models from major tech players such as OpenAI and Meta, helped lift investor confidence.
Recent economic data also reinforced the view that the U.S. economy remains resilient. New applications for U.S. jobless benefits unexpectedly declined last week, signaling ongoing labor market strength. Meanwhile, investors continue to price in around 50 basis points of Federal Reserve rate cuts next year, although expectations for a January cut remain low, according to CME Group’s FedWatch Tool. Analysts broadly agree that the Fed is unlikely to ease policy again in the near term.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 288.75 points, or 0.60%, to 48,731.16. The S&P 500 gained 22.26 points, or 0.32%, to 6,932.05, while the Nasdaq Composite added 51.46 points, or 0.22%, to 23,613.31. Trading volumes were notably light ahead of the Christmas holiday, with U.S. markets closed on Thursday.
Micron Technology shares climbed nearly 4% to a record close, extending gains after issuing a strong forecast last week. Financial stocks also supported the rally, while energy was the only S&P 500 sector to finish lower. Nike surged after news of insider buying, while Dynavax Technologies jumped sharply following a takeover announcement by Sanofi.
With stocks entering the traditionally strong “Santa Claus rally” period, optimism around AI, potential rate cuts, and economic resilience continues to underpin the bull market, which began in October 2022 and has kept U.S. stock indexes on track for another year of gains.
