[BRIEFING.COM] The stock market made some notable intraday moves in the first session of 2026, with the S&P 500 (+0.2%), Nasdaq Composite (flat), and DJIA (+0.7%) finishing the session mostly higher. 

Mega-cap and tech names opened to pronounced gains, sending the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite over 1.0% higher this morning. Those gains were reversed in short order, with the mega-cap's move lower sending the major averages into negative territory. 

The broader market trended higher throughout the session, with the DJIA steadily improving as a result. Still, losses across many of the market's largest names prevented further growth at the index level, as evidenced by the outperformance of the S&P 500 Equal Weighted Index (+0.7%) over the market-weighted S&P 500 (+0.2%). 

The top-weighted information technology sector finished flat after an early gain that exceeded 1.5%. Microsoft (MSFT 472.94, -10.68, -2.21%) and Palantir Technologies (PLTR 167.86, -9.89, -5.56%) were notable laggards, though strength across chipmaker names prevented further losses. NVIDIA (NVDA 188.85, +2.35, +1.26%) was the "magnificent seven" standout, while Micron (MU 315.42, +30.01, +10.51%) and Intel (INTC 39.38, +2.48, +6.72%) finished even higher, pushing the PHLX Semiconductor Index (+4.0%) to a sturdy gain. 

Mega-cap pressure would see the consumer discretionary sector (-1.1%) close with the widest loss as Tesla (TSLA 438.07, -11.65, -2.59%) and Amazon (AMZN 226.50, -4.32, -1.87%) slid further into negative territory. Tesla faced pressure after its Q4 production and deliveries report, which showed a 15.7% year-over-year drop in deliveries to 418,000 vehicles.

The Vanguard Mega Cap Growth ETF would finish the day 0.5% lower. 

The communication services (-0.4%) and consumer staples (-0.2%) sectors were the only other sectors to finish lower. 

Meanwhile, eight S&P 500 sectors finished higher, with several notable performances. 

The energy sector (+2.1%) finished with the widest gain despite crude oil settling today's session $0.06 lower (-0.1%) at $57.34 per barrel. OPEC+ is not expected to make any changes to its output plans during this Sunday's policy meeting.

The industrials sector (+1.9%) finished with a similar gain, supported by strength in its construction names such as Comfort Systems (FIX 1003.51, +70.22, +7.52%) and Caterpillar (CAT 598.48, +25.61, +4.47%) and aerospace and defense names such as Boeing (BA 227.71, +10.59, +4.88%). 

The materials (+1.5%) and utilities (+1.2%) sectors also captured gains wider than 1.0%. 

Outside of the S&P 500, the small-cap Russell 2000 (+1.0%) and S&P Mid Cap 400 (+1.3%) decidedly outperformed today, steadily trading higher throughout the session. 

While there were plenty of notable stock- and sector-specific moves in play today, the market remains searching for its next directional driver. Mega-cap weakness limited gains at the index level, though a strong performance from chipmakers reflects continued optimism in the AI trade, which was a driving force of strength in 2025. 

U.S. Treasuries started 2026 with modest losses in the 5-year note and longer tenors, while the short end resisted the pressure, leaving the 2-year note near its closing level from Wednesday. The 2-year note yield settled finished unchanged at 3.48% (unchanged for the week), and the 10-year note yield settled up two basis points at 4.19% (+5 basis points this week). 

• S&P Mid Cap 400: +1.3% YTD
• Russell 2000: +1.1% YTD
• DJIA: +0.7% YTD
• S&P 500: +0.2% YTD
• Nasdaq Composite: flat YTD

Reviewing today's data:

• The S&P Global U.S. Manufacturing PMI hit 51.8 in the final reading for December, unchanged from the preliminary reading and down from 52.2 in November.

[BRIEFING.COM] The S&P 500 (+0.2%), Nasdaq Composite (+0.1%), and DJIA (+0.6%) look to close the first session of 2026 on an upbeat note, ticking modestly higher late in the session. 

Meanwhile, the small-cap Russell 2000 (+1.1%) and S&P Mid Cap 400 (+1.5%) are decidedly outperforming today.  Sable Offshore Corp. (SOC 12.20, +3.18, +35.25%) is a small-cap standout after Bloomberg reported that an appeals court will allow the company to produce oil from three platforms off the coast of California.

[BRIEFING.COM] The S&P 500 (+0.2%), Nasdaq Composite (flat), and DJIA (+0.7%) sit mostly higher as the market enters the final hour of the session. 

The energy sector (+2.2%) is the top performer today by a fairly wide margin despite crude oil settling today's session $0.06 lower (-0.1%) at $57.34 per barrel.

Monday marks the start of an energy conference hosted by Goldman Sachs, with Devon Energy (DVN 38.10, +1.47, +4.01%), EOG Resources (EOG 107.74, +2.74, +2.60%), and Phillips 66 (PSX 130.60, +1.56, +1.21%) among the names set to appear. 

[BRIEFING.COM] The S&P 500 (+0.12%) is in second place on Friday afternoon, up about 9 points.

Briefly, S&P 500 constituents AppLovin (APP 620.81, -53.01, -7.87%), Carvana (CVNA 400.42, -21.60, -5.12%), and Gartner (IT 240.49, -11.79, -4.67%) dot the bottom of the standings despite a dearth of corporate news.

Meanwhile, SanDisk (SNDK 268.32, +30.94, +13.03%) tops the average as memory stocks jump to begin the year.

[BRIEFING.COM] The Nasdaq Composite (-0.44%) is today's worst-performing major average, down 103 points.

Gold futures settled $11.50 lower (-0.3%) at $4,329.60/oz, as profit-taking, thin year-end liquidity, and lingering technical pressure tied to higher CME margin requirements weighed on prices after last year's sharp rally. That pullback came despite gold remaining underpinned by the broader backdrop of safe-haven demand, expectations for Fed rate cuts, strong central-bank and ETF buying, and a softer U.S. dollar.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Dollar Index is up about +0.2% to $98.48.

[BRIEFING.COM] The Dow Jones Industrial Average (+0.17%) is 83 points higher on Friday afternoon.

A look inside the DJIA shows that Caterpillar (CAT 595.83, +22.96, +4.01%), Boeing (BA 224.47, +7.35, +3.39%), and Goldman Sachs (GS 900.41, +21.41, +2.44%) hold solid gains.

Meanwhile, Salesforce (CRM 254.78, -10.13, -3.82%) is underperforming.

The DJIA is poised to end the week -1.16% lower.

[BRIEFING.COM] The stock market opened to a bumpy start to 2026, with the S&P 500 (-0.1%) and Nasdaq Composite (-0.2%) giving up solid opening gains as mega-cap and tech names have sharply reversed from an early rally. Strength in the broader market tilts positive, seating the DJIA (+0.2%) with a modest gain. 

The top-weighted information technology sector now sits flat after surging almost 2.0% higher this morning.  Microsoft (MSFT 473.68, -9.94, -2.06%) and Apple (AAPL 270.17, -1.69, -0.62%) are among the mega-cap laggards, though strength in chipmaker names prevents a loss. The PHLX Semiconductor Index is up 3.4%, with solid leadership from NVIDIA (NVDA 189.70, +3.20, +1.71%), while Micron (MU 307.88, +22.47, +7.87%) and Intel (INTC 39.31, +2.41, +6.52%) outperform. 

The communication services sector (-0.5%) also held a gain wider than 1.0%, but has since moved lower as Meta Platforms (META 651.37, -8.72, -1.32%) slips. 

Tesla (TSLA 441.17, -8.55, -1.90%) is the laggard across the "magnificent seven" names, moving lower after its Q4 production and deliveries report, which showed a 15.7% year-over-year drop in deliveries to 418,000 vehicles. The consumer discretionary sector (-1.0%) holds the widest loss, and the Vanguard Mega Cap Growth ETF is now down 0.5%. 

Meanwhile, five S&P 500 sectors trade higher, helping to mitigate losses at the index level. 

The energy sector (+1.5%) holds the widest gain despite a falling price of oil. 

The industrials sector (+1.4%) is up similarly, supported by strength in engineering and construction stocks, including Comfort Systems (FIX 996.14, +62.84, +6.73%) and Caterpillar (CAT 594.93, +22.06, +3.85%). 

Aerospace and defense stocks add support, with the SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF (XAR 247.14, +5.90, +2.45%) holding a solid gain. 

Outside of the S&P 500, the Russell 2000 (+0.7%) and S&P Mid Cap 400 (+1.0%) have also faced some choppiness but have defended their gains better than their larger-cap counterparts. 

Reviewing today's data:

• December S&P Global U.S. Manufacturing PMI - Final 51.8; Prior 51.8

[BRIEFING.COM] The S&P 500 (flat), Nasdaq Composite (-0.1%), and DJIA (+0.3%) trade in a relatively stable range just after midday.

Home furnishing names are posting solid gains following headlines that the White House has delayed tariff increases on upholstered furniture, kitchen cabinets, and vanities. 

RH (RH 195.31, +16.16, +9.02%) leads the strength, while Wayfair (W 106.74, +6.33, +6.30%), Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (WSM 186.51, +7.92, +4.43%), and Ethan Allen (ETD 23.12, +0.28, +1.25%) also trade higher. 

[BRIEFING.COM] The major averages continue to sit mixed at midday. 

Baidu (BIDU 147.65, +16.99, +13.01%) is surging after the company announced a proposed spin-off and separate listing of its AI chip subsidiary, Kunlunxin, on the Main Board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. The stock is rallying as investors cheer the move to unlock the hidden value of BIDU's high-growth hardware arm, looking past broader concerns about the legacy search business.

Kunlunxin specializes in designing high-performance AI chips for data centers and cloud computing, serving as a critical hardware foundation for BIDU's ERNIE large language models. While it originally operated as an internal unit, Kunlunxin has successfully expanded to external customers, recently securing a major order from China Mobile.

Baidu's gain highlights a solid start to the year for chipmakers both domestically and abroad. The PHLX Semiconductor Index (+3.2%) is at a three-week high, with solid performances from names such as Micron (MU 306.51, +21.10, +7.39%) and Intel (INTC 39.29, +2.39, +6.49%).

[BRIEFING.COM] The S&P 500 (flat), Nasdaq Composite (-0.2%), and DJIA (+0.4%) sit mixed just before midday following a relatively volatile morning for stocks. 

THe current standing of the major averages is a stark contrast from earlier levels, which saw the S&P 500 advance more than 0.5%, the Nasdaq Composite advance more than 1.0%, and the DJIA hold a modest loss. 

Mega-cap and tech names surged out of the gate but have since reversed course, with losses across Tesla (TSLA 444.12, -5.60, -1.25%), Amazon (AMZN 226.16, -4.66, -2.02%), and Alphabet (GOOG 311.10, -2.70, -0.86%) pushing the communication services (-1.2%) and consumer discretionary (-1.0%) sectors to the bottom of the leaderboard. 

The information technology sector (+0.2%) has also fallen considerably from a 1.7% gain, but strength across chipmaker components keeps it in positive territory. The PHLX Semiconductor Index is up a solid 3.6%. 

Sector strength is a nearly even split, with six S&P 500 sectors trading higher. The industrials sector (+1.5%) holds the widest gain, supported by strong gains in its construction and engineering names, including a solid gain from the Dow component Caterpillar (CAT 592.69, +19.82, +3.46%). 

Outside of the S&P 500, the small-cap Russell 2000 (+0.5%) and S&P Mid Cap 400 (+0.8%) are outperforming. 

[BRIEFING.COM] The major averages continue to trade in a mixed fashion. 

The top-weighted information technology sector is now flat after an early gain of over 1.5%.  Microsoft (MSFT 473.58, -10.04, -2.07%) and Palantir Technologies (PLTR 172.63, -5.12, -2.88%) are among the mega-cap laggards in the sector. 

Despite the sharp reversal, chipmaker names are still outperforming, with the PHLX Semiconductor Index up 3.2%.

[BRIEFING.COM] The S&P 500 (flat), Nasdaq Composite (+0.2%), and DJIA (-0.3%) have seen a sharp reversal from opening highs as mega-cap and tech names give back a sizable portion of their early gains.

Tesla (TSLA 446.08, -3.64, -0.81%) disappointed investors with its Q4 production and deliveries report, reporting a 15.7% yr/yr drop in deliveries to 418,000 vehicles. This figure fell short of the already muted expectations on the Street, with the stock now trading lower after an opening gain.

Deliveries of 418,000 vehicles marked a sharp deceleration from the record 497,000 vehicles delivered in Q3. The Q3 surge was largely driven by a pull-forward in demand as buyers rushed to secure tax credits before their expiration at the end of September, creating a difficult comparison for Q4.

[BRIEFING.COM] The S&P 500 (+0.7%), Nasdaq Composite (+1.3%), and DJIA (+0.1%) are higher shortly after the open as tech and mega-cap names open 2026 with vigor against a backdrop of mixed strength in the broader market. 

The top-weighted information technology sector (+1.7%) leads the advance, with strength across chipmaker names such as Micron (MU 308.08, +22.67, +7.94%), Intel (INTC 39.27, +2.37, +6.42%), and NVIDIA (NVDA 192.41, +5.91, +3.17%) pushing the PHLX Semiconductor Index 4.4% higher. 

A solid start from Alphabet (GOOG 321.36, +7.56, +2.41%) boosts the communication services (+1.1%) sector, while the other four S&P 500 sectors that hold gains advance more modestly. 

Losses are modest in the five sectors that trade lower. The financials sector (-0.6%) holds the widest loss, with Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK-B 496.74, -5.91, -1.18%) trading lower following the official retirement of Warren Buffett.

The final reading of the S&P Global U.S. Manufacturing PMI remained unchanged at 51.8.

The stock market remains poised for a higher opening this morning as tech names rise in the premarket. 

Chipmakers are mostly higher this morning, with some excitement around the industry after Baidu's (BIDU 144.50, +13.84, +10.6%) chipmaker segment filed for an IPO. 

The S&P 500 futures currently trade 39 points above fair value.

Equity indices in the Asia-Pacific region began January on a higher note with South Korea's Kospi (+2.3%) rallying to a fresh record while markets in China, Japan, and New Zealand were closed for New Year's Day. South Korea's Manufacturing PMI (50.1) returned to a slight expansion in December. Baidu applied to list its AI chip unit in Hong Kong. Auto stocks listed in Hong Kong had a strong showing after bullish electric vehicle sales figures for December. Business leaders in Japan are reportedly hoping for a strong yen to offset the higher cost of imports.

• In economic data:
  • South Korea's December Manufacturing PMI 50.1 (last 49.4)
  • Singapore's Q4 GDP 1.9% qtr/qtr (last 2.4%); 5.7% yr/yr (last 4.3%). Q4 URA Property Index 0.7% qtr/qtr (last 0.9%)
  • Hong Kong's November Retail Sales 6.5% yr/yr (last 6.9%)
  • Australia's December Manufacturing PMI 51.6 (expected 52.2; last 51.6)
  • India's December Manufacturing PMI 55.0 (expected 55.7; last 56.6)

---Equity Markets---

• Japan's Nikkei: CLOSED
• Hong Kong's Hang Seng: +2.8% 
• China's Shanghai Composite: CLOSED 
• India's Sensex: +0.7%
• South Korea's Kospi: +2.3% 
• Australia's ASX All Ordinaries: +0.2%

Major European indices trade in the green with technology stocks and defense names among the leaders. Chip equipment supplier ASML is among the outperformers, nearing its record high from mid-2024. Final December Manufacturing PMI readings from the region were generally disappointing with the eurozone's reading (48.8) showing a deepening contraction relative to November (49.6).

• In economic data:
  • Eurozone's December Manufacturing PMI 48.8 (expected 49.2; last 49.6). November M3 Money Supply 3.0% yr/yr (expected 2.7%; last 2.8%), November Private Sector Loans 2.9% yr/yr (expected 2.8%; last 2.8%), and November Loans to nonfinancials 3.1% yr/yr (last 2.9%)
  • Germany's December Manufacturing PMI 47.0 (expected 47.7; last 48.2)
  • U.K.'s December Manufacturing PMI 50.6 (expected 51.2; last 51.2). Nationwide HPI -0.4% m/m (expected 0.1%; last 0.3%); 0.6% yr/yr (expected 1.2%; last 1.8%)
  • France's December Manufacturing PMI 50.7 (expected 50.6; last 47.8)
  • Italy's December Manufacturing PMI 47.9 (expected 50.0; last 50.6)
  • Spain's December Manufacturing PMI 49.6 (expected 51.2; last 51.5)

---Equity Markets---

• STOXX Europe 600: +0.6% 
• Germany's DAX: +0.4%
• U.K.'s FTSE 100: +0.6%
• France's CAC 40: +0.7%
• Italy's FTSE MIB: +0.9% 
• Spain's IBEX 35: +1.0% 

The S&P 500 futures currently trade 39 points above fair value. 

All of the "magnificent seven" stocks are higher in the premarket, boosting equity futures this morning. 

Tesla (TSLA 455.85, +6.13, +1.4%) holds one of the widest gains ahead of the company's Q4 sales report today.

Reuters reported that Tesla registrations fell in France and Sweden but rose in Norway. 

Equity futures point to a higher opening as the stock market gears up for its first session of 2026. Mega-cap and tech names, which were among the laggards in Wednesday's action, are mostly higher in the premarket. 

Stocks have drifted lower since the S&P 500 notched an all-time intraday high last Friday morning, with losses this week negating last week's advance. The major averages still finished the year with double-digit growth, but the market has been left uninspired over the last week amid a lack of catalysts and a "Santa Claus rally" that never really materialized. 

While the market is still in search of its next clear directional driver, there is a smattering of corporate headlines this morning, which contributes to the more optimistic standing of equity futures. 

A few positive trade headlines are crossing the wires this morning, with Bloomberg reporting that the Trump administration is delaying tariffs on upholstered furniture and cabinets. 

On the data front, market participants will receive the final December reading of the S&P Global U.S. Manufacturing PMI at 9:45 a.m. ET, followed by the November Construction Spending Report at 10:00 a.m. ET. 

In corporate news:

• SpaceX, OpenAI and Anthropic are all preparing IPOs this year, according to Financial Times.
• Apple (AAPL 273.20, +1.34, +0.5%) is lowering its Vision Pro production amid low sales, according to Financial Times. 
• Warren Buffett retires from his role as Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.B 502.00, -0.65, -0.1%) CEO, according to NBC News. 
• Tesla (TSLA 457.00, +7.28, +1.6%) Q4 sales are expected to decline 11%. The company will report sales later today, according to Bloomberg.

Reviewing overnight developments:

Equity indices in the Asia-Pacific region began January on a higher note with South Korea's Kospi (+2.3%) rallying to a fresh record while markets in China, Japan, and New Zealand were closed for New Year's Day. Japan's Nikkei: CLOSED, Hong Kong's Hang Seng: +2.8%, China's Shanghai Composite: CLOSED, India's Sensex: +0.7%, South Korea's Kospi: +2.3%, Australia's ASX All Ordinaries: +0.2%.

In news:

• South Korea's Manufacturing PMI (50.1) returned to a slight expansion in December.
• Baidu applied to list its AI chip unit in Hong Kong.
• Auto stocks listed in Hong Kong had a strong showing after bullish electric vehicle sales figures for December.
• Business leaders in Japan are reportedly hoping for a strong yen to offset the higher cost of imports.

In economic data:

• South Korea's December Manufacturing PMI 50.1 (last 49.4)
• Singapore's Q4 GDP 1.9% qtr/qtr (last 2.4%); 5.7% yr/yr (last 4.3%). Q4 URA Property Index 0.7% qtr/qtr (last 0.9%)
• Hong Kong's November Retail Sales 6.5% yr/yr (last 6.9%)
• Australia's December Manufacturing PMI 51.6 (expected 52.2; last 51.6)
• India's December Manufacturing PMI 55.0 (expected 55.7; last 56.6)

Major European indices trade in the green, with technology stocks and defense names among the leaders. STOXX Europe 600: +0.4%, Germany's DAX: +0.4%, U.K.'s FTSE 100: +0.4%, France's CAC 40: +0.4%, Italy's FTSE MIB: +0.6%, Spain's IBEX 35: +0.6%.

In news:

• Chip equipment supplier ASML is among the outperformers, nearing its record high from mid-2024.
• Final December Manufacturing PMI readings from the region were generally disappointing with the eurozone's reading (48.8) showing a deepening contraction relative to November (49.6).

In economic data:

• Eurozone's December Manufacturing PMI 48.8 (expected 49.2; last 49.6). November M3 Money Supply 3.0% yr/yr (expected 2.7%; last 2.8%), November Private Sector Loans 2.9% yr/yr (expected 2.8%; last 2.8%), and November Loans to nonfinancials 3.1% yr/yr (last 2.9%)
• Germany's December Manufacturing PMI 47.0 (expected 47.7; last 48.2)
• U.K.'s December Manufacturing PMI 50.6 (expected 51.2; last 51.2). Nationwide HPI -0.4% m/m (expected 0.1%; last 0.3%); 0.6% yr/yr (expected 1.2%; last 1.8%)
• France's December Manufacturing PMI 50.7 (expected 50.6; last 47.8)
• Italy's December Manufacturing PMI 47.9 (expected 50.0; last 50.6)
• Spain's December Manufacturing PMI 49.6 (expected 51.2; last 51.5)

[BRIEFING.COM] The stock market's final session of 2025 was low in volume and largely devoid of catalysts, leaving the S&P 500 (-0.7%), the Nasdaq Composite (-0.8%), and the DJIA (-0.6%) to steadily drift lower in broad fashion. 

The major averages finished December mixed, with the outperformance of many cyclical stocks pushing the DJIA (+0.7% month-to-date) higher, while the S&P 500 (-0.1% month-to-date) finished flattish, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite (-0.5% month-to-date) finished lower. 

Today's retreat encompassed a wide variety of stocks, with all eleven S&P 500 sectors finishing lower. Sector losses ranged from 0.4% (communication services) to 1.0% (real estate), with most sectors finishing at session lows amid a late-afternoon pickup in selling activity. 

The top-weighted information technology sector (-0.9%) was one such sector that lagged late in the trade. NVIDIA (NVDA 186.50, -1.04, -0.55%) previously held a gain, which helped limit losses earlier in the session following a Reuters report that the company approached Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (TSM 303.89, +4.31, +1.44%) to increase production of its H200 chip amid growing demand in China. A separate Reuters report stated that TSM, which is not a component of the S&P 500, was granted an annual U.S. approval for chip-making exports to China.

All of the information technology sector's components closed with a loss. 

The consumer discretionary sector (-0.8%) at least had one component trade higher, being NIKE (NKE 63.71, +2.52, +4.12%), by far the best-performing S&P 500 name today. The stock was lifted by a disclosure that showed CEO Elliot Hill purchased 16,388 shares of common stock, which follows a 50,000-share purchase by Apple (AAPL 271.86, -1.22, -0.45%) CEO and Nike Director Tim Cook one week ago. 

The materials sector (-0.9%) was another underperformer, as precious metal prices slid following the CME Group raising the margin requirements on precious metals futures for the second time in a week. Silver led the retreat, settling today's session $7.30 lower (-9.4%) at $70.63 per ozt, while gold settled $44.00 lower (-1.0%) at $4,342.30 per ozt. Precious metals producer Newmont Corporation (NEM 99.85, -2.01, -1.97%) was unsurprisingly a laggard. 

Outside of the S&P 500, the Russell 2000 (-0.8%) and S&P Mid Cap 400 (-1.1%) furthered the recent trend of underperformance in comparison to their larger-cap counterparts. 

Stocks across the market closed out the year on a subdued note, as this week's broad pullback erased most of last week's gains and stalled the Santa Claus rally soon after it began. The near-term trend skews negative as the market searches for fresh catalysts. Still, stocks posted strong gains in 2025, with the major averages all capturing double-digit gains for the year. 

U.S. Treasuries finished 2025 on a modestly lower note, with the 10-year note yield (+4 basis points to 4.17%, -40 basis points in 2025) settling near the midpoint of this year's range, while the 2-year note yield (+3 basis points to 3.48%, -77 basis points in 2025) finished not far above its 2025 low as the Fed made three cuts to the fed funds rate range since the end of 2024. Today's session was largely uneventful, save for a couple waves of selling that lifted yields to their highest levels of the week.

Bond and equity markets will be closed for the New Year's Day holiday tomorrow, followed by a full session on Friday. 

• Nasdaq Composite: +20.4% YTD
• S&P 500: +16.4% YTD
• DJIA: +13.0% YTD
• Russell 2000: +11.3% YTD
• S&P Mid Cap 400: +5.9% YTD

Reviewing today's data:

• Initial jobless claims for the week ending December 27 decreased by 16,000 to 199,000 (Briefing.com consensus 226,000) from last week's revised rate of 215,000 (from 214,000), while continuing claims for the week ending December 20 decreased by 47,000 from last week's revised rate of 1.913 million (from 1.923 million) to 1.866 million.
  • The key takeaway from the report is that initial claims decreased unexpectedly, coming in below 200,000 for just the second time this year. This should be encouraging to a market that has grown more sensitive to signals from the labor market.