Dow, S&P 500 snap losing streak as chip and AI stocks kick off 2026 with a rally
NEW YORK, Jan 3, 2026, 17:26 ET The Dow and S&P 500 ended higher on Friday to start 2026, snapping four-session losing streaks as semiconductor shares rallied, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq finished fractionally lower. Investopedia The early tone matters because U.S. equities enter the new year after a three-year run of strong gains, with investors looking for signs that demand for AI-linked trades can broaden beyond a narrow group of winners. It also comes as traders brace for a busier data calendar and new policy risks, after a muted holiday stretch that left markets prone to sharp moves on thin