On December 31, 2024, traders at the New York Stock Exchange saw slight increases in stock futures as they entered 2025, hopeful for continued market momentum. The Dow Jones, S&P 500, and Nasdaq-100 futures rose, reflecting solid annual gains despite weak trading at the year’s end. The S&P 500 surged 23%, the Dow nearly 13%, and the Nasdaq Composite advanced 29%, led by major tech companies like Nvidia and Apple. However, the market ended the year with four down days, dampening hopes for a typical “Santa Claus rally.” Investors are also monitoring a potential terrorist incident in New Orleans.
