As Wednesday, December 31st, 2025, draws to a close, the U.S. stock market is experiencing a subdued finish to what has largely been a banner year. Major market indexes are trending lower in afternoon trading, marking a fourth consecutive session of declines. Despite this late-December slump, all three key benchmarks—the S&P 500, Nasdaq Composite, and Dow Jones Industrial Average—are on track to record impressive double-digit gains for the entirety of 2025, driven by a resilient economy and enthusiasm surro ...