Futures tied to the S&P 500 index were hovering near the flatline early on Monday as traders approached the final trading weeks of the year with caution. However, last Friday witnessed an extraordinary event as both the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq Composite achieved fresh record closing highs, marking their third consecutive weekly gain. While the Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped for the day and ended the week in the red, the outlook for stocks remains highly optimistic. The US monthly jobs update provided a significant boost, with employers adding 227,000 new workers in November, exceeding estimates by around 25,000. This influx of new staff has fueled the "buy everything" rally, with investors continuing to pour money into risk assets.
The S&P 500 and Nasdaq's upward trajectory is a testament to the strength of the market and the confidence of traders. These indices have become symbols of the economic recovery and the success of the Trump administration's policies. As the year comes to a close, traders are eagerly anticipating what the next year will bring and whether the upward momentum will continue.
President-elect Donald Trump may not be in office yet, but his influence on the market is already palpable. He is busy assembling a team of A-list entrepreneurs, business people, and money mavens, and his latest pick, David Sacks, a venture capital guy, is set to play a crucial role in handling all things AI and crypto. This move has fueled digital assets' latest upside swing, with Bitcoin prices remaining well-bid near the $100,000 mark. Some even speculate that Bitcoin could reach $125,000 in the near future.
The Trump trade has become a self-fulfilling prophecy, with traders buying up risk assets in anticipation of further gains. The president-elect's policies and promises have instilled confidence in the market, leading to a surge in stock prices and the rise of digital currencies. However, it remains to be seen how long this rally will last and what challenges lie ahead.
Bitcoin has been on a remarkable journey, hovering near the $100,000 mark and showing no signs of slowing down. The digital currency has captured the attention of investors worldwide, with its volatility and potential for huge gains attracting both retail and institutional investors. The Trump trade has provided an additional boost to Bitcoin, as investors seek alternative assets to traditional stocks and bonds.
While Bitcoin's price remains highly volatile, it has established itself as a legitimate asset class with a growing number of use cases. From being a store of value to a medium of exchange, Bitcoin is evolving and becoming more mainstream. As the market continues to embrace digital currencies, Bitcoin's future looks bright, and it may well reach new heights in the coming years.