Stock Market Today, Dec. 16: Energy Stocks Slide as Oil Drops to Multi-Year Lows
Summarize this article with:
By Emma Newbery – Dec 16, 2025 at 6:42PM ESTSNPINDEX: ^GSPCS&P 500 IndexMarket Cap$0.0KToday's Changeangle-down(-0.24%) $16.25Current Price$6800.26Price as of December 16, 2025 at 4:56 PM ETOn Dec. 16, 2025, oil’s slide to multi‑year lows rattled energy leaders and helped pull major U.S. benchmarks off recent highs.The S&P 500 (^GSPC 0.24%) slipped 0.24% to 6,800.26, the Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC +0.23%) edged up 0.23% to 23,111.46, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJINDEX:^DJI) fell 0.62% to 48,114.27 as mixed jobs data and cheaper oil pressured cyclicals.Market moversEnergy names lagged today, with APA (APA 5.18%), Diamondback Energy (FANG 3.25%), and Dow component Exxon Mobil (XOM 2.62%) sliding as crude hit multi‑year lows.
Advance Auto Parts (AAP 3.06%) dropped after weak auto-related retail data and company‑specific headwinds weighed on consumer discretionary.What this means for investorsDelayed job and retail reports released today brought more uncertainty for investors. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, unemployment rose to 4.6% -- the highest it's been since 2021. At the same time, the economy added new jobs. Consumer spending was flat, in part due to weak auto sales.Weak jobs data could be a factor that slows demand for oil, which would be exacerbated by a growing surplus.
West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil fell below $55 a barrel, its lowest point in four years. Brent fell below $60 a barrel.Finally, a Bank of America (BAC 0.94%) survey is flashing warning signals for investors. It shows cash allocations are at record lows, while exposure to equities and investments is the highest it's been since 2022. It says this, combined with overly optimistic expectations, may be a sign the market is close to its peak.About the AuthorEmma Newberry is a contributing Motley Fool cryptocurrency analyst covering digital currencies and blockchain trends. She previously wrote for Motley Fool Money (formerly The Ascent) on personal finance, investing, retirement readiness, and crypto. Earlier in her career, Emma founded an English-language newspaper in Colombia and contributed to Olympic city bid campaigns. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English literature with creative writing from the University of East Anglia in the UK.TMFemmanewberyRead NextDec 16, 2025 •By Adam SpataccoThe Stock Market Just Flashed a Warning We Haven't Seen for More Than 20 Years. Here's What History Suggests Will Happen Next.Dec 16, 2025 •By Jeremy BowmanUnemployment Hits 4.6% in the Latest Jobs Report.
What This Means for Wall StreetDec 16, 2025 •By Adam SpataccoWill There Be a Santa Claus Rally in the Stock Market This Year?Dec 16, 2025 •By Jeremy BowmanThe Stock Market Is About To Do Something It's Only Done Three Times Since the Postwar Era.
History Says This Is What Happens in 2026Dec 15, 2025 •By Eric TrieStock Market Today, Dec. 15: U.S Stocks Ease as Investors Wait for Rate ClarityDec 15, 2025 •By Adria CiminoWarren Buffett Has Repeated His Warning to Wall Street for 12 Quarters. Now, as 2026 Approaches, Is It Time to Listen?