📈 Stocks / Finance

US Stocks Drop on Weak Economic Data

Nasdaq

Major US indexes fall, with the S&P 500 hitting a 2.5 week low as Nov unemployment rises to 4.6 percent, retail sales stall, and the Dec manufacturing PMI slips to 51.8. Energy stocks drag markets as WTI drops over 3 percent to a 4.75 year low.

Tesla Sets New Record High on Robotaxi Momentum

CNBC

Tesla hit a record close at $489.88, up 21 percent YTD, after reports of driverless tests in Austin. Market cap reached $1.63T. Mizuho raised its target to $530 citing FSD gains that could speed robotaxi expansion.

S&P 500 History Suggests Seasonal Rally Odds

The Motley Fool

Article explains that the S&P 500 has posted gains in nearly 80 percent of Santa Claus rally periods since 1950 with an average 1.3 percent return. LPL data shows only two back to back negative periods since 1950. It adds that timing a rally is unreliable.

🪙 Crypto

BNB Pushes Past $870 as Volume Jumps

CoinDesk

BNB rose 2.5 percent to $872, outperforming the CD20 index gain of 1.4 percent. Trading hit highs near $876 with volume above recent averages. Analysts watch support at $870 and resistance at $880, with a potential move toward $900 if momentum holds.

🌎 Global Economy

Swiss Re estimates 220bn global disaster losses in 2025

Yahoo Finance

Swiss Re projects $220bn in global disaster losses in 2025, down from $327bn in 2024. Insured losses hit $107bn, driven by a 40bn LA wildfire. Storm losses reached $50bn with 13 named storms and three Category 5 hurricanes. US events made up 83 percent of insured losses

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