Stock market today: Dow, S&P 500, Nasdaq slide, bitcoin plummets in rocky start to December

Market Overview - US stocks experienced a decline at the start of December, with the Nasdaq Composite and S&P 500 both dropping around 0.4%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average sliding approximately 0.7% after a five-day gain in late November [1] - Bitcoin's value fell over 7%, dropping below $85,000, indicating a risk-off sentiment in the market [2] Company Performance - Nvidia's shares initially fell 1% but later gained in afternoon trading, reflecting volatility in the AI chip sector [2] - Apple stock rose 0.8%, reaching an intraday high of $281.21 per share, showcasing strength in the tech sector [2] Economic Indicators - December is usually a strong month for stocks, but analysts suggest that the anticipated Santa Claus rally may not occur this year due to heightened uncertainty from various events, including President Trump's tariff initiatives [3] - The Federal Reserve's interest rate decisions are under scrutiny, with over 85% of market bets on a quarter-point reduction at the upcoming meeting, influenced by supportive comments from Fed officials [4] - Economic data releases are expected to normalize following the government shutdown, with the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) index set to be released on Friday, which is the Fed's preferred inflation measure [5] Federal Reserve Leadership - Wall Street is preparing for a potential leadership change at the Federal Reserve, as President Trump has indicated he has chosen a successor for Fed Chair Jerome Powell, with economic adviser Kevin Hassett being a likely candidate [6]