Traders were busy on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on November 26, 2025, as the Thanksgiving spirit began to infuse the markets ahead of the holiday. The S&P 500, Dow Jones Industrial Average, and Nasdaq Composite all recorded positive gains for the fourth consecutive day, suggesting a healthy market amidst the holiday festivities.
Notably, shares of Oracle showed significant improvement, climbing approximately 4% after Deutsche Bank highlighted that the recent downturn in the stock presented an attractive entry point for potential investors. The tech sector also saw gains, with stocks like Nvidia and Microsoft rising in tandem, further reflecting a positive sentiment in technology and AI-related markets.
Eric Diton, president and managing director at The Wealth Alliance, remarked, “Thanksgiving week is generally a strong week in the markets. Everyone’s feeling good.” However, there are concerns about the market’s performance post-Thanksgiving. Current market forecasts suggest an 85% likelihood that the U.S. Federal Reserve will reduce interest rates by a quarter point in December. Such high expectations increase the risk of disappointment if the Fed’s actions do not align with market predictions.
“If the Fed disappoints, you could have a sell-off,” Diton cautioned, while also expressing optimism that such an outcome may not occur. Additionally, speculation surrounds the potential appointment of Kevin Hassett as the new Fed chair, which could steer rates even lower in the future, as suggested by Bank of America economist Aditya Bhave.
A more accommodating monetary policy typically provides greater support for the stock market, contributing to optimistic forecasts for the S&P 500. Projections for the index by the end of 2026 range from 7,400 by CFRA Chief Investment Strategist Sam Stovall to as high as 8,000 from JPMorgan.
In essence, investors are embracing a sense of gratitude in 2025, buoyed by positive market trends and the potential for further growth in the upcoming year. This optimism reflects the resilience of the markets and the continued confidence that investors place in the economic outlook.