Key Takeaways
- The S&P 500 added 1.1% on Friday, Dec. 20, 2024, as indicators of decelerating inflation supplied some reassurance heading into the year-end holidays.
- Shares of information analytics software program agency Palantir Applied sciences soared forward of the inventory’s addition to the Nasdaq 100 Index subsequent week.
- Carnival shares moved increased after the cruise operator topped quarterly revenue estimates and issued a constructive 2025 outlook.
Main U.S. equities indexes pushed increased on the ultimate day of an eventful week within the markets.
Friday’s positive aspects got here as the most recent Personal Consumption Expenditure (PCE) knowledge—a gauge of inflation intently monitored by the Federal Reserve—confirmed price increases decelerating in November versus the earlier month. Traders hoping for alerts that the Fed will observe this week’s interest-rate discount with extra cuts in 2025 welcomed the studying.
The S&P 500 popped 1.1% increased, clawing again a portion of the losses posted earlier within the week because the Fed struck a cautious tone relating to subsequent yr’s coverage strikes. The Dow and the Nasdaq have been up 1.2% and 1%, respectively.
Shares of photo voltaic expertise supplier Enphase Power (ENPH) rose 8.6%, gaining essentially the most of any S&P 500 inventory, after OTR International lifted its view on the inventory to «blended» from «destructive.» In line with channel-checks by the market analysis agency, Enphase is benefitting as competitor SolarEdge (SEDG) experiences a drop in U.S. orders for photo voltaic string inverters. Earlier this week, Enphase launched shipments of its dwelling battery system in India.
Palantir Applied sciences (PLTR) inventory jumped 8.5%, extending a run-up that has now carried shares of huge knowledge analytics agency round 369% increased in 2024. Palantir mentioned earlier this week that it extended its contract with the U.S. Army, which makes use of the corporate’s synthetic intelligence (AI) software program to assist speed up key decision-making processes. Palantir inventory is about to join the influential Nasdaq 100 Index subsequent week.
Match Group (MTCH) shares gained 6.7% on Friday, bouncing again from earlier losses this week following downgrades by Jefferies and Morgan Stanley. Though analysts are involved about development developments for Tinder, the web relationship firm’s largest platform, a current Wall Avenue Journal report highlighted investments to enhance the app’s person expertise and famous that lowered expectations might supply Match some flexibility to execute its turnaround plan.
Cruise operator Carnival (CCL) posted better-than-expected fourth-quarter profits, boosted by year-over-year positive aspects in passenger ticket, onboard and different income. The corporate struck an upbeat tone for 2025, noting the amount of bookings taken throughout the fourth quarter for voyages subsequent yr exceeded equal figures from final yr regardless of decrease out there stock. Carnival shares sailed 6.4% increased Friday, whereas shares of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH) added 5.9%.
Medical gadget producer Dexcom (DXCM) added a characteristic this week to its over-the-counter glucose displays that makes use of generative AI to supply sufferers with customized well being ideas. Dexcom shares superior 5.6% on Friday as Zacks Equities Analysis revealed a report noting that upbeat earnings and income development expectations might assist underpin sturdy returns for the inventory in 2025.
Tesla (TSLA) shares wrapped up a unstable week of buying and selling with a each day decline of three.5%, logging the S&P 500’s weakest efficiency. Friday’s downturn got here because the carmaker recalled round 700,000 autos within the U.S. to deal with a problem affecting tire stress displays.
Package deal supply big FedEx (FDX) trimmed its full-year income steerage and introduced plans to separate its freight business. Whereas FedEx shares have been primarily flat on Friday, the announcement raised considerations concerning the near-term efficiency of the less-than-truckload, or LTL, freight trade, weighing on different trucking shares. Outdated Dominion Freight Line (ODFL) shares sank 3.4%.