US Futures Dip, Stocks Still Poised for Yearly Gains
US stock futures edged lower on the final trading day of 2025, as markets prepared to close a turbulent year marked by uncertainty over President Trump’s tariffs and enthusiasm around AI-driven gains. The S&P 500 and Dow are on track to finish higher for an eighth consecutive month, supported by strong demand for AI stocks that pushed major indexes to record highs.
Still, annual gains are set to lag the rallies of the past two years, after Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs triggered a global market sell-off in April and added uncertainty to the Fed’s policy outlook. Communication services led sector performance, driven by Alphabet’s 65% surge, its best year since 2009 and bringing it close to a $4 trillion market cap. Looking ahead, the Fed’s interest rate path will shape global markets in 2026 amid signs of a slowing US labor market and expectations for a potentially dovish new Fed chair.
Source: Trading Economi