U.S. Stock Indices Set New Records

While at the beginning of December the New York stock indices reached a new record, this trend has continued, and on Friday, December 26, it achieved further progress, reaching unprecedented levels in some cases. The "Dow Jones" increased by 0.1% to 18,053.71, marking an all-time high. The "Standard and Poor's 500" also rose by 0.3% to 2,088.77. Just five days earlier, the Dow Jones had set a new record. This increase has continued daily since then. The rise in indices since December 2 coincides with U.S. government estimates indicating a 5% growth in the country's economy in the third quarter of the year, the highest rate in 11 years. Reuters reported that the recent report has strengthened the outlook for a 4.3% growth in the U.S. for this year. AFP also quoted analysts stating that the publication of this report has led to advancements in stock indices. Nonetheless, some concerns have been raised about the upcoming year and the potential for fluctuations in stock markets. Hugh Johnson, president of the Hugh Johnson Advisory, described recent economic problems in Russia as a potentially influential factor on global markets. Johnson stated, "It is hard to imagine that Russia's economic problems will not spill over to other parts of the world." Other influencing factors on stock markets in the coming year include a potential increase in interest rates by the Federal Reserve and the impacts of falling oil prices in producing regions in the United States.