Wall Street Trading Overview | Monetary policy in focus, labor market surprisingly strong, technology leads again (December 17, 2025)

I. What is Driving the Market Today

The Fed’s stance remains unchanged

Administration officials confirm that Federal Reserve decisions will be data-driven rather than politically pressured. This week, discussions will take place regarding the future direction of monetary policy, with the possibility of announcing a new nomination for the top Fed position. The market interprets this as a boost to the institution’s credibility and stabilization of investor expectations regarding the pace of interest rate changes in the coming year.

Commodities show mixed trends

Copper reaches all-time highs, supported by demand from the artificial intelligence industry and storage in the United States. Meanwhile, oil has fallen below $55 per barrel – the lowest since 2021 – amid expectations of stabilized geopolitical conflicts and abundant global stockpiles. Gold and silver remain relatively calm. These commodity outlooks in America suggest a shift in narrative from energy to technology.

The labor market may surprise positively

The number of new jobs increased by 64,000 – above forecasts of 50,000. At the same time, the unemployment rate rose to 4.6%, the highest in three years, indicating mixed dynamics. Retail sales remained stable, but transactions excluding cars and fuel increased by 0.8% – the most since June – demonstrating strong consumer activity during the holiday season.

II. How Are the Major Indices Performing

The Dow Jones fell by 0.62% to 48,114.26 points, pressured by energy stocks. The S&P 500 declined by 0.24% to 6,800.26 points amid increased volatility. Meanwhile, the Nasdaq gained 0.23%, climbing to 23,111.46 points thanks to a rebound in the tech sector, reversing earlier session weakness.

III. The Play of Major Tech Companies

Tesla showed strength, rising by 3.07% and reaching record highs in three days. Optimism is driven by plans for mass deployment of the Robotaxi fleet in 2026 and the construction of battery factories in Germany. Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs are raising their ratings for the company, highlighting AI integration potential.

Oracle gained 2.02%, benefiting from renewed demand for cloud services. Meta increased by 1.49% amid rising user numbers. Nvidia remains solid with a 0.5% increase amid sustained demand for AI chips. Apple is up 0.18% on rumors of product line expansion – with plans to introduce 7 iPhone models by fall 2027 and the first foldable device in 2026. Amazon shows relative stability, supported by pre-holiday sales. Microsoft slightly declines by 0.2% due to increasing cloud competition.

Overall sentiment in America for the tech sector remains constructive, mainly due to the AI narrative and consumer electronics, which offset macroeconomic turbulence.

IV. Noteworthy Industry Movements

Cryptocurrency-related stocks are rising over 3%, led by MicroStrategy up 3.5% and Robinhood surging 3.2%. This is driven by Bitcoin price stabilization and Visa launching USDC settlement services.

Oil patch stocks are down over 2%. ExxonMobil drops 2.1%, Chevron 2.3%, and Occidental Petroleum 3.5%, all pressured by sharp declines in oil prices and prospects of global oversupply.

Chinese companies listed in the US show mixed results: Baidu up 1.2%, Nio up 0.8%, but Luckin Coffee falls 7.1% amid rumors of potential acquisitions and increasing competition in the premium segment.

V. Three Companies in the Spotlight

Tesla accelerates. Morgan Stanley’s forecast is 1,000 Robotaxis in 2026, and the battery factory in Berlin is expected to reach 8 GWh/year capacity. These moves reduce supply chain dependence and strengthen competitiveness. Wall Street investment ratings have raised the target price to $400.

Apple plans a transformation. Seven iPhone models by 2027, a foldable screen in 2026, and a commemorative model with a curved display aim to boost demand and optimize margins. Analysts expect a 15% sales increase, though technical challenges may slow rollout.

Luckin Coffee considers expansion. Rumors of acquiring Chinese operations of Blue Bottle and % Arabica to enter the premium market are circulating. Credit ratings suggest increased brand value but also debt risk.

VI. Key Points to Watch

• Speech by New York Fed President Williams (22:05) – discussing currency outlooks and policy hints
• Micron Technology Q2 earnings – testing semiconductor demand
• Medline IPO debut – testing sentiment towards new offerings, potentially over $5 billion
• Bank of Canada stance – could influence economic expectations across the northern continent

Note: Content derived from AI analysis verified by a human and does not constitute investment advice.