U.S. stocks got off to a rocky start to 2025 on Thursday as the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite declined for a fifth straight day. For both, it was the longest losing streak since April, according to Dow Jones Market Data.

According to Fairlead Strategies founder Katie Stockton, the recent weakness in the stock market flashed a technical "sell" signal.

Every year, investors look forward to the “Santa Claus rally,” a period that encompasses the final five trading days of December and the first two trading days of the new year. Since 1950, the S&P 500 has gained, on average, 1.3% during this stretch, while finishing higher nearly 80% of the time, according to Dow Jones Market Data.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite fell 1.58% while the S&P 500 lost 1.12%. The Dow Jones shed 333 points to end the day.

Indexes rose Thursday to kick off the New Year after four straight days of losses. Tesla stock dropped more than 8% publishing delivery figures.

U.S. stock futures rose on Friday, putting the market on course to pare back its losses from a disappointing start to 2025. Contracts tied to the S&P 500 were up 0.1%. The benchmark index has fallen f