Record Highs for U.S. Stocks, Soaring Gold and Lower Yields Cap a Standout 2025

U.S. stock benchmarks ended a shortened Christmas Eve session at record closing levels as major indexes extended strong 2025 gains. Gold hovered just below a new all-time high and remains up sharply for the year, while Treasury yields and the U.S. dollar both drifted lower alongside weakening labor indicators and softer oil prices.