Stock futures entered Sunday night with only minor changes as investors prepared for the final month of trading this year. The Dow Jones Industrial Average futures slipped 47 points, equivalent to 0.1%, while S&P 500 futures and Nasdaq 100 futures saw declines of 0.1% and 0.2% respectively. These movements followed a successful week and month for stocks. Much of November's trading was centered around the post-election rally that emerged after President-elect Donald Trump won. In fact, November proved to be the best month of 2024 for both the Dow and S&P 500. Both indexes also achieved new all-time intraday and closing highs in Friday's shortened trading session. Small-cap stocks also performed well in November as investors recognized the potential benefits of Trump's tax cuts. The Russell 2000 surged more than 10% during the month, marking its largest monthly gain of the year.Investors will be closely watching economic data on manufacturing and construction spending on Monday. This comes ahead of a series of highly anticipated labor data due later in the week. They will also be monitoring speeches from Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller and New York Fed President John Williams.The market has just completed a winning week and trading month, with Friday's closing bell signaling the end. Here's a recap of how the three major indexes performed:The Dow's Performance
The Dow gained 1.4% during the week, pushing its monthly gain to 7.5%. This significant increase showcases the strength and resilience of the Dow in the recent trading period. It indicates that investors have confidence in the market and are willing to take on more risks.The S&P 500's Progress
The S&P 500 added 1.1% over the week and finished November with a 5.7% increase. This steady growth highlights the broad-based nature of the market recovery. It shows that various sectors within the S&P 500 have been participating in the upward trend, providing a more stable and diversified investment opportunity.The Nasdaq Composite's Ascent
The Nasdaq Composite rose 1.1% during the week and ended the month with a 6.2% advance. This strong performance is particularly notable as the Nasdaq is often considered a bellwether for technology and growth stocks. It indicates that the technology sector continues to thrive and drive the market forward.Notably, both the Dow and S&P 500 achieved their best monthly performances of 2024 in November. This is a significant milestone and reflects the positive sentiment and market conditions during this period.— Alex HarringStock futures are showing only slight fluctuations.Futures linked to the Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq 100 were all hovering near flat levels shortly after 6 p.m. ET on Sunday night. This lack of significant movement suggests that investors are taking a cautious approach as they await further developments in the market.— Alex Harring
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