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Trending Sectors | Tech Titans, AI Surge, and EV Gains Lead Sector Performance Amid Holiday Rally

Market BriefWednesday, Dec 25, 2024 4:31 pm ET
2min read
【Major U.S. Stock Indices】

The three major U.S. stock indices closed higher, with the S&P 500 up about 1.01%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average up 0.85%, and the Nasdaq rising by 1.47%. The rise was primarily driven by the Santa Claus rally, with strong performance in tech stocks providing solid support to the market. However, investors should be aware of potential tech bubble risks.

【Performance of Leading Tech】

Among the tech giants, Microsoft increased by 0.94%, Apple by 1.15%, Amazon by 1.77%, Alphabet (Google) A by 0.76%, and Meta by 1.32%. Tesla stood out with a surge of 7.36%, linked to its market cap accounting for half of the global automotive industry, and the popularity of its Cybertruck threatening Ford's sales. Apple continues its push toward a $4 trillion market cap, thanks to advancements in AI chip development, potentially ending its historical rivalry with Nvidia.

【AI and Chip Sector Performance】

The AI sector continued to be highly sought after, with Nvidia rising 0.39%, and achieving a cumulative four-day gain of 8.77%. Nvidia's sustained strong performance is driven by AI technology as well as its leadership in the chip field. SMCI also showed robust growth, increasing by 5.96%, while Arm Holdings rose by 3.88%. Intel's product release plans at CES 2025 contributed to a 0.99% gain. Among chip manufacturers, TSMC fell slightly by 0.50%, yet Intel's gains reflect continued market interest in AI PCs.

【EVs, Oil, Gold, and Other Sectors】

The electric vehicle sector saw overall gains driven by Tesla, with domestic newcomers like Li Auto, NIO, and XPeng also rising, reflecting market optimism about the future of EVs. In the oil sector, ExxonMobil, Occidental, and Chevron saw minor increases, despite oil prices wavering between geopolitical factors and supply concerns. Gold stocks generally rose, with LBMA Gold Price PM up 0.20%, as investors sought safe-haven assets to hedge against potential market volatility.

【Cryptocurrency and Meme Stocks】

In the digital currency sector, companies like Coinbase and Microstrategy saw their stock prices sharply rise, up 4.28% and 7.81%, respectively, possibly due to increased use of Bitcoin in global trade. Meme stocks showed mixed performance, with AMC Theatres down 1.46%, but GameStop up 0.78%.

【Banks, Retail, and Vaccine Stocks】

Bank stocks broadly rose, led by JPMorgan and Goldman Sachs, up 1.64% and 2.10%, respectively. Retail stocks showed mixed results, with Walmart up 2.58%, possibly benefiting from strong holiday season sales expectations, but Dollar Tree down 0.47%. Among vaccine stocks, Moderna increased by 1.72%, while Novavax fell 1.50%, reflecting differing levels of market confidence in vaccine companies.

【Market Summary and Investment Advice】

Overall, U.S. stocks performed strongly driven by the Christmas rally, with tech stocks, particularly AI-related sectors, providing market support. However, renowned analysts warn of looming tech bubble risks, urging investors to remain vigilant, especially with potential sell-offs by major hedge funds. Investors are advised to enjoy the gains from tech stocks while maintaining portfolio diversification, focusing on defensive sectors like consumer staples and healthcare to mitigate potential market adjustments.
Disclaimer: the above is a summary showing certain market information. AInvest is not responsible for any data errors, omissions or other information that may be displayed incorrectly as the data is derived from a third party source. Communications displaying market prices, data and other information available in this post are meant for informational purposes only and are not intended as an offer or solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security. Please do your own research when investing. All investments involve risk and the past performance of a security, or financial product does not guarantee future results or returns. Keep in mind that while diversification may help spread risk, it does not assure a profit, or protect against loss in a down market.