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China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
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Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Asian Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Wall Street closed sharply higher on Monday, driven by strong rebounds in major artificial intelligence (AI) and technology stocks, as hopes grew that Washington was nearing a resolution to the record-breaking U.S. government shutdown.
The longest shutdown in U.S. history appears close to ending after a bipartisan compromise to restore federal funding cleared a Senate hurdle late Sunday. Though final approval from Congress remains pending, investor sentiment turned positive.
“The shutdown had gone on longer than expected, raising concerns about the economy and potential travel disruptions,” said Chris Zaccarelli, chief investment officer at Northlight Asset Management.
Tech giants led the charge, with Nvidia soaring 5.8%, Palantir jumping 8.8%, and Tesla gaining 3.7%. The S&P 500 technology sector, which had dropped 4.2% last week, bounced back strongly. “This is a classic ‘buy the dip’ rally,” said Ross Mayfield, investment strategist at Baird. “The AI theme remains solid, supported by strong earnings.”
The S&P 500 advanced 1.54% to 6,832.43, the Nasdaq surged 2.27% to 23,527.17—its biggest one-day gain since May 27—and the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.81% to 47,368.63. Semiconductor stocks also surged, lifting the PHLX index 3%, while the small-cap Russell 2000 gained 0.9%.
Trading volume was slightly below average, with 17.9 billion shares exchanged. Meanwhile, airlines faced pressure amid flight cuts and staff shortages—United Airlines slipped 1.3% and American Airlines lost 2.5%.
Health insurers tumbled as the Senate deal ended the 40-day shutdown without extending Affordable Care Act subsidies. Centene plunged 8.8%, Humana fell 5.4%, and Elevance Health dropped 4.4%.
Elsewhere, Pfizer won a $10 billion bidding war for Metsera, sending Metsera shares down 14.8%. Eli Lilly gained 4.6% to a record high after an analyst upgrade.
Optimism over AI continues to drive Wall Street’s 2025 bull run, signaling renewed investor confidence in the tech-driven economy.
