Callum Keown

U.S. stock futures were mostly higher early Tuesday as investors anticipated the final inflation reading of the year. Futures on the S&P 500 were 0.1% higher ahead of the open, Nasdaq 100 futures were up 0.2% while Dow Jones Industrial Average futures down 0.1%. All three major indexes closed lower Monday as the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite fell back from record highs and Dow dipped for a third consecutive day.

Investors cheered the prospect of looser monetary policy and more proactive fiscal measures by Beijing Monday but they’re not sure if it’ll be enough.

Chinese stocks have been on a roller-coaster ride so far this week and there was no sign of it stopping Wednesday. Promises of looser monetary policy and more proactive fiscal measures sent China’s stock surging Monday before reality began to set in amid disappointing trade data Tuesday. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index fell 0.8% and China’s CSI 300 Index slipped 0.2%.

U.S. stock futures struggled for direction early Wednesday as investors played a waiting game ahead of crucial inflation data. The anticipation of November’s consumer price index data hasn’t helped the stock market, which has fallen for two consecutive days to start the week. The cautious mood remained early Wednesday as futures on the S&P 500 rose 0.1%, Nasdaq 100 futures were up 0.2%, while Dow Jones Industrial Average futures fell 0.2%.

U.S. stock futures fell early Friday as investors put the brakes on the gains made following November’s inflation data. Futures on the S&P 500 were 0.2% down, while Dow Jones Industrial Average were also 0.2% lower and Nasdaq 100 futures fell 0.3% lower ahead of the open. The S&P 500 snapped a two-day losing streak Wednesday, rallying after consumer price index data came in as expected.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk, will be closely watching who President-elect Donald Trump picks for the latest role that has come up for grabs. The Federal Aviation Administration needs a new leader after Mike Whitaker said he would step down next month ahead of Trump’s inauguration. Musk, who himself will co-head a new government department for efficiency, was unsuccessful in pushing for Howard Lutnick to be appointed Treasury Secretary.

What company is buying Bitcoin at above $100,000? It’s MicroStrategy, the the largest corporate holder of the cryptocurrency.

There was nothing subtle about Broadcom entry into the trillion-dollar club. The chip maker smashed its way in following its earnings last week. The criteria to officially join the unofficial Mag 7 is less clear but Deutsche Bank strategist Jim Reid noted Broadcom was “fast approaching” the rest of the group in size.

Cybersecurity stocks could be a safe bet for investors in 2025 but one AI player in particular may be fraught with danger, according to KeyBanc.

A number of carriers have already raised their fourth-quarter guidance this month after strong Thanksgiving travel and December trends, including Southwest Airlines American Airlines JetBlue Airways and Alaska Air That has boosted the sector’s shares. The Transportation Security Administration expects to screen close to 40 million passengers between Dec. 19 and Jan. 2, a 6.2% jump from 2023 levels. The risk of a government shutdown, however, could make things difficult for the TSA.