Follow all the action in financial markets on Friday as the new year kicks off.

US stocks fell slightly on Tuesday, as Wall Street tried to regroup after a tech-led slide in the final stretch of 2025.

Some analysts predicted even better performance in 2026. JPMorgan Wealth Management predicted stock gains next year between 13% and 15%. BNY Wealth estimated the S & P 500 would end 2026 as high as $7,600, which would amount to about a 10% jump from where the index stood on Dec. 23. Morgan Stanley also forecasted an increase in 2026 of 10%.

Gold futures edge higher after Monday's slide in metals prices

Forbes asked 34 billionaires in early 2025 how they thought the S&P 500 would fare. Turns out, not even billionaires can see the future.

The S & P 500 finished the year up 16%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq climbed 19%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed out 2025 up 13%. A dip in each of the indexes on Wednesday left markets lower in the year’s final trading session.

Live updates on markets and the top finance, economics and business stories. Plus the latest on the Dow, S&P 500 and Nasdaq.

Here's what investors can expect from the stock market and Wall Street's premier growth trends in the new year.

Indian markets posted gains for the second straight week. The Sensex and Nifty rose about 1% each, while the Nifty Bank and Midcap indices advanced nearly 2%.

The U.S. stock market is closing the books on a third straight year of double-digit percentage gains. A fourth stellar year in 2026 may be a tall order, requiring strong earnings, a dovish Federal Reserve and strong artificial intelligence spending.