Subdued New Year's Eve on Wall Street

Lola Evans
31 Dec 2024

NEW YORK, New York - U.S. stocks finished a stellar year on a limp note Tuesday, as investors and traders downed tools to celebrate the upcoming new year.

Here are the closing quotes for the major indices:

S&P 500 (^GSPC)

Close: 5,881.63
Change: -25.31 (minus 0.43 percent)
Volume: 1.751B

The benchmark S&P 500 slipped into negative territory by the closing bell, shedding 25.31 points. Traders cited cautious optimism around upcoming economic reports but remained wary of market volatility.

Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI)

Close: 42,544.22
Change: -29.51 (minus 0.07 percent)
Volume: 349.926M

The Dow Jones Industrial Average edged lower, losing 29.51 points. Blue-chip stocks were mixed, with several heavyweight components balancing out the declines seen in other sectors.

NASDAQ Composite (^IXIC)

Close: 19,310.79
Change: -175.99 (minus 0.90 percent)
Volume: 8.22B

Tech shares led the decline, dragging the NASDAQ Composite down by nearly one percent. Concerns over interest rate moves and tech valuations drove heavier selling in the sector.

Global Currency Markets Mixed as U.S. Dollar Extends Gains

Global foreign exchange markets experienced mixed movements on Tuesday, with the U.S. dollar showing strength against most major currencies. The dollar index was slightly stronger, at 108.48, rising +0.34 points, or +0.32 percent against a basket of currencies.

EUR/USD (Euro / US Dollar)

1.0358, down by -0.46 percent
The euro slid against the dollar, pressured by softer-than-expected economic indicators out of the Eurozone. Traders also pointed to ongoing uncertainty around the European Central Bank's rate policy heading into the next quarter.

USD/JPY (US Dollar / Japanese Yen)

157.25, up by +0.27 percent
The dollar advanced against the yen, supported by optimism over the U.S. economic outlook and slightly higher Treasury yields despite a dip earlier in the day. In Japan, investors awaited key economic data releases, including inflation updates.

USD/CAD (US Dollar / Canadian Dollar)

1.4381, higher by +0.20 percent
The greenback appreciated versus the loonie despite a recent uptick in oil prices, which typically benefits the Canadian currency. Analysts suggest that dollar strength may persist if the Bank of Canada maintains a cautious approach to further rate hikes.

GBP/USD (British Pound / US Dollar)

1.2516, lower by -0.27 percent
Sterling drifted lower, with market participants concerned about growth prospects and potential policy shifts by the Bank of England. Ongoing negotiations around trade and economic reforms also weighed on the pound.

USD/CHF (US Dollar / Swiss Franc)

0.9074, up by +0.43 percent
The dollar strengthened against the Swiss franc, as investors shifted away from traditional safe havens. Softer Swiss economic data added to the franc's underperformance.

AUD/USD (Australian Dollar / US Dollar)

0.6188, down by -0.50 percent
The Aussie took a hit amid signs of slowing demand for Australian exports and mixed sentiment toward commodity-driven currencies. Traders remained cautious in light of China's evolving policy landscape, which could affect Australia's trade outlook.

NZD/USD (New Zealand Dollar / US Dollar)

0.5594, lower by -0.76 percent
The Kiwi was the day's notable underperformer, sliding in the wake of disappointing domestic data. Market watchers also pointed to cautious risk sentiment across Asia-Pacific markets, which put additional pressure on the currency.

Global Stock Markets Close Higher in Europe, Mixed Across Asia on Final Day of 2024

On the final trading day of the year, major equity indices across Europe and the UK closed mostly in positive territory Tuesday, while Asian markets ended the session mixed. Investors weighed the latest economic data releases and looked ahead to 2025 with cautious optimism, balancing ongoing inflation concerns and central bank signals against hopes of a global economic rebound.

UK Markets

FTSE 100 (^FTSE)
The UK's benchmark index concluded the year on a buoyant note at 8,173.02, adding +52.01 points, or +0.64 percent. Energy and financial shares helped support gains despite thin holiday trading volumes.

European Markets

DAX P (^GDAXI)
Germany's DAX slipped amid profit-taking, ending at 19,909.14 with a loss of -75.18 points, or -0.38 percent. Investors cited concerns about manufacturing outlook and upcoming policy announcements from the European Central Bank.

CAC 40 (^FCHI)
France's CAC 40 outperformed many of its regional peers, rising to 7,380.74, up +67.18 points, or +0.92 percent. Gains were led by luxury and automotive stocks, reflecting sustained consumer demand.

EURO STOXX 50 I (^STOXX50E)
The broader Eurozone gauge closed at 4,895.98, shedding -2.90 points, or -0.06 percent. Despite the slight dip, many analysts remain upbeat about Euro-area growth heading into 2025.

Euronext 100 Index (^N100)
The Euronext 100 concluded at 1,453.67, advancing +10.46 points, or +0.72 percent, supported by pharmaceutical and industrial shares.

BEL 20 (^BFX)
Belgium's BEL 20 index climbed to 4,264.53, adding +38.54 points, or +0.91 percent, buoyed by gains in consumer goods and banking.

MSCI EUROPE (^125904-USD-STRD)
The pan-European index in dollar terms ended at 2,001.94, rising +5.00 points, or +0.25 percent, underscoring steady investor appetite for European equities despite currency fluctuations.

Asian Markets

HANG SENG INDEX (^HSI)
Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index closed modestly higher at 20,059.95, a gain of +18.53 points, or +0.09 percent, with tech shares showing resilience.

SSE Composite Index (000001.SS)
Mainland China's key index slid to 3,351.76, a loss of -55.56 points, or -1.63 percent, weighed down by property and industrial sectors.

Nikkei 225 (^N225)
Japan's benchmark ended at 39,894.54, surrendering -386.62 points, or -0.96 percent, as investors digested mixed economic data and a stronger yen earlier in the session.

STI Index (^STI)
In Singapore, the STI Index retreated to 3,787.60, down -8.13 points, or -0.21 percent, as investors locked in profits before the year's end.

FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (^KLSE)
In Kuala Lumpur, the benchmark reached 1,642.33, up +4.65 points, or +0.28 percent, as investors maintained positions in consumer and technology stocks ahead of the holiday.

S&P/ASX 200 (^AXJO)
Australia's primary index declined to 8,159.10, losing -75.90 points, or -0.92 percent, with miners and energy stocks under pressure.

ALL ORDINARIES (^AORD)
The broader Australian market followed suit, closing at 8,420.50, a decline of -75.50 points, or -0.89 percent.

S&P BSE SENSEX (^BSESN)
India's Sensex inched lower to 78,139.01, off -109.12 points, or -0.14 percent, amid mixed signals on the domestic economic front.

S&P/NZX 50 INDEX GROSS (^NZ50)
New Zealand's benchmark slid to 13,110.74, down -159.27 points, or -1.20 percent, as cautious trading overshadowed encouraging tourism data.

KOSPI Composite Index (^KS11)
South Korea's KOSPI ended at 2,399.49, decreasing -5.28 points, or -0.22 percent, tracking volatility in tech shares.

TWSE Capitalization Weighted Stock Index (^TWII)
Taiwan's leading index closed at 23,035.10, falling -155.10 points, or -0.67 percent, as semiconductor and electronics shares saw moderate sell-offs.

Middle East and African Markets

TA-125 (^TA125.TA)
Israel's TA-125 gained ground, finishing at 2,426.90, up +30.84 points, or +1.29 percent, with strong performances in tech and financials.

EGX 30 Price Return Index (^CASE30)
Cairo's benchmark rallied to 29,740.60, adding +415.40 points, or +1.42 percent, with investors responding positively to the latest economic reforms.

Top 40 USD Net TRI Index (^JN0U.JO)
South Africa's Top 40 USD Net TRI Index declined to 4,294.13, down -24.92 points, or -0.58 percent, as mining shares faced headwinds from lower commodity prices.

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