Nasdaq dips 0.25% in a calm year-end session
The Nasdaq closed slightly lower on Tuesday, December 30, slipping 0.25% to 25,462.56 points. In a year-end climate characterized by reduced trading volumes, the US technology index moved without any major catalyst. The session was mixed, with energy and semiconductor stocks leading the gains, while several tech and biotech heavyweights weighed on the trend.
Energy and Semiconductors Stand Out
Diamondback Energy emerged as the biggest gainer of the session, jumping 1.80% to $151.25. The oil and gas sector benefited from renewed interest, with Baker Hughes also rising 1.56% to $46.09. In the semiconductor sector, Intel gained 1.69% to $37.3, confirming investor appetite for stocks in the field. Marvell Technology followed with an increase of 1.17% to $86.76, while GlobalFoundries advanced 0.75% to $36.12, and ASML Holding rose 0.58% to $1,072.14. Meta Platforms was also among the day's winners, gaining 1.10% to $665.95. In a more defensive move, Kraft Heinz and Exelon increased by 0.74% to $24.43 and 0.66% to $43.92, respectively. Take-Two Interactive closed up 0.86% at $257.91.
Shopify and Palantir Lead Declines
Conversely, Shopify experienced the largest drop of the session, falling 2.47% to $163.74. The Canadian e-commerce platform was followed by Palantir Technologies, which declined 1.81% to $180.84. Axon Enterprise gave up 1.45% at $572.11. The biotechnology sector also suffered, with Gilead Sciences down 1.38% at $123.18 and Vertex Pharmaceuticals retreating 1.31% to $453.74. Semiconductor equipment manufacturers had a tough session: KLA Corporation lost 1.33% at $1,243.65, Lam Research fell 1.19% to $173.78, and Applied Materials shed 1.17% at $259.97. DoorDash dropped 1.25% to $228.13, while Tesla ended down 1.13% at $454.43.
A Lackluster Session Ahead of the Transition to 2026
December 30 showcases the slowed pace of trading typical at the end of the year. Institutional investors have largely closed their positions ahead of the holidays, leading to limited market movements primarily driven by technical adjustments. The Nasdaq, at 25,462.56 points, is moving within a narrow range, without a clear directional trend. The absence of major economic releases and corporate earnings reports has amplified this atmosphere of anticipation. All eyes are now on the new year, which will commence in a few hours, bringing with it uncertainties and expectations regarding monetary policy, upcoming quarterly results, and the evolution of the US macroeconomic environment.
This content has been automatically translated using artificial intelligence. While we strive for accuracy, some nuances may differ from the original French version.
