How the stock market Santa Rally was derailed - after Trump delivered an early boost
Daily MailStock market investors have been denied a so-called Santa Rally in the closing stages of 2024, having weathered yet another year dominated by geopolitical turmoil and macroeconomic headwinds. The US Federal Reserve helped spark the worst week for stock markets since early September last week as the Fed struck a more hawkish interest rate tone, despite cutting for the third consecutive meeting. ‘Furthermore, US core Personal Consumption Expenditure came in below expectations at a yearly run rate of 2.8 per cent.’ How major markets have performed The S&P 500 and Dow Jones are down by 0.9 and 4.2 per cent respectively over the last month as a result, while the dominance of the global tech giants has helped the Nasdaq gain 2.7 per cent for the month. ‘The long period of speculation prior to Rachael Reeves announcements is unlikely to have helped, given the rumour mill was running on overdrive.’ Similar growth woes have hit also hit the eurozone, with the Stoxx Europe 600 adding just 5.2 per cent for the year, Meanwhile, waves of Chinese government stimulus have helped to calm markets as ructions in the country’s all-important property sector have sent shockwaves through the broader economy. How different assets reacted last week and over the course of 2024 China’s CSI 300 Index is up 2.2 per cent over the last month, taking 2024 gains to 16.16 per cent, after officials said Beijing would ‘implement more proactive fiscal policies and moderately loose monetary policies’.