| Name | Daily Close | Daily Change | Daily Change (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dow | 42706.56 | -25.57 | -0.06% |
| S&P 500 | 5975.38 | 32.91 | 0.55% |
| Nasdaq | 19864.98 | 243.3 | 1.24% |
| VIX | 16.04 | -0.09 | -0.56% |
| Gold | 2646.9 | -7.8 | -0.29% |
| Oil | 73.43 | -0.53 | -0.72% |
US MARKET
The first full week of 2025 began with mixed performance across major U.S. equity indexes. The S&P 500 gained 0.6%, while the Nasdaq surged 1.2%, supported by optimism in semiconductor stocks. However, the Dow closed slightly lower, down less than 0.1%, after losing momentum in the afternoon. Investors are gearing up for a short trading week, with markets closing Thursday to honour former President Jimmy Carter, followed by the December jobs report release on Friday.
Semiconductors led the rally, driven by strong demand for AI servers. Micron Technology soared 10.5%—the S&P 500’s top performer—benefiting from its role in Nvidia’s Blackwell AI platforms. Nvidia’s shares rose 3.4%, buoyed by Foxconn’s record Q4 revenue and anticipation for the company’s CES keynote update on AI chips. Super Micro Computer also climbed 9.4% as analysts linked its prospects to Nvidia’s GPUs. Teradyne added 7.2% after receiving an upgrade for its robust position in semiconductor testing platforms.
Notable decliners included Palantir Technologies, down 5% amid valuation concerns after its stellar 2024 performance, and Axon Enterprise, which fell 5.1% despite strong long-term gains. Essex Property Trust dropped 4%, with analysts citing challenges in its West Coast markets, while T-Mobile US declined 3.1% after downgrades reflecting growth concerns. These developments highlight a mixed market sentiment, with gains in technology offset by sector-specific headwinds and valuation adjustments.
LOCAL MARKET
Australian shares are set to rise, with futures indicating the S&P/ASX 200 index will open 0.2% (18 points) higher on Tuesday. This marks the fourth straight day of gains for the market, following a narrow positive close on Monday. Despite starting strong, Monday’s session saw volatility, as investors sold off Australian mining stocks in response to falling iron ore prices.
Caution surrounds the commodity market as traders await further stimulus measures from Beijing to bolster China’s economy. Concerns remain over the lingering effects of the Chinese property crisis in 2024, which dampened demand, and a pessimistic price forecast from the Australian government. The Australian dollar gained 0.4% to trade at $US62.42.