Stock futures dipped slightly ahead of the last trading session of 2024, following a strong year where the S&P 500 gained over 23.8%, marking its second consecutive annual gain above 20%. The Dow added nearly 13%, while the Nasdaq increased by 29.8%. The surge was fueled by optimism around rate cuts, economic resilience, and advancements in artificial intelligence, particularly benefiting major tech stocks like Nvidia and Apple. However, a recent loss of momentum amid December profit-taking and concerns over rising rates has dampened sentiment. The Dow faced its worst month since September 2022, and the market is anticipating a quieter close due to the holiday.
