Federal Reserve News 5 December 2025 - 7 December 2025

U.S. stocks wrapped the first week of December with modest gains, pushing major indexes back to the edge of all‑time highs as investors doubled down on expectations of a Federal Reserve rate cut next week and digested one of the biggest media deals in history. For the trading week ended Friday, December 5, the S&P 500 rose about 0.3%, the Dow Jones Industrial Averagegained 0.5%, and the Nasdaq Composite climbed 0.9%, according to Associated Press figures. Small caps also joined the party, with the Russell 2000 up 0.8% on the week.  Times Union Year-to-date, the S&P 500 is now up roughly 16.8%, the Dow about 12.7%, the Nasdaq more than 22%, and the Russell 2000

U.S. stock futures on Friday, December 5, 2025, extended their climb as traders leaned into the idea of a “soft landing” and an almost certain Federal Reserve rate cut next week. Futures on the S&P 500, Nasdaq 100 and Dow Jones Industrial Average all traded higher, helping push Wall Street to the edge of fresh record highs while global markets digested a delayed but reassuring inflation reading. Barchart.com+2Reuters+2 Below is a detailed look at the latest moves in stock futures, the key news from December 5, and what analysts and strategists are saying about the road ahead. U.S. Stock Futures

Wall Street finished modestly higher after the closing bell on Friday, with all three major US stock indexes hovering near record territory as fresh—but delayed—inflation and spending data kept expectations for a Federal Reserve rate cut next week firmly in place. The session was dominated by macro headlines and a blockbuster Netflix–Warner Bros. deal that jolted media stocks and helped extend the market’s year-end rally. Reuters+1 Market recap: indexes close just shy of records By the end of trading on Friday, December 5, 2025: The moves capped a relatively calm but constructive week for US equities. The S&P 500 advanced about 0.3% for