Stocks fall Wednesday as bond yields jump and China alarms

MARKETS TODAY Dec 28 (Vica Partners)

DOW (^DJI) 32,876 (-366), S&P 500 (^GSPC) 3,7836 (-46), Nasdaq (^IXIC) 10,213 (-140), Russell 2000 (^RUT) 1,722 (-27), NYSE FANG+ (^NYFANG) 4,274 (-42), Brent Crude $83.26/barrel (-$1.07), Gold $1,805/oz (-$7), Bitcoin 16.5k (-162)

Session Overview

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 1.10% today, to close at 32,875.71 on thin Holiday trading volumes. The 10-year U.S. Treasury almost topped 3.9%, its highest level in 6 weeks. The Energy and Information Technology sectors were the hardest hit, down 1.91% and 1.66% respectively. Oil prices moved lower on concerns that rising Covid-19 cases in China could affect global demand while Apple extended its weekly losses and hitting a 52-week low, making it the worst performer of the Dow Jones Industrial Average index on the day.

Technicals/ Sector Performance/ Yields+

All 11 of S&P 500 Sectors lower; the best performing sectors were the Financials and Heath Care sectors, declining 0.61% and 0.65% respectively. The Energy and Information Technology sectors were the biggest laggards, down 1.91% and 1.66% respectively.

Yields continued to rise today: US – 2yr to 4.357%, 5yr to 3.973%, 10yr to 3.886%, 30yr to 3.975%

Greed Index Rating 31/ Fear+

U.S Economic News

  • The Pending Home Sales Index (PHSI); pending home sales decreased for the sixth consecutive month, down 4.0% from October to 73.9 in November. Year-over-year, pending transactions dropped by 37.8%. Pending home sales recorded the second-lowest monthly reading in 20 years. An index of 100 is equal to the level of contract activity in 2001.

Other Asset Classes:

  • CBOE Volatility Index (^VIX): +0.49 to 22.14
  • USD index: +$0.28 to $104.46
  • Oil prices after hours – Brent: -1.27% to $83.26, WTI: -0.31% to $78.65, Nat Gas: -10.85% to $4.70
  • Gold: -0.39% to $1,805.41, Silver: -2.09% to $23.52, Copper: -0.23% to $3.83
  • Bitcoin: -0.97% to $16.5k

In world news   

  • The easing of severe Covid-19 restrictions in China have implications for growth in the world’s second-largest economy after lockdowns disrupted global supply chains this year.  The latest move comes from Hong Kong, where the government announced the removal of mandatory Covid-19 tests for inbound travelers.

Vica Momentum Stock Report 

ONESPAN (OSPN) $OSPN. (Momentum Grade B+) (Value C+) 50 Day Average +20.48%, 100 Day Average +1.10%, 200 Day Average -10.86%, Year to Date -35.03%

OneSpan Inc. provides software services. The Company designs and develops security software and e-signature solutions which protects devices and financial transactions from fraud and misuse. It delivers risk analytics, mobile security and authentication services.

Market Outlook

Market Outlook and updates posted at vicapartners.com

Journal

VMSI INDEX

Capital Turns a Corner: Institutions Begin to Lean In

VMSI Climbs to 52.7 as Institutions Shift Toward Cautious Optimism June 5, 2025 | VICA Research VICA Partners Research’s VMSI ...
RESEARCH

Why the Debt Alarm Is the Best News for Long-Term Investors in a Decade

By VICA Partners | June 2025 Every few years, financial headlines rediscover U.S. government debt. The tone is always urgent. ...
News

Cautious Confidence Builds as VMSI Brushes Recovery Line

Cautious Optimism Builds as Defensive Posture Persists May 30, 2025 | VICA Research VICA Partners Research’s VMSI © shows where ...