Major US Averages Mixed as Unemployment Rate Rises to 4.6%
The major averages had a mixed day as traders reacted to delayed jobs data that could influence the Federal Reserve's interest-rate path next year. Though November's jobs report came in better-than-expected, with an increase of 64,000 jobs for the month, the Bureau of Labor Statistics also reported that 105,000 jobs were shed in October, with the unemployment rate climbing to 4.6%.Record highs earlier in December have given way to a softer backdrop as investors weigh the release of the delayed nonfarm payrolls and other indicators like retail sales and CPI inflation, which were postponed by the longest U.S. government shutdown in history.Looking to commodities, gold was mostly unchanged, while oil fell sharply ahead of API crude numbers set for release this afternoon.Get caught up quickly on the top news and calls moving stocks with these five Top Five lists.1. STOCK NEWS:Fordsaid it expectsto "rationalize" U.S. EV-related assetsPfizerreiterated its guidance for FY25 and provided aPayPalhas submitted applications toApplewill expand its iPhone lineup to seven models by 2027,The U.S. Trade Representative said it will use "every tool" to2. WALL STREET CALLS:Rokuto Overweight from Underweight at Morgan StanleyLockheed Martinto Equal Weight at Morgan StanleyOktato Buy at JefferiesStubHubto Market Perform at CitizensWells FargoGapto Overweight3. AROUND THE WEB:Apollo Globalis exploring a potential sale of Atlas Air,Trump is slated to interview Fed governor Christopher Waller on Tuesday for the position of Fed chair,Oraclesigned roughly $150B of data center leases in the three months ending November 30, raising its total data center and cloud capacity commitments to $248B,Metaearned more than $18B in annual ad sales from China in 2024, making up over 10% of its global revenue, with more than $3B linked to fraudulent ads, like for scams,The U.K. government wants Apple, Google, and others to block explicit images at the OS level by default to protect kids and have adults verify their ages,4. MOVERS:Cementos Pacasmayoincreases in New York after announcingof the Hochschild Group, which controls 50.01% of the companyRezolve AIgains in New York afterannual recurring revenue view of $500M or moreAldeyrahigher after announcing thetarget action date for the reproxalap New Drug ApplicationLightwave Logicfalls after announcing anNavanlower after announcing the departure of5. EARNINGS/GUIDANCE:Vestisreaffirmed itsVital Farmsfor FY25Organigram, with Executive Chair Peter Amirault calling fiscal 2025 "marked by purposeful growth"Humanafor FY25CSP Inc., with EPS and revenue higher year-over-yearINDEXES:The Dow fell 302.30, or 0.62%, to 48,114.26, the Nasdaq gained 54.05, or 0.23%, to 23,111.46, and the S&P 500 declined 16.25, or 0.24%, to 6,800.26.
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General Motors Achieves Record High Performance in 2025
- Strong Performance: General Motors reported a net income of $2.7 billion for 2025, translating to earnings per share of $3.27, exceeding market expectations and demonstrating robust performance amid a slowing auto industry, with projections for continued growth in 2026.
- Increased Shareholder Returns: GM announced a 20% increase in its dividend and a new $6 billion stock buyback authorization, aimed at boosting investor confidence and enhancing its stock price, further solidifying its market position.
- Robust Cash Flow: The company achieved an adjusted free cash flow of $10.6 billion in 2025, a significant increase from $3 billion five years ago, with plans to invest $10 billion to $12 billion over the next two years to expand U.S. manufacturing capacity and reduce tariff exposure.
- Resilience Against Challenges: Despite facing $3.5 billion in tariffs and $1.25 billion in inflation costs, GM has demonstrated strong adaptability through regulatory savings and production optimization, with expectations for continued improvement in costs and profitability.
General Motors Achieves Strong Earnings, Stock Hits Record High
- Stock Performance: General Motors' stock has surged over 70% in the past year, with multiple Wall Street analysts raising their price targets to a record $122 following the company's better-than-expected 2025 results, reflecting strong investor confidence in its execution.
- Financial Strength: GM ended last year with a cash balance of $21.7 billion and generated $10.6 billion in adjusted free cash flow in 2025, enabling the company to confidently allocate capital and invest amid market uncertainties.
- Earnings Outlook: GM projects net income for 2026 to be between $10.3 billion and $11.7 billion, with adjusted EBIT ranging from $13 billion to $15 billion, showcasing its resilience and adaptability in the face of inflation and tariff pressures.
- Shareholder Returns: Since November 2023, GM has repurchased $23 billion in stock, reducing its outstanding shares by nearly 35%, which enhances earnings per share and shareholder value, demonstrating the company's commitment to capital returns.
