Gotrade Daily: Markets Await Economic Data for the 2026 Outlook
Stocks pause as investors reassess rate expectations.
U.S. equities edged lower at the start of the week as investors adopted a more cautious stance ahead of several key economic data releases that could shape interest rate expectations for 2026. The Dow Jones Industrial Average and S&P 500 slipped modestly, while the Nasdaq fell more sharply as technology stocks remained under pressure.
Weakness in tech extended recent moves driven by renewed concerns over elevated AI expectations. Investors continued to trim exposure to growth oriented names, leaving the Nasdaq lagging broader indices that are less concentrated in technology.
Some strategists view the pullback as a healthy pause rather than a shift in overall market sentiment. Reduced enthusiasm around select AI driven trades has helped ease crowding, potentially allowing broader market participation to develop over time.
Attention now turns to a busy data calendar, with U.S. jobs and inflation reports scheduled this week. The outcomes will be closely watched for signals on whether the Federal Reserve has room to continue easing policy into next year or may need to remain on hold for longer.
📊 Market Wrap Dec 16th 2025
🧠 Analyst Notes
💬 Market Highlights
Nvidia Acquires SchedMD to Strengthen AI and HPC Infrastructure
Nvidia (NVDA) acquired SchedMD, the developer of Slurm, the open source workload manager widely used across top supercomputers and AI clusters. Slurm is deployed across most systems on the TOP500 list and has long been integrated with Nvidia hardware. The deal strengthens Nvidia’s position in AI and HPC infrastructure software while keeping Slurm open source and vendor neutral to support large scale computing ecosystems.
Ford Pivots EV Strategy With $19.5 Billion Write Down
Ford (F) announced a strategic shift in its EV business, recording a $19.5 billion write down and halting production of the current generation F 150 Lightning. The company is refocusing on hybrids, extended range EVs, and more affordable electric models amid softer demand for pure EVs. Despite the restructuring, Ford raised its 2025 EBIT guidance and maintained cash flow projections, signaling continued financial discipline.
Zillow Shares Slide After Google Tests Property Listings
Shares of Zillow (Z) (ZG) fell sharply following reports that Google has begun testing direct home sale listings within search results. The pilot remains limited and does not yet involve agents or brokers, but has raised concerns over potential disruption from Google within the digital real estate ecosystem. The move adds competitive pressure for online property platforms that rely heavily on search traffic.
📅 Earnings Watch
Markets remained cautious as investors positioned ahead of data that could influence policy expectations into the new year. Attention now turns to whether upcoming reports reinforce the case for a softer rate path in 2026.
Which stocks are you watching today?
Disclaimer:
Gotrade is the trading name of Gotrade Securities Inc., registered with and supervised by the Labuan Financial Services Authority (LFSA). This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Always do your own research (DYOR) before investing.
