Nasdaq Rises 0.77%: MercadoLibre Soars, Semiconductors Drive the Session
MercadoLibre and Semiconductors Leading the Rebound
MercadoLibre surged 8.86% to $2,148.62, leading the gains on the Nasdaq at the start of 2026. The Latin American e-commerce platform is benefiting from renewed optimism in tech stocks. Semiconductor equipment manufacturers recorded massive gains: ASML climbed 5.53% to $1,228.19, KLA Corporation advanced 6.12% to $1,352.45, Applied Materials gained 5.75% to $284.32, and Lam Research increased by 5.24% to $194.76. The Trade Desk also posted a strong performance, rising 6.45% to $40.11. Shopify advanced 5.73% to $166.21, while other tech stocks like Axon Enterprise and MicroStrategy rose by 4.92% and 4.81%, respectively. Baker Hughes rounded out the list of major gains with a 4.09% increase to $49.07.
Selective Retreat in Telecom and Pharmaceuticals
Conversely, Comcast experienced the largest drop of the session, declining by 4.77% to $28.13. Energy and pharmaceutical stocks also weighed on the market. Diamondback Energy lost 3.51% to $146.99, and Constellation Energy fell by 3.09% to $354.94. Several health sector heavyweights ended in the red: Gilead Sciences lost 2.71% to $118.30, Amgen decreased by 2.11% to $320.72, Biogen fell by 1.79% to $174.63, and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals dropped 1.68% to $763.23. Consumer stocks also suffered, with Kraft Heinz down 2.54% to $23.77 and PepsiCo declining by 1.62% to $139.92. Cadence Design Systems closed down 2.96% at $301.22.
A Technical Rebound After a Challenging Start to the Year
The session on January 5 took place in a volatile market context. The trajectory of the Federal Reserve's monetary policy remains a key factor for the markets in 2026, following the start of the year marked by several consecutive down sessions. The three major American indices, however, ended 2025 with double-digit gains, marking the third consecutive year in the green. The Nasdaq, at 25,401.32 points, reflects a delicate balance between technological optimism and macroeconomic caution. Investors are now closely monitoring upcoming economic releases, particularly the employment data expected this week.
This content has been automatically translated using artificial intelligence. While we strive for accuracy, some nuances may differ from the original French version.
