2025.12.1621:03:55UTC+00S&P 500 and Dow Close Lower, Nasdaq Rebounds

The S&P 500 and the Dow ended Tuesday on a down note, losing 0.1% and 0.4% respectively, whereas the Nasdaq saw a 0.4% uptick as investors processed delayed U.S. economic data that largely supported the outlook for a future easing cycle. The November employment report indicated an increase in payrolls by 64,000—a bit above predictions—despite a significant downward revision of October’s figures and an unemployment rate rise to 4.6%, the highest since 2021, suggesting a gradually cooling labor market. Overall retail sales remained stagnant, further indicating a waning demand. The energy sector suffered as oil prices plummeted below $55 per barrel, reaching their lowest point since early 2021, which adversely affected major companies like Exxon Mobil, down 2.6%, and Chevron, down 2%. The performance of large-cap technology stocks was mixed; Alphabet dropped 0.5%, while Apple, Microsoft, and Amazon remained mostly unchanged. On the positive side, Nvidia increased by 0.8%, Meta rose by 1.5%, Tesla surged by 3.1%, and both Broadcom, up 0.4%, and Oracle, up 2%, recovered, contributing to the Nasdaq's resilience despite the overall market caution.