The S & P 500 finished the year up 16%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq climbed 19%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed out 2025 up 13%. A dip in each of the indexes on Wednesday left markets lower in the year’s final trading session.

Jumping from one holiday week to the next, bond markets will see an early close at 2 p.m. on Dec. 31. Here's what you need to know about the stock market on New Year's Eve, the last day of 2025. Yes, you can trade stocks on Dec. 31, as both of the United States' main stock exchanges will still be open on that day.

In May, Buffett announced plans to retire as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway at the end 2025. Many investors will sorely miss his insights on the economy and stock market, but his recent $184 billion warning will likely echo through the next year: It hints at a stock market decline in 2026.

Wall Street analysts expect growth in both the economy and corporate earnings next year, both of which bode well for stocks.

When Santa comes to town in late December for investors, it's usually a good indicator for the following year.

Communication-services stocks were on pace to be the stock index's top-performing sector in back-to-back years, according to Dow Jones Market Data. It was poised for a roughly 32.9% gain in 2025, while the information-technology sector was up about 24%.

It's been a roller coaster year for the stock market, but the S&P 500 is set to end 2025 up about 17%, the third straight year of double-digit gains.

While the major stock indexes were down, they were on track to book robust gains for the year. As of Tuesday's close, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 13.7% for the year, while the S&P 500 added 17.3%. The Nasdaq has jumped 21.3%.