1. China’s Manufacturing Sector: Slower Expansion in December
China’s manufacturing sector grew for the third consecutive month in December, with a Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) of 50.1—just above the threshold for expansion but below November’s 50.3.
Key insights:
- Economic Stimulus: Beijing remains committed to proactive fiscal measures and moderately looser monetary policies in 2025 to counteract tariffs and support growth.
- Non-Manufacturing Growth: The non-manufacturing PMI rose to 52.2, signaling robust growth beyond the industrial sector.
- GDP Outlook: President Xi Jinping projects a 5% growth rate for China’s economy in 2024.
For long-term plays, BABA and BIDU look like strong holds as China ramps up economic support.
2. Wall Street: A Year of Gains Amid Profit-Taking
US stock futures edged lower early Tuesday, reflecting thin trading volumes as investors wrap up a stellar year:
- S&P 500: Up 24% in 2024.
- Dow Jones Industrial Average: Gained 13%.
- Nasdaq Composite: Soared 30%.
Markets have thrived on the Federal Reserve’s aggressive rate adjustments and optimism around President-elect Donald Trump’s deregulation and tax-cut promises. However, uncertainties around future trade policies remain.
3. Bitcoin: A Year of Highs and Soft Endings
Bitcoin edged up 0.5% to $94,297 on Tuesday but is on track for a 4% weekly loss. Still, 2024 was a massive year for the cryptocurrency, which posted a 120% annual gain after hitting an all-time high of over $100,000 in November.
Key drivers:
- Crypto ETFs: The SEC’s approval of spot Bitcoin ETFs earlier this year brought broader appeal.
- Regulatory Optimism: Analysts expect President-elect Trump’s administration to take a crypto-friendly stance.
- 2025 Outlook: Experts predict Bitcoin could double in value to $200,000, with continued momentum in the sector.
4. Gold: A Stellar Year for the Precious Metal
Gold prices edged higher Tuesday, with spot gold up 0.4% to $2,615.85 per ounce. The yellow metal is up over 25% for the year, driven by the Federal Reserve’s rate cuts and heightened geopolitical tensions.
Looking ahead, 2025 could bring fresh catalysts as investors await key US economic data and tariff policies from the incoming administration.
5. Oil: Modest Gains as Chinese Manufacturing Supports Demand
Crude oil prices rose Tuesday, with WTI futures up 0.8% to $71.53 per barrel and Brent crude gaining 0.7% to $74.48.
- Demand Uncertainty: China’s economic recovery remains critical for global oil demand, even as oversupply concerns linger.
- 2024 Recap: WTI ended the year flat, while Brent is set to post a 3% annual loss.
6. Big Wins in the OptionsPlayers Community
Our UNG chat play a few weeks ago delivered massive results yesterday, soaring 20% and turning options plays into 5x gains or more! Meanwhile, alert plays continue to stack up profits alongside the chat’s collective success.
Notable Updates
- Gorilla Technology Group (NASDAQ: GRRR): Secured two key contracts in Taiwan, strengthening its AI solutions for law enforcement and telecoms.
- UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH): Fourth-quarter and full-year 2024 results will be released on January 16, 2025, with a webcast scheduled at 8:45 a.m. ET.
As 2024 comes to a close, we’re looking ahead to more opportunities in the new year. Keep stacking gains and join us in the chat for today’s news, upgrades, and more actionable plays. See you in 2025!
Happy New Year from the OptionsPlayers team!
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