Overview
- The S&P 500, Dow and Nasdaq slipped about 0.1%–0.2% on Tuesday, with the S&P 500 still up roughly 17% for 2025 and on pace for an eighth straight monthly gain and a third consecutive yearly advance.
- Heavyweight technology and AI-linked shares stayed under pressure for a second session, with Nvidia and Apple lower, while Meta rose after agreeing to acquire AI startup Manus.
- Minutes from the Federal Reserve’s December meeting showed agreement on a 25-basis-point cut but revealed deep splits over risks ahead, reinforcing expectations for caution into early 2026.
- Gold, silver and copper rebounded after a margin-driven plunge the prior day, with silver jumping roughly 7%–11% and gold up about 1% as traders returned to the trade.
- Energy stocks outperformed as oil held near recent highs, and trading remained light in a holiday-shortened week with many investors already positioned for year-end.