Dow Continues 3-Day High Amid AI Pressure; Fed Rate Outlook Shifts in Light of Weaker Retail Sales

U.S. major indices posted mixed performances as the Dow Jones closed its third consecutive record high despite疲弱 retail sales. The Dow gained 52.27 points (0.10%) to 50,188.14; Nasdaq fell 136.196 points (0.59%) to 23,102.474; S&P 500 lost 23.01 points (0.33%) to 6,941.81. The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index rose 55.447 points (0.68%) to 8,107.133; the NYSE FANG+ Index declined 93.83 points (0.63%) to 14,772.50. Retail sales for December 2025 showed nearly持平, below the 0.6% monthly gain in November and below expectations of 0.4%, signaling a tail-off in holiday shopping.疲弱 data deepen concerns about economic softening and increase the likelihood of a Fed rate cut in June. Over 75% of traders now expect a 25-basis-point reduction at the June meeting. The Cleveland Fed president, Beth Hammack, stated current policy is appropriate with interest rates likely to remain unchanged for an extended period, though inflation may stay near 3% for much of 2026. Gold briefly touched $5,000 an ounce before回落; Bitcoin declined to below $69,000 amid rising risk-off sentiment.