U.S. Stock Market Retreats as Santa Rally Hopes Fade
A Quiet Pullback Amid a Lack of Clear Catalysts U.S. stock markets closed lower as investors struggled to find fresh catalysts to sustain recent gains. With little new economic data and profit-taking emerging in previously strong sectors, all three major indexes ended the session in negative territory. The pullback reflects a market that is pausing after a strong year, rather than one entering a period of panic or disorder. At the New York Stock Exchange , the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell modestly, while the broader S&P 500 and the technology-heavy Nasdaq also retreated. The weakness was particularly notable because it arrived during a period when investors traditionally expect a year-end rally. Strong Yearly Performance Still Intact Despite the day’s decline, the broader picture remains constructive. Since the beginning of the year, all three major U.S. equity indexes have posted double-digit gains. The S&P 500, Dow, and Nasdaq are each on track to finish higher for ...