As of today, the S&P 500 Index is up 0.39%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average is up 0.84%, and the Nasdaq 100 is up 0.64%. The increases are attributed to a rebound in chip makers and AI infrastructure stocks following a downturn last Friday. In related news, President Trump announced a strategic stockpile of rare-earth minerals with a proposed $12 billion investment to reduce reliance on China.
The partial U.S. government shutdown enters its third day, affecting investor sentiment as markets await a potential funding deal. The House is expected to vote on a spending bill soon. Additionally, there are growing concerns about China’s economic health, as the Shanghai Composite Index fell over 2% to a four-week low after unexpected declines in manufacturing indices.
Upcoming economic indicators include a projected rise in December JOLTS job openings to 7.250 million, while earnings growth for S&P 500 companies in Q4 is expected at 8.4%. This follows positive reporting trends, with 78% of companies surpassing expectations so far this earnings season.
