5 things to know before the stock market opens Friday
CNBC••business
Key Points:
- U.S. stock markets ended 2025 with double-digit gains for the third consecutive year, though the Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq are down over 1% this holiday-shortened week, sparking questions about investor sentiment for 2026.
- Warren Buffett has stepped down as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway after six decades, with Greg Abel succeeding him; Buffett remains chairman, but some investors are uncertain about Abel's ability to manage the company's $300 billion equity portfolio.
- The AI industry's expansion in 2025 has transformed U.S. landscapes with large data centers funded by borrowing, raising concerns about a potential AI bubble and bipartisan political scrutiny ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
- Stellantis is reviving its gas
