New York Stock Market's First Day in 2026 sees Fluctuations and Volatility... AI and Semiconductor Strengths Lead to Divergent Opening Trends

The New York stock market has exhibited strong volatility since the first trading day of 2026, opening with an unstable trend. Although some indices started with a rebound, following the decline of the previous trading day, high-level pressure and profit-taking selling continued to emerge, leading to a pattern of fluctuations.

As of 10:17 a.m. local time on January 2, the Dow Jones Industrial Average decreased by 37.54 points (0.08%) to 48,025.75 points. On the other hand, the S&P 500 index rose by 16.49 points (0.24%) to 6,861.99 points; the Nasdaq Composite increased by 111.83 points (0.48%) to 23,353.82 points, showing strong performance. However, intra-day movements remained unstable, with gains narrowing or turning into declines repeatedly.

Previously, the New York stock market had fallen for four consecutive trading days, dampening investor sentiment. As a result, some investors began to buy on dips, pushing the market to rebound in the early session. However, analysts believe that concerns over recent stock price increases still persist, preventing the rally from continuing. Especially for the Nasdaq index, which is mainly composed of tech stocks, it surged over 1% after opening but then faced heavy selling, causing gains to narrow. The S&P 500 showed a similar trend.

One of the uncertain factors surrounding this market performance is ongoing doubts about the sustainability of artificial intelligence themes. Although AI technology, represented by ChatGPT, has gained attention and led the stock market since late 2023, the so-called “AI bubble theory” remains a warning. With investors still searching for the next upward momentum, there appears to be increased caution toward existing high-valued stocks and thematic stocks.

Nevertheless, AI and semiconductor-related stocks remain relatively strong. The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index soared over 3%, with major semiconductor stocks such as Nvidia, Broadcom, TSMC, and AMD also rising. Some stocks gained more than 7%, becoming the core drivers of the market rebound. This is interpreted as, despite volatility in tech stocks, market expectations for the semiconductor industry’s prosperity still exist.

Another market variable is the recent release of US economic indicators. According to S&P Global data, the December 2025 manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) was 51.8, slightly above the market expectation of 51.7. This can be seen as a sign that manufacturing is entering an expansion phase, somewhat alleviating concerns about economic slowdown.

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump’s temporary tariff relief measures on certain household goods also boosted related industry stocks. High-end furniture companies RH and Williams-Sonoma, as well as online furniture retailer Wayfair, all surged 3% to 6% in the early session. European stock markets also generally rose on the same day, indicating that global investor sentiment has not significantly diminished.

This trend is likely to evolve in the short term into a tug-of-war between cyclical gains driven by tech stocks and profit-taking sell-offs. Especially with the release of major economic indicators and the Federal Reserve’s interest rate policies, the future direction of the stock market may remain unpredictable, requiring investors to stay vigilant.