Stocks failed to deliver a so-called Santa Claus Rally, a trend first identified by Yale Hirsch and the "Stock Trader's Almanac" in 1972 as broad index gains over the final five t

Wall Street remains optimistic. The consensus price target for the S&P 500 in 2025 is 6715, 14% higher than where the blue-chip barometer ended in 2024.

Santa Claus is leaving investors in the lurch once again in 2024 as U.S. stocks have struggled during the typically bullish home stretch of the year.

In midday trading, the Dow Jones Industrial Average plunged 528 points, or 1.2%, to 42,796. The S&P 500 lost 1.7%, and the Nasdaq dropped more than 450 points, or 2.3%. All three indexes are still set for weekly gains, with the benchmark index now about 2.3% below its all-time high of 6,099.97 points clinched on Dec. 6.

Dec. 31 window, known as Santa Claus rally, averaging 0.85% return in 64 out of 96 years. 2018 saw strongest rally of 6.6%.

U.S. stock futures were edging higher to start the week, extending some early gains to start the year. It’s a welcome relief after St. Nick decided not to visit the stock market. The rebound follows a disappointing spell after the Christmas holiday–the proverbial Santa Claus Rally,

U.S. stock futures were edging higher to start the week, extending some early gains to start the year. It’s a welcome relief after St. Nick [decided not to visit](