Volatile Start To Year-End: Metals Shine As Stocks And Crypto Wobble

Market Overview - Stocks began December on a negative note, influenced by volatility in the cryptocurrency market, particularly Bitcoin, which fell over 5% [2][3] - Despite the downturn, the previous week saw strong gains for major indices, with the Dow and S&P 500 each rising over 3% and the Nasdaq increasing nearly 5% [3] - Historically, December is a favorable month for stocks, with the S&P 500 averaging a gain of over 1% since 1950 [4] Economic Indicators - Traders are anticipating a Federal Reserve rate cut next week, supported by recent soft economic data, including a decline in the ISM Manufacturing Index [5] - The Bank of Japan's hawkish stance and potential rate hike in December have impacted funding markets and liquidity-sensitive trades, contributing to Bitcoin's recent decline [6] Sector Performance - In the technology sector, Broadcom and Super Micro Computer saw declines of more than 3% and 2% respectively, indicating profit-taking in artificial intelligence trades [2] - Conversely, Synopsys shares rose following Nvidia's announcement of a new investment and partnership, which helped Nvidia's stock increase by about 1% [2] Trend Tracking Indexes (TTIs) - The Domestic Trend Tracking Index (TTI) closed at +5.69% above its moving average, while the International TTI was at +9.14% above its moving average, both remaining in "Buy" mode [11] - The recent market volatility has led to a modest slip in TTIs, but they are still above trend lines, indicating a continued bullish sentiment [10][11]