Markets - U.S. stocks closed higher on Dec 24 with tech shares leading gains as the S&P 500 hit a record high. - Top 20 most active stocks: Cathie Wood's ARK continued reducing Tesla holdings. - Key Chinese ADRs were mixed - TSMC rose 1.27% while NIO fell 2.40%. - Precious metals surged with gold and silver both setting new all-time highs. - Oil prices edged up Tuesday amid supply-demand outlook scrutiny. - European equities reached fresh peaks as Novo Nordisk soared on U.S. approval.
Macro - Trump suggested Fed should cut rates during strong market performance. - U.S. consumer confidence declined for fifth straight month with worsening job outlook. - New H-1B visa rules prioritize higher-wage applicants. - U.S. Q3 2025 GDP expanded 4.3% annually. - Fed candidate Hassett stated U.S. is "dangerously behind" on rate cuts. - Besant proposed making 2% inflation target a flexible range.
Policy Developments - Lawmakers sued Trump over unauthorized naming of Kennedy Center facilities. - Student loan wage garnishments to resume January 2026. - Supreme Court rejected Trump's National Guard deployment request in Chicago. - Nordic nations backed Denmark amid U.S. Greenland maneuvers. - U.S. deployed special forces to Caribbean region.
Corporate - Citadel to return $5B in hedge fund profits to clients. - ARK sold $29.67M worth of Tesla shares Monday. - Mercedes agreed to $150M emissions cheating settlement. - Johnson & Johnson fell 1.1% after $1.5B verdict. - Google overcame early AI lag to lead industry by late 2025. - Buffett's Berkshire sold $24B in stocks during Q3. - Musk's wealth surged $215B in 2025, nearing $700B net worth.
Commodities - Crude extended rally to fifth session. - LME copper broke $12,000/ton for first time. - Gold/silver hit consecutive record highs on safe-haven demand. - Silver outperformed gold in recent rally.
Aviation - U.S. airlines set holiday travel records despite fare increases.