Wall Street celebrated its fifth consecutive day of gains on Friday, capping off what proved to be a turbulent but ultimately positive November for major stock indexes during abbreviated holiday trading.
The S&P 500 climbed 0.5 percent to close at 6,849.09, adding 36.48 points in the shortened session following Thanksgiving. The blue-chip Dow Jones Industrial Average surged 289.30 points, or 0.6 percent, to finish at 47,716.42, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq composite jumped 151 points, representing a 0.7 percent gain to reach 23,365.69.
The Russell 2000 index, which tracks smaller companies, also participated in the rally, rising 14.32 points or 0.6 percent to close at 2,500.43, demonstrating broad-based market strength across different segments of the equity markets.
November proved to be a month of two distinct phases for investors. Mid-month volatility struck as concerns mounted over potentially overvalued artificial intelligence stocks, with market darling Nvidia bearing the brunt of the selling pressure. The chip giant lost 1.8 percent on Friday alone and finished November with a double-digit decline, highlighting investor anxiety about AI-related valuations that had soared throughout much of the year.
However, the final week of November brought renewed optimism as market participants grew increasingly hopeful about the prospect of another Federal Reserve interest rate cut in December. This expectation of continued monetary policy accommodation helped fuel the recent rally across all major indexes.
The week’s performance painted an impressive picture of market resilience. The S&P 500 gained a robust 246.10 points, translating to a 3.7 percent weekly advance. The Dow recorded an even more substantial gain of 1,471.01 points, representing a 3.2 percent weekly increase that demonstrated strong momentum in traditional value stocks.
Technology stocks led the charge for the week, with the Nasdaq posting the strongest performance among major indexes with a 4.9 percent gain, adding 1,092.60 points. Small-cap stocks showed particular strength, as evidenced by the Russell 2000’s impressive 5.5 percent weekly advance, gaining 130.85 points and suggesting investor confidence in domestic-focused businesses.
Looking at the broader year-to-date picture, 2025 has been a strong year for equity investors across the board. The S&P 500 has climbed 16.4 percent, adding 967.46 points since the beginning of the year. The Dow has posted solid gains of 12.2 percent, representing an increase of 5,172.20 points.
The Nasdaq has been the standout performer for the full year, despite recent AI-related concerns, posting an impressive 21 percent gain worth 4,054.89 points. Even the Russell 2000, often seen as a barometer for domestic economic confidence, has delivered respectable returns with a 12.1 percent increase, adding 270.28 points year-to-date.
As markets prepare to enter the final month of 2025, investors will be closely watching for signals from the Federal Reserve regarding potential policy moves, while also monitoring whether the recent rotation away from high-flying AI stocks represents a temporary correction or a more fundamental shift in market dynamics.
The views and opinions expressed are those of the authors. They are meant for general informational purposes only and should not be construed or interpreted as a recommendation or solicitation. The Epoch Times does not provide investment, tax, legal, financial planning, estate planning, or any other personal finance advice. The Epoch Times holds no liability for the accuracy or timeliness of the information provided.
