Small Caps Reach All-Time Highs, Nuclear Stocks Surge: Market Movers for Thursday
Market Performance: Small-cap stocks in the Russell 2000 reached record highs as investors anticipated a Federal Reserve rate cut, with a nearly 90% probability assigned to a 25-basis-point reduction next week.
Nuclear Energy Stocks Surge: Following comments from Nvidia's CEO about the importance of nuclear power for AI data centers, nuclear-energy stocks, including the VanEck Uranium and Nuclear ETF, saw significant gains, with individual companies like OKLO Inc. and NuScale Power Corp. also rising sharply.
Earnings Highlights: Dollar General Corp. led the S&P 500 with a 12% increase after strong earnings, while Salesforce Inc. rose nearly 4%. Conversely, Snowflake Inc. and Kroger Co. experienced declines of 11% and 4.4%, respectively.
Cryptocurrency and Commodities: Bitcoin fell 1.2% to $92,400, while gold inched up 0.2% to $4,210 per ounce, continuing its year-to-date rally of 60%.
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- Market Theme Reset: Strong market themes often require a reset before advancing, and nuclear stocks are currently undergoing this phase.
- Nuclear Stocks Movement: The movement of nuclear stocks indicates they are in a transitional period, potentially setting the stage for future growth.
Investment Outlook: Berkshire Hathaway is expected to remain a solid investment even after Warren Buffett steps down as CEO.
Stock Price Concerns: The stock price may decline due to the diminishing prestige associated with the company following Buffett's departure.
Performance Strategy: Investors might consider mirroring the performance of Berkshire's holdings to avoid uncertainties related to the leadership transition.
Transition Impact: The transition period could introduce volatility, affecting investor confidence and stock valuation.

Supreme Court Tariff Decision: The Supreme Court is reviewing a challenge to former President Trump's tariffs, with economic adviser Kevin Hassett expressing confidence in a favorable ruling, while acknowledging potential logistical issues with refunding duties if the decision goes against the administration.
Economic Proposals: Hassett indicated that improving economic conditions may support a proposal for one-time $2,000 rebate checks for Americans, although this idea has not gained significant Republican support in Congress.
Housing Affordability Initiatives: The administration is preparing measures to enhance housing affordability, with plans to present these initiatives to President Trump early next year, as mortgage rates remain significantly higher than in previous years.
Upcoming Strategic Meetings: Hassett mentioned that the administration will be meeting at Mar-a-Lago after Christmas to discuss and finalize plans for the upcoming year, including housing strategies vetted by cabinet secretaries.

Aerospace Sector Outlook: J.P. Morgan anticipates strong support for aerospace and defense stocks through 2026, with commercial aerospace showing significant strength due to robust demand, production backlogs, and growth in global air traffic.
Preferred Stocks: Boeing, StandardAero, and ATI are highlighted as top picks in the aerospace sector, with Boeing expected to see increased cash flow as aircraft deliveries rise, while ATI benefits from diversifying away from Russian titanium.
Defense Sector Nuances: The defense sector outlook is more complex, with rising global military spending but uncertainties due to U.S. political dynamics. J.P. Morgan favors L3Harris Technologies and Leidos for their growth potential and attractive valuations.
Lockheed Martin Downgrade: J.P. Morgan downgraded Lockheed Martin to Neutral, citing concerns over long-term cash flow growth and execution issues, while emphasizing the need for selective investment in the defense sector due to potential risks.









