Indexes fell in their first trading day after Christmas as traders hope for a so-called Santa Clause rally to propel markets higher into the new year.

Learn all about the Santa Claus Rally, a seasonal stock market trend with historical significance. Discover why it happens and some tips.

Wall Street is eager for a so-called Santa Claus rally to propel the S&P 500—up about 25% this year through Monday's close—to new highs. According to Wall Street lore, the stock market consistently rises during the final five trading days of the year and the first two sessions of the next. This year, that stretch starts today.

The Nasdaq Composite (NASDAQINDEX: ^IXIC) has advanced 34% year to date, and history says that momentum may carry into 2025. Since its inception in 1971, the Nasdaq has returned at least 20% in 20 years, and at least 30% in 12 years. After a 20%-plus gain in a calendar year: The Nasdaq has returned an average of 17% during the next year.

Asian Shares Are Mostly Higher in Thin Post-Christmas Holiday Trading BANGKOK (AP) — Asian shares were mostly higher Thursday in thin post-Christmas holiday trading, while oil prices rose. Japan's Nikkei 225 index surged 0.

Wall Street's main indexes all closed higher on Tuesday, with gains in megacap and growth stocks bolstering benchmarks in a truncated Christmas Eve session. Both the Dow Jones Industrial Average and Nasdaq Composite scored four straight sessions of gains,

Technology stocks led a broad rally on Wall Street during a holiday-shortened trading session the day before Christmas.

Both the Dow Jones Industrial Average and Nasdaq scored four straight sessions of gains, with the S&P 500 taking its winning streak to three sessions. Lisa Bernhard has more.