Investing Updates: What to Expect in the Week Ahead (Christmas Holiday, Q3 GDP Growth and CB Consumer Confidence)

Source:

https://www.moomoo.com/news/post/63132154/what-to-expect-in-the-week-ahead-christmas-holiday-q3?level=1&data_ticket=1766364870315733

ChatGPT:

U.S. markets head into Christmas week on a relatively calm note, following a volatile but ultimately steady stretch in equities. Stocks rose on Friday, supported by gains in Oracle as enthusiasm around artificial intelligence rebounded after recent turbulence. With the Q3 earnings season concluded and the holiday period beginning, trading activity is expected to be lighter, while attention shifts toward macroeconomic signals and longer-term policy considerations, including speculation around the next Federal Reserve chair.

Christmas week is typically quiet for U.S. markets. Stock exchanges will close early on December 24 and remain shut on December 25. The key economic focus falls on Tuesday, December 23, when several important data releases are scheduled. These include durable goods orders, the second estimate of third-quarter GDP growth, and the Conference Board’s consumer confidence reading. Economists expect the GDP revision to confirm a solid 3.2% annualized expansion in Q3, reinforcing the view that the U.S. economy remains resilient. Durable goods orders for October are forecast to rise 0.4%, offering insight into business investment trends, while consumer confidence will shed light on household sentiment heading into year-end.

Market performance last week was largely mixed. The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 0.67%, while the S&P 500 edged up 0.1% and the Nasdaq Composite gained 0.48%. Trading activity was concentrated in well-known names such as Nvidia, Tesla, Oracle, Broadcom, Palantir, Micron Technology, Nike, and Rocket Lab.

Among notable movers, Rocket Lab surged nearly 15% after securing its largest contract to date, potentially worth $805 million, boosting optimism around its growth prospects. Micron jumped over 10% on strong revenue guidance, easing concerns about AI-related volatility. In contrast, Nike was one of the week’s worst performers, plunging nearly 13% amid weaker China sales and margin pressure from higher tariffs.