Stocks Pare Losses, Brush Off Rate Cut Concerns
The Santa Claus rally has quietly returned today, with all three major indexes paring a lower open and pushing higher at last check. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI), Nasdaq Composite (IXIC), and S&P 500 Index (SPX) are all trying for a fourth-straight win today, though the outstanding GDP report dampens interest rate cut sentiment. Despite the choppiness today, the Cboe Volatility Index (VIX) is heading for its lowest close in over a year.

Fifth Third Bancorp (Nasdaq: FITB) is seeing another surge in the options pits today. At last look, 52,000 contracts have changed hands, volume that's 40 times the average intraday amount. The February 50-strike call and the 43-strike put in the same series are where the activity is, with new positions being opened at both. FITB is trading flat at $48.22, consolidating under its Dec. 11 annual high of $48.71.
Freeport-McMoRan Inc (NYSE: FCX) stock is near the top of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), last seen up 2.6% to trade at $51.94 thanks to a price-target hike from Wells Fargo to $55 from $47. The analyst in coverage waxed optimistic on the outlook for copper prices for 2026. FCX is trading at its highest level since October 2024 today, is up 35% in 2025, and headed for its seventh-straight daily win.
Moderna Inc (Nasdaq: MRNA) stock is near the bottom of the Nasdaq today, down 5.8% to trade at $32.89. The drugmaker is suffering from a bout of profit taking, with MRNA slated to snap a four-day win streak, after yesterday trading at its highest level since March. Year to date, the shares are down 20%, with their 320-day moving average looming above.
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