Stock Market Today, Dec. 15: U.S Stocks Ease as Investors Wait for Rate Clarity
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By Eric Trie – Dec 15, 2025 at 6:20PM ESTSNPINDEX: ^GSPCS&P 500 IndexMarket Cap$0.0KToday's Changeangle-down(-0.16%) $10.90Current Price$6816.51Price as of December 15, 2025 at 4:42 PM ETToday, Dec. 15, 2025, stocks dipped as growth shares faltered and traders assessed trade risk alongside Fed commentary.The S&P 500 (^GSPC 0.16%) slipped 0.16% to 6,816.34, the Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC 0.59%) fell 0.59% to 23,057.41 on continued AI and tech weakness, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJINDEX: ^DJI) eased 0.09% to 48,416.57 in cautious, data-focused trading.Market moversKyverna Therapeutics (KYTX +23.23%) soared more than 30% after positive Phase 2 data in stiff person syndrome, bucking broader Nasdaq weakness. In defensives, Hershey (HSY +3.66%) gained on an analyst upgrade highlighting EPS visibility, while Costco (COST 2.67%) lagged after a downgrade to Sell on softening fundamentals.What this means for investorsMarkets slowed ahead of a busy stretch of economic data that could shift the rate outlook for next year. With the S&P 500 unable to gain traction, incoming data now carries more weight in shaping how investors price the path of rate cuts and where leadership settles next.Pressure in AI and technology stocks continued to weigh on the Nasdaq Composite. The pullback reflects a growing unease with valuations that had assumed uninterrupted momentum. A price-target cut for Broadcom added to that caution and nudged investors toward companies where earnings are easier to underwrite.Hedge funds continued to add to U.S. equity positions for a sixth straight week. That support was offset by soft signals out of China and continued weakness in Asian tech stocks. Investors now shift their focus to Tuesday’s payrolls report for a clearer read on where the market goes next.About the AuthorEric Trie is a Motley Fool contributing stock analyst covering technology and semiconductors, healthcare, financial services, and consumer sectors. Previously, he worked in investment analysis and financial writing. He holds a B.A. in Philosophy from Rutgers University. Eric lives in New York City and is an avid sports fan.CMFIdeaMachineRead NextDec 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?Dec 15, 2025 •By Bram BerkowitzWhy December 16 to 18 Could Be Big Days for the S&P 500 IndexDec 15, 2025 •By Keith SpeightsThe S&P 500 Is About to Do Something It's Only Done 8 Times in 100 Years. Here's What History Suggests Will Happen in 2026.Dec 14, 2025 •By David Jagielski, CPAPrediction: This Will Make or Break the S&P 500's Performance in 2026Dec 14, 2025 •By Sean WilliamsIs President Donald Trump's Tariff and Trade Policy Setting Wall Street Up for a Stock Market Crash in 2026? A Comprehensive Analysis Weighs In.Dec 14, 2025 •By Trevor JennewineWill the Stock Market Soar in 2026?
The Federal Reserve Has Good News for Investors.