Overview
- The index rose to about 24,031 by midday for its first break above the threshold since mid-November after October orders beat forecasts with a 1.5% gain, boosted by a large defense contract.
- Auto stocks remained market leaders following signals of looser U.S. fuel-economy rules and speculation that the EU’s 2035 combustion-engine ban could be reversed.
- U.S. equities paused after a recent rally, with the Dow and Nasdaq 100 each down 0.1% and the S&P 500 up 0.1%, as traders positioned for a Federal Reserve rate cut widely seen as likely next week.
- Oil prices eased on Friday after a prior uptick tied to reports of a Ukrainian strike on Russia’s Druzhba pipeline, with operators saying deliveries continued normally.
- Meta shares climbed 3.4% on reports of roughly 30% cuts to its Metaverse budget, while investors also tracked Chevron’s 2026 capital plan of $18–19 billion and upcoming MDAX reshuffles effective December 22.