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At close: December 30 at 5:25:13 PM GMT+1

10 charts that tell the story of markets and the economy in 2024

Here's why the S&P 500 is on track to rise more than 20% in two consecutive years for the first time since the late 1990s.

Yahoo Finance 2 days ago

AAPL

^GSPC

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Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac could go private, Bill Ackman says

Fannie Mae (FNMA) and Freddie Mac (FMCC) — the Federal National Mortgage Association and Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, respectively — are trading higher after billionaire activist investor Bill Ackman said the companies could go private around 2026, exiting government conservatorship which the mortgage companies have been under since the 2008 housing crisis. Julie Hyman outlines what investors need to know on Market Domination. To watch more expert insights and analysis on the latest market action, check out more Market Domination here. This post was written by Naomi Buchanan.

Yahoo Finance Video yesterday

XLRE

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Natural gas prices jump on colder winter predictions

Natural gas (NG=F) prices climbed during Monday's trading session as investors respond to forecasts predicting colder-than-expected January temperatures. Interactive Brokers Chief Strategist Steve Sosnick joins Market Domination hosts Julie Hyman and Josh Schafer to examine what this signals for the broader energy sector in 2025. To watch more expert insights and analysis on the latest market action, check out more Market Domination here. This post was written by Angel Smith

Yahoo Finance Video 2 days ago

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US housing market: The factors that could set up a 2025 comeback

US pending home sales rose 2.2% in November, a hopeful sign the housing market could see some recovery in 2025 after a tumultuous 2024 marred by elevated mortgage rates. HousingWire lead analyst Logan Mohtashami joins Madison Mills to talk about key drivers for improvement in 2025, including a slowing economy and rising unemployment rates that could create an opportunity for mortgage rates to cool. “The one positive for 2025... is that mortgage spreads have gotten better, too, so you don’t need too much help from the ten-year yield," Mohtashami says. "If rates just get towards 6%, you could get demand growth easily in 2025," he adds. Read up on Yahoo Finance senior housing reporter Claire Boston's coverage of the latest home sales data. To watch more expert insights and analysis on the latest market action, check out more Wealth! here. This post was written by Josh Lynch

Yahoo Finance Video 2 days ago

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US pending home sales rise to highest level since early 2023

US pending home sales rose 2.2% month-over-month in November to reach a reading of 79, the highest reading reported by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) since February 2023. Catalysts anchors Seana Smith and Madison Mills report on the regional trends in the US housing market. To watch more expert insights and analysis on the latest market action, check out more Catalysts here. This post was written by Luke Carberry Mogan.

Yahoo Finance Video 2 days ago

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The S&P 500's best and worst performing sectors of 2024

US stocks (^DJI, ^IXIC, ^GSPC) slide lower at Monday's market open — one of the last full trading days of 2024 — with the Nasdaq Composite dropping by over 1.3%. As the trading year comes to a close this week, what were some of the best and worst-performing sectors in 2024? Morning Brief hosts Seana Smith and Madison Mills review some of this past year's biggest sector leaders and laggards in the S&P 500 (^GSPC). To watch more expert insights and analysis on the latest market action, check out more Morning Brief here. This post was written by Luke Carberry Mogan.

Yahoo Finance Video 2 days ago

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Should You Invest in the iShares U.S. Basic Materials ETF (IYM)?

Sector ETF report for IYM

Zacks 2 days ago

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Up 29% Year to Date, Can Gold Outperform the S&P 500 Again in 2025?

With a 28.7% year-to-date (YTD) return, gold is slightly outperforming the S&P 500's (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) 26.6% YTD gain. Here are some factors that can drive the price of gold, the role gold can play in a diversified portfolio, and different ways to invest in gold. Gold is a commodity, so the price can move based on several macroeconomic factors.

Motley Fool 4 days ago

^GSPC

GLD
Why the materials sector struggled throughout 2024

The Materials sector (XLB) has declined about 1% in 2024, ranking it among the S&P 500's (^GSPC) worst-performing sectors this year. Yahoo Finance Senior Markets Reporter Ines Ferré analyzes the sector's performance throughout 2024, examining the factors behind its underwhelming results and how global economic slowdowns, particularly in China, have impacted materials companies. She also spotlights standout stocks for the year, including EcoLab Inc. (ECL) and Sherwin-Williams (SHW). To watch more expert insights and analysis on the latest market action, check out more Market Domination here. This post was written by Angel Smith

Yahoo Finance Video 4 days ago

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Housing market has supply issue, excess demand: Expert

Coldwell Banker Affiliates President Jason Waugh joins Wealth to discuss housing market dynamics heading into 2025. Waugh highlights continued growth in both pending and existing home sales data. "As inventory continues to grow ... certainly we expect affordability to ease," he tells Yahoo Finance. According to Waugh, the housing market faces a supply challenge rather than a demand issue. He emphasizes the need for "more stability" in interest rates, suggesting that once rates become "less volatile," the market will "adapt," leading to increased inventory and stronger consumer confidence. Currently, luxury buyers are dominating the market. Homes valued at $1 million or more experienced a 25% year-over-year increase in November. Waugh notes, "That community is certainly less dependent on the interest rates." To watch more expert insights and analysis on the latest market action, check out more Wealth here. This post was written by Angel Smith

Yahoo Finance Video 5 days ago

XLRE
In 2025, 'last shall be the first': Materials, healthcare

Great Hill Capital chairman and managing member Thomas Hayes joins Catalysts to discuss his optimistic outlook for the healthcare (XLV) and materials (XLB) sectors in 2025. "I think the theme for 2025 is going to be: the last shall be first," Hayes tells Yahoo Finance. He notes that, while healthcare and materials delivered "anemic returns" in 2024, both sectors are projected to be among the top four for earnings growth in 2025, with expected earnings surpassing those of the S&P 500 (^GSPC). In healthcare, Hayes addresses investor concerns about Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who is set to lead the Health and Human Services Department under the Trump administration. Hayes believes these worries are overblown, suggesting it will create a "sell the rumor, buy the news" opportunity. Regarding materials, Hayes downplays tariff concerns, viewing them more as a "negotiating tactic." He recalls Trump's previous presidency, when he campaigned as "the tariff king," noting that, while materials initially sold off after his victory, the sector quickly rallied in 2017 after his inauguration. Hayes expects "more of the same thing" this time around. He names Albamarle Corporation (ALB) as one of the top players in the space. To watch more expert insights and analysis on the latest market action, check out more Catalysts here. This post was written by Angel Smith

Yahoo Finance Video 5 days ago

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Energy stocks are ending 2024 flat. Here are the big winners.

The Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLE) is ending 2024 almost exactly where it started. But there were some big winners in the year. Yahoo Finance Senior Business Reporter Ines Ferré joins host Akiko Fujita on Market Domination to review the energy sector's performance in 2024 and discuss the stocks that are ending the year higher. To watch more expert insights and analysis on the latest market action, check out more Market Domination here. This post was written by Josh Lynch

Yahoo Finance Video 5 days ago

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XLE
Mortgage rates may remain above 6% 'even until 2026,' expert says

US new home sales rose 5.9% month-over-month in November, an appreciated uptick as elevated mortgage rates continue to deter homebuyers wishing to enter the housing market. Will these same trends persist into 2025? Walton Global EVP of Capital Markets Katie Hubbard sits down with Catalysts anchors Brad Smith and Josh Lipton to discuss the surge in homebuilder sentiment and where she forecasts home affordability to land in the new year. "Our clients are still... offering incentives like mortgage rate buy-downs because of the elevated mortgages. We don't think mortgages are going to get to 6%, not even until 2026, where that magic mortgage rate number is really 5.5%," Hubbard tells Yahoo Finance. "So... there's still that elevated mortgage is causing affordability issues on both sides." To watch more expert insights and analysis on the latest market action, check out more Catalysts here. This post was written by Luke Carberry Mogan.

Yahoo Finance Video 8 days ago

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XHB
Housing market is actually 'balanced, healthy,' realtor explains

Mortgage rates climbed to 6.72% this week, according to the latest Freddie Mac data. DeBianchi Real Estate President and Realtor Sam DeBianchi Laviola joins Wealth to analyze the implications for housing market dynamics. DeBianchi Laviola cites studies suggesting mortgage rates will fluctuate between 6 to 7%, noting that the Federal Reserve's cautious interest rate outlook triggered this week's rate increase. However, she anticipates rates could drop to the 5-6% range in the coming year. "We're actually in a really balanced and healthy market right now but a lot of homebuyers and sellers may not feel that because inventory is still tight," she explains. DeBianchi Laviola adds that "now is a really good time to jump in the market because sellers are generally more negotiable." For those considering entering the housing market, she offers three key recommendations: secure mortgage pre-approval requirements, be prepared to negotiate price points with sellers, and explore various lending products beyond the traditional 30-year fixed mortgage to find the best personal fit. To watch more expert insights and analysis on the latest market action, check out more Wealth here. This post was written by Angel Smith

Yahoo Finance Video 12 days ago

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XLRE
Affordability woes in a strong economy: 2025 housing market outlook

With the new year around the corner, Zillow Group (Z) chief economist Skylar Olsen joins Brad Smith on Wealth to talk about her expectations for the housing market in 2025. Olsen says that, looking to 2025, Zillow is "thinking about the affordability challenge, but also thinking about the strength and the economy." She explains, "Put two of those things together, and you've got a lot of buyers in make-it-work mode," meaning buyers are "still trying to take advantage of more affordable" opportunities like buying a home outside of major cities. "We're thinking about the rental market, which will be more important next year because of the continued barriers to the for sale side," the economist says, since there are "generations of people who are going to be renting for longer." As mortgage rates are expected to stay higher for longer, "Zillow does expect probably fewer new listings from existing owners than we did just a couple months ago moving into that next year. That said, we still forecast a steady improvement." To watch more expert insights and analysis on the latest market action, check out more Wealth here. This post was written by Naomi Buchanan.

Yahoo Finance Video 13 days ago

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XHB
Existing home sales pop, signaling buyers are in 'make-it-work mode'

Existing home sales jumped in November, rising 4.8% from the month prior and 6.1% year over year, new data from the National Association of Realtors shows. Zillow Group chief economist Skylar Olsen joins Wealth host Brad Smith to break down what the data signals about the housing market ahead of 2025. "Existing home sales more than matched our optimism for November's numbers. We did expect it to come in probably surprisingly high, [but] I think this more than delivered," Olsen says. She notes Zillow has been tracking a "stronger momentum from new listings, from existing homeowners kind of filling up the shelves, adding to that inventory for buyers, and the strength of the economy pushed buyers through in a make-it-work mode, despite rising mortgage rates to deliver such a stunning showing." The economist says that, in the new year, "we're not going to see [a] big relief from a price correction. Any relief that we hope for from affordability will come in the form of lower mortgage rates." To watch more expert insights and analysis on the latest market action, check out more Wealth here. This post was written by Naomi Buchanan.

Yahoo Finance Video 13 days ago

XHB

XLRE
Mortgage rates perk up, snapping three weeks of declines

Mortgage rates pop back up this week following the Federal Reserve's latest interest rate cut, the central bank now forecasting fewer rate cuts to come in 2025. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage climbs back to 6.72%, up from last week's 6.60% and snapping three straight weeks of rate declines. Yahoo Finance housing reporter Claire Boston sits down with Brad Smith to talk more about mortgage rate trends, in relation to homebuyers' sentiments on the rate environment. Read more of Claire Boston's coverage on mortgage rates. To watch more expert insights and analysis on the latest market action, check out more Wealth here. This post was written by Luke Carberry Mogan.

Yahoo Finance Video 13 days ago

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XHB
Mortgage rates creating 'tug-of-war' with affordability: Fannie Mae

The Federal Reserve cut interest rates by 25 basis points at their final meeting of 2024 with a majority of central bank officials now expecting to only cut rates twice in 2025. What kind of impacts could this have on mortgage rates and the US housing market? Fannie Mae (Federal National Mortgage Association) chief economist Mark Palim sits down with Josh Lipton talk about more about pricing trends in the housing market. Fannie Mae's affiliate organization, the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (or Freddie Mac), is scheduled to release the latest mortgage rate figures Thursday morning. "The key issue for the housing market in the United States, for sure, has been affordability, of which high mortgage rates [are] definitely part of that discussion and it's also being renter affordability," Palim says. "The Fed today came out and ratified... bond market investor concerns about whether inflation would be as stickier than it looked six months ago, or that they even looked at the beginning of the year. So you should expect mortgage rates to... remain a little higher than they might have otherwise been." Palim describes mortgage rates, a key component for the lock-in effect for homeowners, as being in a "tug-of-war" with housing affordability: "People don't want to move and give up that 3% mortgage rate and affordability. We started the year with existing home sales running at 4.2 million; we're ending the year running... around 4 million. So you're seeing the higher rates relative to where they were a few years ago really starting to affect demand." To watch more expert insights and analysis on the latest market action, check out more Asking for a Trend here. This post was written by Luke Carberry Mogan.

Yahoo Finance Video 13 days ago

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KBH

XHB
It's 'critical' home builders 'ramp up production': NAR economist

New home construction fell to a four-month low in November, down 1.8% from the previous month. Yet new home inventory is at a 17-year high, and homebuilders are optimistic heading into 2025. Following yesterday's interview with National Association of Home Builders CEO Jim Tobin, National Association of Realtors chief economist Lawrence Yun joins Brad Smith on Wealth to discuss his outlook for the housing market. "Home sales have been rising in recent months after being stagnant in the early part of the year, and the reasoning is very simple: We have more inventory...bringing out more buyers," Yun says. The economist notes, "We know that the mortgage rate is not fully behaving, as the Federal Reserve has been cutting rates, mortgage rates stubbornly refusing to decline, but the more inventory, more choices for consumers are bringing buyers back into the market." He says, "That's why it is critical that the builders ramp up production in the upcoming years. So I do believe that the builders need to produce more and will produce more." To watch more expert insights and analysis on the latest market action, check out more Wealth here. This post was written by Naomi Buchanan.

Yahoo Finance Video 14 days ago

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XLRE
How mortgage rates halted a housing market recovery in 2024

Wall Street anticipated a housing market "thaw" in 2024, but the market remains frozen. Yahoo Finance Senior Reporter Dani Romero examined why expectations fell short, highlighting the role of persistently high mortgage rates in maintaining the US housing market's standstill. To watch more expert insights and analysis on the latest market action, check out more Wealth here. This post was written by Angel Smith

Yahoo Finance Video 14 days ago

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