"Major Index Performance: S&P 500 Dips, Dow Rises Amid Fed Outlook"

**Major Index Performance**- **S&P 500**: Closed at 5,867.08 on December 24, down by 5.08 points or -0.09%[4].- **Dow Jones Industrial Average**: Closed at 42,342.24, up by 15.37 points or +0.04%[4].- **NASDAQ Composite**: Closed at 19,372.77, down by 19.92 points or -0.10%[4].**Key Factors Driving Today's Market Direction**- The Federal Reserve's decision to cut interest rates less than previously expected in 2025 led to a sharp decline earlier in the week[3][4].- Positive inflation data from the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) report showed core and headline prices rising 0.1% in November, slightly below analyst consensus[4].**Notable Sector Performance**- **Top Gainers**: - Information Technology: Despite a slight decline, this sector remains one of the top performers for the year, up 38.4% YTD[3]. - Communication Services: Down -2.1% for the week but up 41.4% YTD[3].- **Top Decliners**: - Energy: Down -5.6% for the week[3]. - Materials: Down -4.1% for the week[3]. - Real Estate: Down -4.7% for the week[3].**Market Highlights**- **Most Actively Traded Stocks**: No specific data available for the current day, but stocks of banks and tech companies have been actively traded due to recent economic and political developments[5].- **Biggest Percentage Gainers and Losers**: Specific stocks not detailed, but sectors like Energy and Materials saw significant declines[3].- **Significant Market-Moving News Events**: - The Federal Reserve's hawkish outlook and reduced expectations for interest rate cuts in 2025[3][4]. - Positive GDP growth of 3.1% in the third quarter, higher than initial estimates[3].**Technical Analysis**- **Current Market Trend**: - **S&P 500**: Despite a bearish reversal off the pivot, overall momentum is still considered bullish. However, the price could fall towards the 1st support at 5,984.70[2]. - **Dow Jones**: Bullish overall momentum with potential for a bullish bounce off the pivot at 43,059.45[2]. - **NASDAQ**: Bearish indicators but part of a broader bullish trend for the year[2][3].- **Key Support and Resistance Levels**: - **S&P 500**: Support at 5,984.70, resistance at 6,099.60[2]. - **Dow Jones**: Support at 42,084.74, resistance not specified but potential bounce off pivot at 43,059.45[2].- **Trading Volume Analysis**: No specific data available for the current day.- **VIX Movement and Implications**: The Cboe Volatility Index surged 74% on Wednesday but settled down to 18.4 by Friday, indicating reduced short-term volatility expectations[3].**Forward-Looking Elements**- **Pre-market Futures Indication**: Not available in the provided sources.- **Key Events to Watch for Tomorrow**: - No major economic data releases or events specified for December 27.- **Important Upcoming Earnings Releases**: No specific releases mentioned for the immediate future.- **Potential Market Catalysts**: - Further interest rate decisions by the Federal Reserve in 2025. - Economic data releases, including GDP and inflation reports[3][4].This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI