US stocks end first session of 2026 higher, Dow Jones adds 320 points

US stocks closed the first session of 2026 in the green, supported by strong performance in semiconductor companies, which offset pressures on the software sector amid ongoing concerns over an artificial intelligence bubble.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.66%, or 319 points, to 48,382, though it declined 0.67% over the week.

The broader S&P 500 gained 0.19%, or 12 points, to 6,858, narrowing its weekly loss to 1%.

Meanwhile, the Nasdaq Composite ended flat at 23,235, posting a 1.52% weekly decline.

In Europe, the Stoxx Europe 600 advanced 0.65% to close at a record 596.14 points, achieving weekly gains of 1.20%.

Germany’s DAX rose 0.20% to 24,539, France’s CAC 40 added about 0.55% to 8,195, while the UK’s FTSE 100 increased 0.20% to 9,951, after surpassing the 10,000-point level for the first time ever during intraday trading.

In Japan, financial markets remained closed for the third consecutive day due to the year-end holiday and are set to resume trading next Monday.

Regarding oil, Brent crude futures for March delivery fell 0.16%, or 10 cents, to $60.75 per barrel, posting a weekly decline of 0.18%.

Meanwhile, US WTI crude futures for February delivery slipped 0.17%, or 10 cents, to $57.32 per barrel, extending weekly losses to 1%.

As for gold, gold futures for February delivery declined 0.26%, or $11.5, to $4,329.60 per ounce, recording a weekly loss of 4.90%.