Stock futures remain largely unchanged as Wall Street gears up for a winning week. Despite the slight fluctuations, the major averages are poised for weekly gains, with the S&P 500 up 1.4% for the week. This positive trajectory comes on the heels of a record-setting session, where the S&P 500 hit new intraday and closing all-time highs on Wednesday. However, the markets were closed on Thursday due to the Christmas holiday. Mark Newton, head of technical strategy at Fundstrat, attributes this resilience to the year's overall positive performance, noting that U.S. stocks have largely ignored fears of an AI bubble, tariffs, and potential economic volatility. This resilience is further bolstered by the historically strong seasonal period investors are currently in, anticipating a Santa Claus rally between the last five trading days of the year and the first two of the new one, with the S&P 500 averaging a 1.3% gain since 1950. Meanwhile, the discount retailer Ross Stores has demonstrated remarkable resilience in 2025 by expanding its brick-and-mortar presence while others in the industry consolidated. This strategic move has paid off, with the company hitting an all-time high in December and outperforming the S&P 500's performance. Despite trade fears and economic concerns, Ross Stores' stock has risen significantly, with analysts predicting continued momentum in 2026 due to its resilience in a volatile tariff environment.
