empty
31.12.2021 09:42 AM
US stock market on December 31, 2021

This image is no longer relevant

S&P500

The market is at highs. Omicron is breaking records.

US indices declined moderately on Thursday, remaining near the highs of the year. The Dow Jones shed 0.3%, the NASDAQ Composite declined by 0.2%, and the S&P500 decreased by 0.3%.

Asian markets closed the last trading day of the year. Japan's stock indices also fell sharply by 0.4%, while China's indices rose by 0.3%.

Oil remains at the highs of December. Brent is trading at 79.30.

Gas on ICE futures trades around $1,000 to $1,100 per thousand cubic metres. The gas price has fallen from the highs after LNG tankers from the US were routed to Europe. The gas supply situation from Gazprom will become clearer in early January.

Putin and Biden had a direct conversation on the evening of December 30. They exchanged warnings and agreed on Russia-US and Russia-NATO security talks from January 9 to 15, 2022. The outcome of the talks could affect markets in Russia and Europe in the first half of January.

The number of coronavirus cases worldwide keeps rising. On Thursday, there were 1,890,000 new cases around the world. In the US, there were 570,000 cases. The UK saw an increase of 190,000. In France, the number of cases rose by 209,000. Spain and Italy reported +160,000 and +120,000 new infections respectively.

According to our source, who lives in New York, the US medical system can withstand a huge surge in omicron as hospitalization rates are relatively low. However, we think that conclusions can be drawn when the number of new cases at least stops rising, especially as fast as it is now.

The S&P 500 is trading at 4,778. It remains in the range of 4,750-4,810.

As can be seen, the US market does not pay attention to the huge outbreak of Omicron, even though the centre of the pandemic is now undoubtedly in the US, and in Western Europe. There is no doubt that in a few days Omicron will hit Eastern Europe as well. Experts expect an outbreak in Russia in January and February. Everyone is just hoping for a low lethality of omicron and a milder course of the disease, especially in vaccinated people.

The US jobs report yesterday showed that the number of new jobless claims rose by 198,000. Long-term unemployment fell to 1.716m.

Approximately 1,300 flights have been cancelled in the US on New Year's Day because of Covid disease among airline staff. These are largely domestic flights.

Elon Musk's electric-vehicle maker is poised to manufacture roughly 80% more vehicles this year than it did in 2020. Such a rapid growth has caused problems with the supply of chips for cars.

USDX is trading at 96.00 and is expected to be in the 95.70–96.30 range. The market will decide on the further course of the dollar in the New Year.

USDCAD is trading at 1.2730 and is expected to be in the 1.2660–1.2780 range. The pair failed to hold support and fell under pressure from high oil prices.

The US market is heading into the New Year on the highs and does not pay attention to the huge Omicron outbreak. A correction in January is very likely.

Jozef Kovach,
Analytical expert of InstaForex
© 2007-2025
Select timeframe
5
min
15
min
30
min
1
hour
4
hours
1
day
1
week
Earn on cryptocurrency rate changes with InstaForex
Download MetaTrader 4 and open your first trade
  • Grand Choice
    Contest by
    InstaForex
    InstaForex always strives to help you
    fulfill your biggest dreams.
    JOIN CONTEST

Recommended Stories

Stocks slide sharply as broad tariffs raise recession risk

S&P 500 US equities plunged on Thursday as President Donald Trump's sweeping new tariffs triggered a sharp sell-off and reignited fears of a global recession. The Dow fell by 4%

Jozef Kovach 11:14 2025-04-04 UTC+2

US stock market on April 4: SP500 and NASDAQ suffering heavy losses

As a result of yesterday's regular session, US stock indices closed in the red. The S&P 500 plummeted by 4.84%, while the Nasdaq 100 lost 5.97%. The industrial Dow Jones

Jakub Novak 11:13 2025-04-04 UTC+2

Update on US stock market: Trump strikes at global trade with tariffs and crashes markets

S&P500 Update on April 03 Snapshot of benchmark US stock indices on Wednesday: Dow, NASDAQ, S&P 500: all -2% S&P 500 at 5,535 in the range of 5,500 to 6,000

Jozef Kovach 11:57 2025-04-03 UTC+2

Stock Market on April 2: S&P 500 and NASDAQ Hit New Yearly Lows

At the close of yesterday's regular session, U.S. stock indexes ended in positive territory. The S&P 500 rose by 0.67%, the Nasdaq 100 gained 0.87%, and the Dow Jones Industrial

Jakub Novak 09:13 2025-04-03 UTC+2

US markets show resilience despite tariff concerns and economic weakness

S&P 500 The US stock markets paused ahead of President Trump's anticipated tariff announcements. The major indices ended the session mixed: the Dow Jones closed flat, the Nasdaq gained 0.9%

Jozef Kovach 12:15 2025-04-02 UTC+2

Update on US stock market on April 2: SP500 and NASDAQ regain their footing before crucial event

Following yesterday's regular session, US stock indices closed mixed. The S&P 500 rose by 0.38%, while the Nasdaq 100 gained 0.87%. The industrial Dow Jones dipped by 0.04%. Asian indices

Jakub Novak 11:19 2025-04-02 UTC+2

Why tariffs may trigger rally instead of crash?

The current panic in the markets may be overblown. If tomorrow's tariffs prove to be less damaging than expected, we could witness a short but sharp rebound, particularly

Anna Zotova 11:03 2025-04-01 UTC+2

US stock market: spike from strong support. Growth realistic

S&P500 Update on US stock market Snapshot of benchmark stock indices on Monday: Dow +1%, NASDAQ -0.1%, S&P 500 +0.6%, S&P 500 at 5,612 trading in a range of 5,500

Jozef Kovach 10:48 2025-04-01 UTC+2

Update on US stock market on April 1. SP500 and NASDAQ fall to new one-year low

As a result of Friday's regular session, US stock indices closed mixed. The S&P 500 rose by 0.55%, while the Nasdaq 100 dropped by 0.14%. The industrial Dow Jones gained

Jakub Novak 08:56 2025-04-01 UTC+2

Stock market on March 31: S&P 500 and Nasdaq edge closer to yearly lows

At the close of Friday's regular trading session, US stock indices ended in negative territory. The S&P 500 fell by 1.97%, while the Nasdaq 100 declined by 2.70%

Jakub Novak 12:27 2025-03-31 UTC+2
Can't speak right now?
Ask your question in the chat.
Widget callback
 

Dear visitor,

Your IP address shows that you are currently located in the USA. If you are a resident of the United States, you are prohibited from using the services of InstaFintech Group including online trading, online transfers, deposit/withdrawal of funds, etc.

If you think you are seeing this message by mistake and your location is not the US, kindly proceed to the website. Otherwise, you must leave the website in order to comply with government restrictions.

Why does your IP address show your location as the USA?

  • - you are using a VPN provided by a hosting company based in the United States;
  • - your IP does not have proper WHOIS records;
  • - an error occurred in the WHOIS geolocation database.

Please confirm whether you are a US resident or not by clicking the relevant button below. If you choose the wrong option, being a US resident, you will not be able to open an account with InstaForex anyway.

We are sorry for any inconvenience caused by this message.