Today At A Glance:

U.S. stocks closed mixed in the final full trading week of 2025 as investors balanced year-end positioning with lingering uncertainty around rates and 2026 growth expectations. The Nasdaq eked out gains, supported by selective buying in mega-cap technology, while the Dow slipped modestly as industrials and energy lagged. Trading volume remained light, amplifying intraday swings and keeping conviction muted. Several single-stock movers stood out, driven by earnings updates, guidance changes, and post-holiday repositioning rather than broad macro news. Overall, the session reflected cautious optimism, with investors largely preserving gains from the late-December rally rather than pressing aggressively higher.

Today’s Index Performance:

• Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) — The Dow opened near 48,520 and closed around 48,345, down approximately -0.36%, as weakness in energy and select industrial components offset modest strength in defensives.
• S&P 500 (^GSPC) — The S&P 500 opened close to 6,925 and finished near 6,930, essentially flat with a gain of about +0.07%, reflecting narrow leadership and limited participation.
• Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) — The Nasdaq opened around 23,600 and closed near 23,740, up roughly +0.60%, led by continued accumulation in large-cap technology and AI-linked names.

Gainers Of Note:

• Palantir Technologies (PLTR) — Palantir advanced as investors continued to rotate into profitable, cash-flow-positive AI software names ahead of 2026 budget and defense-spending discussions.
• Coinbase Global (COIN) — Coinbase climbed alongside strength in Bitcoin and other digital assets, with traders positioning for sustained crypto market momentum into the new year.
• Broadcom (AVGO) — Broadcom rebounded modestly after recent weakness, as dip-buyers selectively returned to AI infrastructure leaders following last week’s selloff.

Losers Of Note:

• Boeing (BA) — Boeing declined as investors remained cautious around production timelines and regulatory scrutiny, keeping pressure on the stock despite broader market stability.
• Exxon Mobil (XOM) — Exxon fell as crude prices drifted lower, weighing on the energy sector during an otherwise subdued session.
• Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) — Walgreens continued to slide amid persistent concerns about reimbursement pressure, store traffic trends, and long-term margin sustainability.

Active Traders Of Note:

• Apple (AAPL) — Apple remained one of the most actively traded stocks as institutions fine-tuned mega-cap exposure ahead of year-end portfolio resets.
• Tesla (TSLA) — Tesla saw heavy turnover driven by options activity and continued debate around 2026 delivery growth and autonomous vehicle progress.
• NVIDIA (NVDA) — NVIDIA traded with elevated volume as investors maintained exposure to AI leaders while trimming risk elsewhere, reflecting its role as a core market proxy.

Looking Forward:

Monday’s mixed close underscores that year-end trading is being driven more by positioning and risk management than by new fundamental developments. As calendars flip to 2026, investor focus is expected to shift quickly toward earnings outlooks, rate-cut timing, and which AI and growth narratives can translate enthusiasm into durable profits. The next session is likely to remain volume-light, but early January flows could introduce sharper moves as fresh capital reenters the market.

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