The S&P 500 marked another record close before Christmas, notching its fifth-straight daily gain alongside the Dow and Nasdaq. Nike (NKE) enjoyed outsized gains today after reports that Apple (AAPL) CEO Tim Cook bought nearly $3 million in shares, while tech stocks also rallied. Meanwhile, the Cboe Volatility Index (VIX) marked its fifth-straight daily loss and settled below 14 for the first time in a year. As a reminder, markets will be closed tomorrow to observe Christmas Day.

GOLD EXTENDS RECORD HIGHS; OIL SNAPS WIN STREAK

Oil prices snapped their five-day win streak on Wednesday, taking a breather from recent gains fueled by U.S. economic growth and risks of supply disruptions tied to Russia and Venezuela. January-dated West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude shed 5 cents, or 0.1%, to close at $58.33 per barrel. 

Gold and silver prices notched even more record highs, with the latter also breaking above $4,500 for the first time, as interest rate cut hopes in the new year continued to fuel optimism. February-dated gold added 0.4% to close at $4,523.10 per ounce.

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