Financial Markets                      12/23 15:30

   

   NEW YORK (AP) -- Stocks closed at another record on Wall Street Tuesday 
following a surprisingly strong report on economic growth over the summer.

   The U.S. government's first assessment of economic growth during the third 
quarter also showed that inflation remains high. A separate report showed that 
consumer confidence continued fading in December. All of it added to a 
complicated picture of the economy.

   The latest record for the S&P 500 came even as most stocks within the 
benchmark index lost ground. Technology stocks, which have been main force 
pushing major indexes to records all year, once again were able to counter 
weakness elsewhere in the market.

   The S&P 500 rose 31.30 points, or 0.5%, to 6,909.79, surpassing the record 
set earlier in December. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 79.73 points, or 
0.2%, to 48,442.41. The Nasdaq composite rose 133.02 points, or 0.6%, to 
23,561.84.

   Nvidia jumped 3% and was biggest force helping to push the market higher. It 
is among several big tech companies with outsized valuations that tend to have 
more impact on the broader market's direction. Google's parent company, 
Alphabet, rose 1.5%.

   Novo Nordisk jumped 7.3% after U.S. regulators approved a pill version of 
the blockbuster weight-loss drug Wegovy, the first daily oral medication to 
treat obesity.

   Wall Street received the latest economic updates during an otherwise quiet 
holiday-shortened week. Markets in the U.S. will close early Wednesday for 
Christmas Eve and remain closed for Christmas on Thursday.

   The U.S. economy grew at a 4.3% annual rate during the third quarter. That 
builds on 3.8% growth during the second quarter and marks a sharp turnaround 
from the first quarter, when the U.S. economy shrank for the first time in 
three years.

   The latest report also showed that stubborn inflation continues to hover 
over the economy. The Federal Reserve's favored inflation gauge -- called the 
personal consumption expenditures index, or PCE -- climbed to a 2.8% annual 
pace last quarter, up from 2.1% in the second quarter.

   The yield on the 10-year Treasury rose to 4.16% from 4.15% just before the 
report on gross domestic product for the third quarter was released. The yield 
on the two-year Treasury, which more closely tracks expectations for Fed 
actions, rose to 3.53% from 3.49% just prior to the report's release.

   The Fed has been taking a more cautious policy approach amid mixed signals 
from the economy. Economic growth has been occurring at the same time that 
inflation remains stubbornly above the central bank's 2% target. The job market 
is also slowing, adding another layer of concern to whether the central bank 
should continue cutting interest rates.

   On Wednesday, the Labor Department will release its weekly data on 
applications for jobless benefits, which stands as a proxy for U.S. layoffs.

   "The Fed has been balancing off inflation risks versus weakening labor 
markets and today's report further complicates their dilemma," wrote Dominic 
Pappalardo, chief multi-asset strategist at Morningstar Wealth, in a note to 
investors.

   The Fed has cut interest rates three times in 2025 and the central bank's 
rate-setting committee is divided about additional rate cuts in 2026. The 
committee members, at their last meeting, projected a wide range of 
possibilities from holding rates steady to two or more reductions.

   Wall Street expects the Fed to hold rates steady at its upcoming meeting in 
January.

   Consumer spending and confidence has been shaky amid worries about high 
prices, especially with a wide-ranging U.S. trade war that could drive prices 
for many goods even higher.

   The latest update from business group The Conference Board showed that 
consumer confidence fell in December to its lowest level since tariffs were 
rolled out in April. Meanwhile, retail sales have been weakening, with 
consumers growing more cautious.

   Consumers have become more targeted in their buying during the holiday 
shopping season, according to Visa's Consulting and Analytics division. From 
Nov. 1 through Sunday, cash and credit card sales rose 4.2%, which is less than 
the 4.8% increase during the same period a year ago.

   Markets were mixed in Asia and Europe.

   The price of gold continued rising. It rose 0.8% to $4,505.70 per ounce 
Tuesday and is up about 70% for the year.

   Oil prices were relatively stable after jumping a day prior. U.S. benchmark 
crude rose 0.6% to $58.38 per barrel. The price of Brent crude, the 
international standard, rose 0.5% to $62.38 a barrel.

   ___

   Matt Ott and Elaine Kurtenbach contributed to this report.

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