The Dow has fallen sharply since surpassing 45,000 nine trading days ago
Just nine sessions after closing above 45,000 for the first time ever on Dec. 4, the Dow made history in the opposite direction. The blue-chip index shed 267 points today for its ninth-straight loss and longest losing streak since 1978. The S&P 500 moved lower as well, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq finished in the red but held the 20,000 level after a brief test.
As investors await the Federal Reserve's interest rate decision tomorrow, Wall Street's "fear gauge" -- the Cboe Volatility Index (VIX) -- closed above 15 for the first time since Nov. 22.
Continue reading for more on today's market, including:
5 Things to Know Today
- Gas prices are at their lowest levels since 2020 this holiday season. (MarketWatch)
- Bitcoin (BTC) nabbed a record high for the second-straight day. (Bloomberg)
- 3 drone stocks that could fly high in 2025.
- Cruise stock hoping for post-earnings pop.
- SolarEdge stock is up off the mat.
There are no corporate earnings of note today.
Commodities Cool as Fed Takes Spotlight
Oil prices fell again today, as demand concerns weighed. January-dated West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude shed 63 cents, or 0.9%, to settle at $70.08 per barrel.
Gold prices finished lower as well, with the safe-haven asset taking cues from a swelling U.S. dollar and potentially hawkish Fed rhetoric tomorrow. For the session, gold for December delivery lost 0.3% to settle at $2,663.30 an ounce.