U.S. stock futures were stable following a volatile start to 2024, with Dow Jones futures up slightly by 9 points. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 also showed modest gains. However, a choppy trading session on January 1 saw the Dow drop over 150 points, while both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq fell around 0.2%. Despite a strong 2024 overall, the S&P 500 ended December with losses, and the anticipated “Santa Claus” rally did not occur. Analysts attribute current market weakness to sentiment-driven exhaustion rather than specific catalysts, with traders closely monitoring upcoming economic data and Federal Reserve speeches.
