Dow Jones and Nasdaq Pause Near Year-End While Gold and Silver Shine
U.S. stocks edged lower in light year-end trading on Tuesday, while gold and silver rebounded sharply after the previous session’s pullback.
Quick overview
- U.S. stocks experienced modest declines as year-end trading activity slowed, with major indexes remaining on track for double-digit gains in 2025.
- The S&P 500 fell 0.1%, while the Dow Jones and Nasdaq both slipped 0.2%, despite technology stocks continuing to influence market direction.
- Gold and silver rebounded sharply after previous declines, with gold rising 1.4% and silver surging 10.9%, driven by economic uncertainty and supply constraints.
- Global equity markets showed mixed results, with notable upward movements in commodities following a recent pullback.
Live DOW Chart
U.S. stocks edged lower in light year-end trading on Tuesday, while gold and silver rebounded sharply after the previous session’s pullback.
Wall Street Slows as 2025 Nears Its End
U.S. equities slipped modestly on Tuesday as trading activity thinned and markets moved closer to the end of the year. With most institutional investors having already closed their books, volumes remained light, leaving indexes vulnerable to small, directionless moves.
Despite the soft session, the broader picture for 2025 remains firmly positive. Every major U.S. equity benchmark is on track to post a double-digit gain for the year, underscoring the resilience of risk appetite.
Major Indexes Edge Lower
The S&P 500 eased 0.1%, falling 9.50 points to 6,894.24. Even after three consecutive sessions of minor declines, the benchmark remains up more than 17% for the year.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.2%, losing 94.87 points to close at 48,367.06, while the Nasdaq Composite also fell 0.2% to 23,419.08.
Technology Stocks Continue to Set the Tone
Technology stocks remained the dominant influence on market direction, particularly companies tied to artificial intelligence. Nvidia dipped 0.4% and Apple edged 0.2% lower, with both stocks carrying outsized weight across the major indexes.
On the upside, Meta Platforms gained 1.1% after announcing the acquisition of AI startup Manus, reinforcing its aggressive push to expand artificial intelligence capabilities across its platforms.
Global Markets Mixed, Commodities Lead
Equity markets were mixed across Asia and mostly higher in Europe, offering little in the way of a unified global signal.
The more notable moves occurred in commodities. Gold, silver, and copper all resumed their upward trajectory after sharp declines the previous day. Gold rose 1.4% to $4,386.30 per ounce, while silver surged 10.9%.
Monday’s pullback followed a decision by the Chicago Mercantile Exchange to raise margin requirements on precious metals. Even so, gold and silver remain among 2025’s strongest performers, supported by economic uncertainty and persistent supply constraints.
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