Japanese Business Leaders Urge Government Action as Weak Yen Strains Economy 
South Korea Factory Activity Returns to Growth in December on Export Rebound 
Asian Markets End Year on AI Optimism as Precious Metals and Currencies Shine 
Forex Markets Hold Steady as Traders Await Fed Minutes Amid Thin Year-End Volumes 
Trump Delays Tariff Increases on Furniture and Cabinets for One More Year 
U.S. Dollar Starts 2026 Weak as Yen, Euro and Sterling Hold Firm Amid Rate Cut Expectations 
South Korean Won Slides Despite Government Efforts to Stabilize Currency Markets 
Asian Currencies Trade Flat as Dollar Weakens in Thin New Year Trading 
South Korea Exports Hit Record High as Global Trade Momentum Builds 
South Korea Inflation Rises to 2.3% in December, Matching Market Expectations 
Singapore GDP Growth Surges in 2025 but Outlook Remains Cautious Amid Global Trade Risks 
Oil Prices Stabilize at Start of 2026 as OPEC+ Policy and Geopolitical Risks Shape Market Outlook 
Oil Prices Slide in 2025 as Oversupply and Geopolitical Risks Shape Market Outlook 
Oil Prices Slip Slightly as Markets Weigh Geopolitical Risks and Supply Glut Concerns 
U.S. Stocks Slip as Gold Rebounds Ahead of Year-End, Markets Eye 2026 Outlook 
USDA $12 Billion Farm Aid Program Draws Mixed Reactions from Row Crop Farmers 
U.S. Dollar Slides Toward Biggest Annual Loss Since 2017 as 2026 Risks Loom 
U.S. stocks finished mixed after the close on Friday as strength in energy, industrials, and basic materials helped support blue-chip shares, while losses in consumer-focused and technology sectors weighed on broader markets. Investors navigated sector rotation, earnings-driven moves, and commodity price fluctuations, resulting in a divided performance across major U.S. indices.
At the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange, the Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 0.66%, reflecting solid gains in heavyweight industrial and financial stocks. The S&P 500 added a modest 0.19%, while the Nasdaq Composite slipped 0.03%, pressured by declines in large-cap technology and consumer services names.
Boeing led the Dow Jones higher, surging nearly 5% as optimism around the aerospace sector lifted shares. Caterpillar also posted strong gains, rising more than 4%, supported by strength in industrials and basic materials. Goldman Sachs advanced over 4%, reaching fresh all-time highs and reinforcing momentum in the financial sector. On the downside, Salesforce dropped more than 4%, while Microsoft and Amazon also declined, contributing to Nasdaq’s slight pullback.
Within the S&P 500, semiconductor-related stocks stood out. Micron Technology jumped over 10% to a record high, while Western Digital and Lam Research also posted strong gains, each reaching new all-time highs. In contrast, Gartner, Palantir Technologies, and Intuit were among the weakest performers, posting notable losses.
The Nasdaq Composite saw extreme moves among smaller-cap stocks. Lavoro Ltd recorded a dramatic triple-digit percentage gain, while Sky Quarry and Brand Engagement Network also surged. On the losing side, Outlook Therapeutics plunged more than 58% to an all-time low, joined by sharp declines in Protagenic Therapeutics and Kazia Therapeutics.
Market breadth was positive overall, with advancing stocks outnumbering decliners on both the NYSE and Nasdaq. Volatility eased, as the CBOE Volatility Index fell nearly 3%. In commodities, gold prices edged slightly lower, while crude oil and Brent prices posted mild declines. In currency markets, the U.S. dollar strengthened modestly against the yen, while the euro remained relatively stable.
