US Stock Market Volatile, Nasdaq Hits 3.5-Week High
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jan 08 2026
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Source: NASDAQ.COM
- Mixed Market Performance: On Wednesday, the S&P 500 Index fell by 0.34% and the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped by 0.94%, while the Nasdaq 100 rose by 0.06%, indicating a divergence in market performance, particularly influenced by weakness in chipmakers and data storage stocks.
- Weak Employment Data: The December ADP employment report revealed only 41,000 jobs added in the private sector, falling short of the expected 50,000, reflecting a weaker US labor market that may lead to a dovish shift in Fed policy.
- Eased Inflation Concerns: Eurozone's December core CPI rose by 2.3% year-on-year, below the expected 2.4%, which alleviated inflation worries and contributed to lower European bond yields, further impacting global market sentiment.
- Focus on Upcoming Economic Data: The market is set to closely monitor upcoming economic reports, including an expected 5% increase in Q3 nonfarm productivity and a projected rise of 70,000 in nonfarm payrolls, indicating potential economic growth momentum and influencing market expectations for Fed policy.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
