Hi there,

Overview: US stocks slipped on Monday as investors moved to lock in gains from a blockbuster year. While the S&P 500 remains up over 17% for 2025, the session was marked by a shift in sentiment as markets digested recent records and prepared for the 2026 outlook. A sharp correction in gold prices also weighed on the materials sector.

📈 Major Indices

• S&P 500: Slipped -0.35%, closing at 6,905.74.
• Nasdaq Composite: Declined -0.50%, ending at 23,474.35.
• Dow Jones Industrial Average: Lost -0.51%, closing at 48,461.93.

🏛️ Bonds, FX & Commodities

• US 10-Year Yield: Declined to 4.115%, its lowest level since early December, as investors sought the safety of government debt.
• US Dollar Index (DXY): Remained steady near 98.40, supported by end-of-year rebalancing.
• Gold: Suffered a sharp correction, falling -4.4% to settle near $4,349.30 per ounce after hitting multiple records last week.
• WTI Crude Oil: Remained under pressure, trading near $55.40 per barrel, maintaining its technical downtrend into the year-end.
• Bitcoin: Saw increased volatility, trading near $88,500 after failing to hold the $90k level during the session.

📊 Specific Stock Performance

• GOOGL (Alphabet Inc.): Down -0.8% (approx. $313.15). Faced profit-taking alongside other mega-cap tech peers after a strong December run.
• META (Meta Platforms): Down -1.1% (approx. $671.15). Underperformed as investors trimmed positions in "2025 winners" ahead of the new year.
• FLTR.L (Flutter Entertainment): Up +0.15% (16,690.00p). Showed resilience in the London session, bucking the downward trend seen in US-listed peers.
• ALK (Alaska Air Group): Down -0.4% ($51.38). Drifted lower in line with the broader industrial sector.
• PFE (Pfizer Inc.): Up +0.3% ($24.95). Caught a minor defensive bid as investors rotated out of high-growth sectors into value laggards.
• STZ (Constellation Brands): Up +0.2% ($135.57). Stabilized after recent underperformance, showing some defensive strength.
• NVO (Novo Nordisk ADR): Down -1.4% ($51.67). Eased back from its recent FDA-fueled surge as part of the broader healthcare sector pull-back.

Today, Tuesday, December 30, is the penultimate trading day of the year. Historically, these sessions can be volatile due to low volume and "window dressing" by fund managers.

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