Week 7 was red for both stocks and crypto.
On Monday, stocks climbed as the Dow rose less than 1% to a new high, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq gained about 1%, led by large-cap tech and AI shares. Nvidia, Broadcom, and Oracle all advanced on renewed AI optimism ahead of key US jobs and inflation data. In currency markets, the offshore yuan strengthened to about 6.9 per dollar — its highest in nearly three years — after Chinese regulators urged banks to trim exposure to US Treasuries, signaling a gradual shift toward stronger domestic assets. In Australia, private house approvals grew less than 1%, marking steady but cooling housing demand. In crypto, Ether jumped 1%, Ripple rose 1%, and Bitcoin edged up less than 1%.
On Tuesday, Markets were mixed as the Dow hit a new high, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq slipped, with weak December retail sales (flat vs roughly 0.4% expected) weighing on sentiment and pressuring retail and financial stocks. AI‑related capital spending and new AI advisory tools unsettled some financial names, though tech traded unevenly and Spotify jumped about 15% on strong results. Gold climbed above about $5,100 per ounce, near a two‑week high, as softer US data boosted expectations for roughly three Federal Reserve rate cuts this year, with central bank buying and geopolitical tensions adding support. In crypto, major tokens dropped, with Ether, Binance Coin, Ripple, and Bitcoin all down around 2–4%.
On Wednesday, stocks rose on a volatile, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq up around 0.3% and the Dow setting a record above 50,200. Strong non-farm payrolls, up about 130,000, and a lower unemployment rate highlighted a solid labor market and undercut expectations of imminent Fed easing. AI infrastructure names like Micron, Texas Instruments, and Lam Research climbed over 5%, while software firms such as Salesforce, ServiceNow, Intuit, Oracle, and Palantir slid, reflecting fears of AI-driven disruption. T‑Mobile fell roughly 5% on weak user growth and Humana dipped about 1%. The US ran a January budget deficit near $95 billion, smaller than last year. Crypto lagged, with Ether down about 3%, Bitcoin 2%, and Ripple 2%.
On Thursday, stocks fell as tech weakness erased early gains — the S&P 500 slipped 2%, the Dow 1%, and the Nasdaq 100 nearly 2%. AI-linked sectors faced renewed doubts about the profitability of massive compute spending and automation risks. Apple sank 5% in its worst drop since spring, while Amazon, Meta, Broadcom, and Palantir fell around 2%–5%. Cisco plunged over 12% on weak guidance, though defensives like Walmart (+4%) and McDonald’s (+3%) gained after earnings, and Micron rose on HBM4 chip progress. A strong jobs report kept rate-cut hopes low ahead of Friday’s CPI data. Fed Governor Stephen Miran cautioned that policy may be overly tight and advocated rate cuts to sustain growth. Bitcoin dipped less than 1%, tracking modest crypto market moves.
On Friday, stocks were flat with the S&P 500 and Dow barely moving and the Nasdaq up about 0.2%, leaving major indexes roughly 2% lower for the week as softer January inflation failed to boost risk appetite amid AI volatility. Inflation cooled as expected, keeping markets positioned for multiple Federal Reserve rate cuts this year. Big tech and chip names like Nvidia, Apple, Alphabet, Meta, and Broadcom fell around 1–2%, while software firms Salesforce and Oracle gained more than 2%, and Applied Materials and Arista Networks jumped roughly 8% and 5% after strong earnings. In crypto, Ether rose about 5%, Bitcoin 4%, and Ripple roughly 3%, leading digital‑asset gains.
On Week 8, mid‑February data will shape views on the global economy amid trade, monetary, and fiscal uncertainty. The Federal Reserve will release minutes from its latest pause, while the US reports fourth‑quarter GDP plus new income and spending figures. Canada updates inflation, and European PMIs will signal momentum in key economies. With China’s New Year holidays, attention turns to Japan’s fourth‑quarter GDP and inflation, and Australia’s central bank minutes. Earnings from Walmart, Airbus, Newmont, BHP, Palo Alto Networks, Booking, Analog Devices, Warner Bros, and Air Liquide will also guide markets.
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.
Also read: How privacy narrative sparked ZCash’s rally — And what it needs now
