Major U.S. Averages Close Broadly Higher as Inflation Data Eases Market Pressure

The major averages closed broadly higher as the last full trading week of the year ends with sentiment shaped by a mix of fresh corporate news, cooling inflation data and upcoming economic releases. Investors are also navigating the final "triple witching" day of the year, when stock index futures, stock options and single-stock futures all set to expire, which tends to boost volume and create unusual trading activity.The backdrop for markets reflects broader relief that U.S. inflation in November rose more slowly than expected, reinforcing hopes that the Federal Reserve may be able to cut rates next year and easing some pressure on risk assets.Looking to commodities, gold edged higher towards $4,400, while oil prices were also marginally higher.Get caught up quickly on the top news and calls moving stocks with these five Top Five lists.1. STOCK NEWS:Nikereported, though the company guided for Q3 revenue to decline in the low-single digitsFedExreportedand narrowed its FY26 earnings and revenue outlookTikTok has agreed to sell its U.S. unit to a group of investors including Oracle, Silver Lake, and Abu Dhabi-based MGX,BioMarinAmicusfor $14.50 per share in cash, or $4.8BPresident Trump announced agreements withto lower drug prices in the U.S.2. WALL STREET CALLS:WedbushLyftto Underperform on autonomous vehicle impactCumminsto Overweight at BarclaysLockheed Martinto Neutral at JPMorganPaccarto Overweight at JPMorganWellsGeneracon data center backup power growth3. AROUND THE WEB:Morgan Stanleyis seen as the leading contender for the anticipated IPO of Elon Musk's SpaceX,Soo Kim, founder of New York hedge fund Standard General, has been approached by at least on shareholder of Warner Bros. Discoveryto acquire all or part of its cable television assets,U.S. President Donald Trump's administration has launched a review that may end with allowing Nvidia'sH200 chips to be shipped to China,Hondaplans to halt production in Japan and China from December 29 to January 6, showing the ongoing fallout of the global chip shortage,Meta Platformsis working on a new image and video-focused AI model code-named Mango alongside the Facebook parent's next text-based large language model,4. MOVERS:Volarisincreases in New York after entering into an agreement with Grupo Vivo Aerobus to combine inCoreWeavegains after Citiof the stock with a Buy ratingCarnivalhigher afterand reinstating its quarterly dividendAltimmunefalls afterfrom its IMPACT Phase 2b trial of pemvidutideKB Homelower after, with EPS and revenue beating consensus5. EARNINGS/GUIDANCE:Conagra Brandsreportedand reiterated its FY26 guidancePaychex, with CEO John Gibson commenting, "We delivered solid second quarter results"Lamb Westonand backed its guidance for FY26Winnebagoand raised its guidance for FY26, with CEO Michael Happe commenting, "Winnebago Industries performed ahead of our expectations in the first quarter and demonstrated clear progress on our priorities"BlackBerryand provided guidance for Q4 and FY26INDEXES:The Dow rose 183.04, or 0.38%, to 48,134.89, the Nasdaq gained 301.26, or 1.31%, to 23,307.62, and the S&P 500 advanced 59.74, or 0.88%, to 6,834.50.