Wall Street Ends Higher Before Christmas

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Find out what happening right now and get all the pieces of the puzzle on important data activity before the major news sources break the story and see what are the trends
 

•  24 Dec 2025
 

•   INTC  
   
  +0.75%
•   MU  
   
  +0.03%
•   NKE  
   
  -0.12%
•   NVDA  
   
  +0.43%
•   TSLA  
   
  +0.94%

Wall Street closed with modest gains ahead of the Christmas holiday, reflecting a market that is optimistic but measured. Thin trading volumes and shortened sessions kept moves contained, yet the broader tone remained constructive as investors balanced strong economic data with lingering questions around interest rates and 2026 positioning.

DJI The Dow Jones Industrial Average led the session with a gain of about 0.6%, pushing closer to record territory. Defensive exposure mixed with selective buying in industrial and consumer names helped support the index, as investors chose stability over bold bets during the holiday lull.

SPX The S&P 500 added roughly 0.3%, extending a strong year in which the index is already up around 16%. December has been uneven so far, but with no major macro data expected until January, many traders see room for a potential year-end lift driven by positioning rather than fundamentals.

IXIC The Nasdaq rose a more modest 0.2%, reflecting a pause in momentum among large-cap technology stocks. Investors remain constructive on long-term growth themes, but are showing discipline after a powerful run earlier in the year.

$NKE Nike jumped about 5% and drew heavy attention after reports of meaningful insider buying. The fact that senior board members, including Apple CEO Tim Cook, added shares shortly after a disappointing earnings report was read by the market as a long-term confidence signal. For investors, this kind of insider activity often matters most when sentiment is fragile.

$MU Micron gained roughly 4%, supported by continued optimism around memory demand tied to artificial intelligence and data centers. Traders see the stock as a leveraged way to express confidence in the AI infrastructure cycle, especially as expectations build for improved pricing power into 2026.

$INTC Intel slipped modestly after reports that Nvidia paused testing of Intel’s advanced 18A manufacturing process. While Intel maintains that development remains on schedule, the news reinforced market caution around execution risk and the company’s effort to close the gap with leading foundries.

$NVDA Nvidia traded slightly lower on the day but remains central to the broader AI narrative. Any signal around supply chains or manufacturing partners tends to move sentiment quickly, underscoring how sensitive expectations have become around the company’s growth path.

$TSM Taiwan Semiconductor was referenced by investors as the benchmark Intel still needs to catch. The comparison highlights why the market continues to scrutinize every update related to advanced manufacturing and capacity leadership.

$TSLA Tesla traded near flat after a volatile stretch, with the stock recently approaching the $500 level before light profit-taking. Investor focus has shifted away from near-term electric vehicle demand toward longer-term ambitions around autonomous taxis, AI-driven platforms, and humanoid robotics. The stock reflects high expectations, along with equally high sensitivity to shifts in sentiment.

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