On Week 6, stocks indexes were up, setting new records despite a sudden crush in AI tech. Crypto market continued its 3 month-long downfall.
On Monday, Stocks rallied , with the S&P 500 up 1%, the Dow climbing about 1%, and the Nasdaq rising around 1%, all rebounding to new highs as last week’s metals and crypto selloff faded. Tech and growth stocks powered the gains — Apple added 3%, AMD and Micron rose about 5%, and Alphabet and Amazon gained ahead of earnings. Oracle slipped slightly after its $50 billion capital plan, while Nvidia fell roughly 2% amid uncertainty around its stalled $100 billion OpenAI investment. Industrials and financials, led by Caterpillar’s 5% jump, also supported the rally, though energy shares lagged as oil prices declined. In crypto, Bitcoin, Ether, and Binance Coin each gained around 2–4%.
On Tuesday, Stocks retreated after testing highs, with the S&P 500 down less than 1%, Nasdaq dropping about 1%, and the Dow easing less than 1% amid broad selling in tech and chipmakers. Nvidia, Broadcom, and Micron each lost around 3–4%, pressured by doubts over future AI spending. Higher Treasury yields added to weakness, while mixed earnings heightened swings — Intuit sank about 11%, PayPal slid 20%, but Palantir rose nearly 7% and Merck gained 2%. In crypto, Bitcoin fell below $73,000, its weakest since late 2024, as liquidations topped $700 million. Crypto funds saw $2 billion in outflows and assets declined $70 billion since late 2025.
On Wednesday, Stocks were mixed as the S&P 500 stayed flat, the Nasdaq dipped less than 1%, and the Dow rose about 280 points. Tech stocks slid again, though energy, health, and staples led gains. Eli Lilly jumped 7% on strong results and upbeat 2026 guidance, while Alphabet and Qualcomm gained less than 1% and 3%, respectively. Amgen rose 5%, but AMD plunged 12%, dragging down Nvidia, Meta, and Micron. ADP data showed the U.S. added just 22,000 private-sector jobs in January, with health care up 74,000 but business services down 57,000 — the slowest job growth in years. Bitcoin hovered near $63,000, down about 10% this week, while Ether and Ripple also extended losses in the broader crypto slump.
On Thursday, stocks fell about 1%, with the S&P 500, Nasdaq, and Dow all sliding as tech weakness extended into a third day. Alphabet dropped less than 1% after forecasting capital spending near the high end of roughly $180 billion for 2026, reigniting worries that heavy AI investments may not soon lift profits. Qualcomm plunged 8% on weak chip demand, while jobless claims rose to 231,000 and January layoffs hit 108,000 — the highest for that month since 2009. In crypto markets, Bitcoin sank near $62,000, its lowest since late 2024 and down about half from last year’s peak, dragging Ether (-13%), Ripple (-20%), and related ETFs lower as traders exit risk assets.
On Friday, stocks rallied with the Dow hitting a record high after climbing about 3%, as investors bought the dip following a tech-driven slump earlier in the week. The S&P 500 gained nearly 2%, and the Nasdaq rose just over 2%, boosted by a strong rebound in chipmakers like Nvidia, Broadcom, and AMD — each up around 7%. Value and cyclical stocks also led, with Caterpillar and Goldman Sachs rising roughly 7% and 4%. Still, the Nasdaq ended the week down about 2%, weighed by ongoing concerns over rich valuations and hefty AI spending. Amazon lost about 6% after reaffirming plans for nearly $200 billion in AI outlays. In crypto markets, Bitcoin, Ether, and Ripple surged around 14%, 14%, and 22%, respectively.
On Week 7, data delays from the partial government shutdown have pushed the release of the jobs report and CPI to next week, influencing both sides of the Fed’s mandate. Retail sales and employment costs are also due. In Asia, Japan’s snap elections follow yen and bond volatility, while the UK reports Q4 GDP and China, Brazil, and India issue inflation data. The Bank of Russia will decide on interest rates, and key earnings are expected from McDonald’s, Coca-Cola, Cisco, T-Mobile, and Applied Materials.
Comment: Surprised? You Shall Not Be.
The global market slump and deteriorating fundamentals aren’t shocking — they’re the inevitable result of misguided policies shaping the world today. Governments glorify force over intellect, reward monopolies while crushing small innovators, and fuel conflict instead of cooperation. Anti-immigration sentiment narrows talent flows, job insecurity deepens, and real entrepreneurship is suffocated under corporate dominance. The brief market surges driven by political theater and populist bluster have vanished, leaving harsh economic truth exposed. When fear and control replace innovation and reason, prosperity collapses. What we are witnessing is not random volatility — it’s the price of arrogance, division, and the decay of rational leadership.
On Week 52, major stocks indexes and crypto market were up. However, BTC closed this year in red.
Monday
On Monday, stocks opened higher in the holiday-shortened week, with the S&P 500 up 0.8%, the Nasdaq rising 0.7%, and the Dow gaining about 350 points. Energy stocks led gains as oil prices climbed amid U.S.-Venezuela tensions, while consumer discretionary, materials, and AI-related tech shares also advanced on improving optimism about the economy and earnings. Utilities lagged behind. Investors awaited delayed economic data due the next day, including GDP growth. Among major movers, Nvidia rose 1.3%, Micron 2%, and Oracle 1.4%. Amazon, Meta, and Tesla also gained, while Microsoft, Apple, Alphabet, and Broadcom posted small declines. Crypto market went side-way.
Tuesday
On Tuesday, Stocks hovered near the flatline Tuesday as strong economic data strengthened expectations that the Fed will hold rates steady in January and possibly delay future cuts. A delayed report showed the economy grew 4.3% annually in Q3, the fastest in two years, while the ADP report revealed private-sector job growth for a third straight week. Consumer staples and real estate lagged, but communication services and energy outperformed. Among megacaps, Nvidia, Microsoft, Amazon, Meta, and Alphabet rose, while Apple, Broadcom, and Tesla slipped. Eli Lilly gained 1% after recovering from early losses following the FDA’s approval of Novo Nordisk’s weight-loss pill. Crypto is up and down.
Wednesday
On Wednesday, stocks had a strong, shorter trading day, keeping up this week’s momentum as investors stayed upbeat about next year’s earnings potential. The S&P 500 rose 0.4% and the Dow climbed 0.7%, both hitting new records, while the Nasdaq 100 added 0.3%. Third-quarter GDP came in well above forecasts at a 4.3% annualized pace, driven by solid consumer spending and easing worries that tariffs hurt demand or pushed inflation higher. Jobless claims data still point to a labor market with low hiring and low firing. Big tech lagged a bit, and Intel slipped 0.5% after reports that Nvidia scrapped a test using Intel gear for advanced chips. Crypto market is in green.
Thursday
On Thursday, global commodity and currency markets saw brisk activity during of year-end holidays. Silver surged past $76 per ounce, its first-ever high, driven by geopolitical tensions and expectations of further U.S. rate cuts in 2026; it’s now up 158% YTD. Copper touched a five-month peak near $5.7/lb, benefiting from EV and renewable energy demand, while palm oil rose for a fourth straight session, supported by stronger edible oil markets and Indian imports. Singapore’s manufacturing expanded 14.3% YoY, beating forecasts, while the South Korean won led currency gainers. In Asia, Chinese stocks extended an eight-session rally as the yuan hit a 15-month high after PBOC support signals. Crypto markets traded brightly green during the holiday lull, with Bitcoin and Ethereum extending weekly gains.
Friday
On Friday, stocks edged higher in light holiday trading, with the S&P 500 and Dow each up 0.1% to fresh records and the Nasdaq also gaining 0.1%. Nvidia climbed 1% after sealing a licensing deal with AI startup Groq, fueling renewed interest in AI and megacap tech. Energy shares rose as U.S. moves on Venezuelan oil exports boosted crude. Investors also weighed data showing Q3 GDP grew a strong 4.3%, reinforcing economic resilience but cooling hopes for swift Fed rate cuts. Trading volume stayed thin, leaving markets steady into year-end. Meanwhile, the crypto market traded broadly in the green, with Bitcoin and Ethereum extending gains on upbeat sentiment and risk-on flows.
On Week 1, 2026, jobless claims, pending home sales and most importantly FOMC minutes will be om the traders’ radars.
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