US Stocks Close 2025 Near Records After Turbulent Year

2025-12-31 14:35 By Joana Ferreira 1 min. read

US stocks were largely unchanged on the final trading day of 2025 as markets wrapped up a volatile year defined by uncertainty over President Trump’s tariffs and excitement around AI-driven growth.

The S&P 500 was little-changed at 6,900 points, near an all-time high and on track to post a 17% gain for the year, its third consecutive double-digit annual advance.

The Nasdaq is set for a 21% rise, while the Dow gained 13%, somewhat restrained by its limited tech exposure.

Despite strong gains, annual returns lagged the rallies of the past two years, as Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs sparked a global sell-off in April and clouded the Fed’s policy outlook.

Communication services led sector performance, fueled by Alphabet’s 65% surge, its best year since 2009 and nearing a $4 trillion market cap.

Looking ahead, the Fed’s interest rate trajectory will remain a key driver for global markets in 2026 amid signs of a slowing labor market and expectations of a potentially dovish new Fed chair.



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