Markets Open 2026 with Modest Declines as Fed Outlook and Key Economic Data Weigh

Market Overview - U.S. equities started 2026 with modest declines as major indexes adjusted to the latest Federal Reserve minutes and anticipated economic data releases [1][11] - The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) closed down by 94.87 points (0.20%) at 48,367.06, while the S&P 500 (SPX) fell by 9.50 points (0.14%) to 6,896.24, and the Nasdaq Composite (IXIC) decreased by 55.27 points (0.24%) to 23,419.08 [2] Sector Performance - The technology and industrial sectors led the declines, with consumer discretionary and materials also experiencing notable losses, indicating a cautious sentiment across various market segments [3] Upcoming Economic Data - Key economic releases are expected, including International Trade in Goods and Retail Inventories on January 2nd, and Jobless Claims data and FOMC Minutes next week, which could significantly influence market direction [4][5] Major Stock News - Nike (NKE) shares surged over 4% due to strong holiday sales and positive analyst outlooks, while IBM, American Express, and Walt Disney saw declines, impacting the Dow's performance [7] - Nvidia (NVDA) experienced a modest dip of 0.36% despite strong demand for its AI chips, indicating potential profit-taking after significant gains [8] - Tesla (TSLA) shares fell by 1.17% following a downgrade due to competition concerns, while Oracle (ORCL) also saw stock declines amid skepticism about its growth trajectory [9] - Park Aerospace (PKE) and Lifecore Biomedical (LFCR) reported mixed earnings, which may influence their stock performance in early trading [10]