Global Markets Close 2024 on Mixed Note as Investors Eye 2025 Uncertainties

U.S. stocks post strong annual gains despite December losses, with focus shifting to Donald Trump's policies and Federal Reserve actions next year.

The S&P 500 is set to close 2024 with a 24% annual gain, marking back-to-back years of over 20% growth for the first time since the late 1990s.
Tech stocks, led by Nvidia's 180% surge, were key drivers of U.S. market gains, with the Nasdaq up over 31% for the year.
Investors are cautious heading into 2025 due to uncertainties surrounding President-elect Donald Trump's proposed policies, including tariff increases, tax cuts, and regulatory changes.
Higher U.S. Treasury yields in December, driven by inflation concerns, weighed on equity valuations, while the Federal Reserve signaled a slower pace of rate cuts next year.
Global markets saw mixed performance, with weak Chinese manufacturing data and geopolitical tensions adding to concerns over economic growth in Asia and Europe.