Core Insights - The Santa Claus rally historically leads to stock price increases during the last five trading days of December and the first two trading days of January, with an average gain of around 1.3% since 1950 [2][3] - The rally is viewed as a potential bullish indicator for the upcoming year, suggesting that positive performance during this period may signal a favorable market outlook [3][4] Historical Performance - The average gain during the Santa Claus rally period is 1.3%, compared to a mere 0.2% average return during typical 7-day periods [2] - In the past decade, the S&P 500 has only achieved a gain of over 1% during the Santa Claus rally in four instances [4] Market Predictions - Jeff Hirsch projects a year-end target for the S&P 500 at 7100, indicating a potential 20% gain for 2025, with the index currently up 17% year-to-date [4] - The S&P 500 has historically been up 90% of the time when the Santa Claus rally, First Five Days, and January Barometer indicators align positively at the start of the year [5] Investor Sentiment - Current investor sentiment is optimistic, with expectations of interest rate easing due to slight weaknesses in labor markets, which may support stock performance in 2025 [6] - Hirsch emphasizes that even if the Santa Claus rally does not occur, it does not necessarily predict a negative outlook for the following year [6]

Why This Is Important After three consecutive years of double-digit gains, the S&P 500 is headed for "a boring, normal year,†according to one Wall Street strategist. Key Takeaways "We think the bull run continues, but it's not going to be the stampede†of the last three years, Jay Woods, chief strategist at Freedom Capital Markets, told CNBC on Tuesday. Woods expects the S&P 500 to rise between 3% and 5% over the next year to finish 2026 in the 7,200s. That's one of the more bearish forecasts on Wall Stree ...

Wage Garnishments for Defaulted Student Loans - The Department of Education will begin garnishing wages for defaulted federal student loan borrowers starting January 7, with approximately 1,000 borrowers notified initially [2] - Borrowers who default, typically after not making payments for over 270 days, may have up to 15% of their income garnished to cover missed payments [3] - As of September 30, 2025, there are 5.2 million borrowers in default, with nearly 6.6 million more delinquent between one month and one year [4] Economic Growth and Federal Reserve - The U.S. economy grew at an annual rate of 4.3% in the third quarter, surpassing the expected 3.2% growth, driven by a decrease in imports and a 3.5% rise in consumer spending [25][26] - The Federal Reserve is scheduled to meet on January 27 and 28, with expectations to hold interest rates steady after recent cuts aimed at preventing job market slowdown [27][28] - Fed officials face a dilemma between lowering rates to support employment and maintaining higher rates to combat inflation, as both metrics have shown concerning trends [29][30] Novo Nordisk and FDA Approval - Novo Nordisk's stock surged approximately 8% following FDA approval of its Wegovy pill for weight management, expected to launch in early January [31][32] - The approval positions Novo Nordisk favorably against competitors like Eli Lilly, whose weight-loss pill is anticipated for approval in the first quarter of 2026 [33]

How much is $318 billion in the scheme of things? It's a tiny fraction of the world's economic output. It's about equal to the $320 billion that Meta, Amazon, Alphabet and Microsoft collectively planned to spend on AI research and data center expansion in 2025 according to a report by CNBC early this year. And the researchers noted that it's far less than the 2.2% of global GDP that's spent on alcoholic beverages each year. Key Takeaways It would take $318 billion per year, or 0.3% of the world's economic o ...

Core Insights - Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) shares reached new record highs this week, climbing nearly 2% before slightly retracting, following the Trump administration's announcement for the company to construct new ships for the U.S. Navy [1][5] Group 1: Company Developments - President Trump announced that the first ship designed and built by Huntington will be named USS Defiant, as part of a broader initiative to modernize the Navy's fleet into a "Golden Fleet," with potential orders for 20 to 25 new ships [2] - Huntington was selected to build new ships for the U.S. Navy, based on a design currently utilized by the Coast Guard, with the first ships expected to be completed by 2028 [4] Group 2: Market Impact - Shares of Huntington Ingalls Industries have consistently increased this year, driven by expectations of benefiting from the Trump administration's focus on domestic manufacturing and naval fleet revitalization, which could result in more orders for the company and other shipbuilders [3] - Following the announcement of new ship contracts, Huntington's shares surged over 4% on Friday and an additional 5% on Monday, with the stock nearly doubling in value in 2025 [4][5]

Key Takeaways Semiconductors: Functionality, Applications, and Investing Insights Guide to Selecting the Best Artificial Intelligence Stocks In a note to clients Monday, analysts at Jefferies voiced some skepticism about whether the chip would be allowed, and that if it is, whether it could come with additional requirements for Chinese firms or a limited quota system. The company looks to sell the chip in China as soon as February, Reuters reported Monday, after President Trump greenlighted the chip earlier ...

Key Takeaways Novo Nordisk shares soared Tuesday after the company said the Food and Drug Administration approved an oral version of its popular Wegovy weight-loss drug.The Danish drugmaker said it hopes to launch the pill in the U.S. in early January. Could a new weight-loss pill be just what Novo Nordisk (NVO) needs to revive its stock? U.S.-listed shares of the Danish drugmaker surged 9% in recent trading after the company said it received Food and Drug Administration approval for an oral version of ...

Core Insights - In 2026, 19 states will increase their minimum wage on January 1, with California implementing two increases, one at the start of the year and another on July 1 [3][9] - Three additional states—Alaska, Florida, and Oregon—will raise their minimum wages later in the year, effective either July 1 or September 1 [3][9] - A total of 20 states will continue to adhere to the federal minimum wage of $7.25, which has not changed since 2009, with a significant concentration of these states in the South [9][10] State-Level Changes - Four states—California, Illinois, Maryland, and Massachusetts—already have a minimum wage of at least $15 per hour, achieved through phased increases over several years [6] - Some states will not see changes in 2026 due to prior increases or inflation adjustments, reflecting a trend of gradual wage increases rather than abrupt changes [5][6] Local Adjustments - Numerous cities and counties will also raise their minimum wages in 2026, contributing to a diverse landscape of local pay standards across the country [7] - The National Employment Law Project (NELP) will provide a report detailing specific areas that are increasing their local minimum wages [7]

Core Insights - The used car market experiences significant volatility at year-end, with dealerships eager to clear inventory and meet sales targets while buyers tend to reduce spending during the holiday season [2][4] Group 1: Price Trends - Used car prices are generally declining in several mainstream categories, including sedans, smaller SUVs, and some midsize crossovers, as inventory builds up and demand cools [5] - Hybrids and electric vehicles (EVs) saw a notable price drop of 1.8% from October to November, influenced by the removal of the $4,000 federal tax credit for purchases made after September 30, 2025 [6] - Trucks and larger SUVs have shown resilience in pricing, remaining relatively stable compared to other categories, particularly in regions where utility and towing capacity are valued [7] Group 2: Year-over-Year Context - Used car prices reached an all-time high in 2022 due to pandemic-related supply chain disruptions, leading to a shortage of new cars and parts, followed by a rapid rebound in demand [8][10] - Although prices have decreased from their peak, they have not returned to pre-pandemic levels, which may contribute to perceptions of high costs among buyers [10] Group 3: Strategic Insights for Buyers - December is characterized by increased negotiating power for buyers, as market conditions are calmer and sellers are more motivated compared to January [9][11] - The focus for buyers should be on leveraging timing and category knowledge rather than expecting dramatic price drops, as informed buyers can still negotiate meaningful savings [11]

Core Insights - The Federal Reserve is expected to hold its key interest rate steady during the upcoming meeting on January 27 and 28 after a series of recent cuts aimed at addressing job market concerns [1][9]. Interest Rate Decisions - The Federal Open Market Committee will consider whether to cut the federal funds rate from its current range of 3.5% to 3.75% [2]. - Recent cuts of a quarter percentage point at the last three meetings were intended to prevent a slowdown in the job market from escalating into higher unemployment [2][9]. - Fed officials are divided on whether to cut rates to support the job market or maintain higher rates to combat inflation, which has been above the target of 2% since 2021 [3][9]. Economic Implications - The current economic landscape poses a risk of "stagflation," characterized by stagnant growth, high inflation, and a weak job market, which the Fed aims to avoid by appropriately setting the fed funds rate [6]. - The influence of the fed funds rate extends to borrowing costs for short-term loans, impacting consumer spending and overall economic activity [5]. Perspectives from Fed Officials - Some officials, like Beth Hammack, advocate for holding rates steady for several months to gather clearer evidence on inflation and employment trends [7][8]. - Hammack noted that inflation has been above the target for nearly five years and emphasized the importance of bringing it down [8]. - Conversely, other officials, such as Stephen Miran, argue for steeper rate cuts to mitigate recession risks, highlighting concerns over the faltering job market and hiring uncertainties [11][12].