U.S. stocks pressed higher on Friday after the December jobs report helped quiet concerns about the state of the U.S. labor market.

Let's dig into these important metrics to understand just how frothy the market has become. From there, we'll determine where might be the best place to invest as stocks continue to roar, for now. Image source: .

Here's what you need to know about whether U.S. stock markets will be open or closed on New Year's Eve this year.

The S&P 500 has barely budged since late October. Yet beneath the surface of the U.S. equity market, big shifts have been taking place.

Evidence suggests President Trump's tariffs will ultimately slow economic growth, a particularly concerning prospect because the S&P 500 currently trades at a valuation last seen during the dot-com crash.

Some analysts predicted even better performance in 2026. JPMorgan Wealth Management predicted stock gains next year between 13% and 15%. BNY Wealth estimated the S & P 500 would end 2026 as high as $7,600, which would amount to about a 10% jump from where the index stood on Dec. 23. Morgan Stanley also forecasted an increase in 2026 of 10%.

The push for a congressional stock trading ban is set to reach a critical juncture in the new year. After months of sustained pressure from rank-and-file lawmakers, House Democratic and Republican

Indian equities ended lower on Friday, with the Sensex and Nifty logging a fifth straight session of losses as global trade worries and political uncertainty in Washington dampened investor sentiment.

The company is highly popular among investors thanks to its solid position as a supplier of hardware that underpins AI systems.

Experts have recommended eight stocks to buy today — Ashok Leyland, Ipca Laboratories, Reliance Industries, SAIL, Gujarat Pipavav Port, Ramco Cements, Aarti Pharmalabs, and Asian Paints.