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Tuesday in Times Square, New York City.
Angela Weiss / AFP via Getty Images
We are almost there: 2020 is almost in the books. Last year will probably be unforgettable, albeit mostly for the wrong reasons. The Covid-19 pandemic has affected all aspects of life.
Small businesses, forced to close and limit the ability to curb the spread of the virus, have been attacked. The same goes for travel and leisure companies, as well as movie theaters and other live event companies.
For investors, the last twelve months included a stock record, followed by a bear market, after another record. A lot went through the middle, including billions of dollars in government aid and the historic intervention of the Federal Reserve. Meanwhile, e-commerce actions, technology companies that facilitate work from home, and home entertainment actions have thrived.
For now, investors will get a much-needed break for New Year’s Day.
Are the markets open on New Year’s Eve 2020? Are they closed on New Year’s Day 2021?
The New York Stock Exchange and the Nasdaq are open for New Year’s Eve, but will close on January 1st. The same goes for over-the-counter U.S. markets. US bond markets will close at 2pm on December 31st and all day on New Year’s Day.
Will international markets close on New Year’s Eve? How about New Year’s Day?
The Toronto Stock Exchange will close at 1pm (EST) on New Year’s Eve and January 1st. The London Stock Exchange will close at 12:30 GMT on New Year’s Eve.
The Hong Kong Stock Exchange will close at noon, local time on New Year’s Eve, and close on January 1st. The Shanghai Stock Exchange will be open on December 31, but will close on January 1. The Tokyo Stock Exchange will close on both days.
What should I expect next year?
The last twelve months have shown that, if more evidence is needed, there are many things that cannot be predicted. Investors look forward to the new year with some optimism, based on the hope that vaccines could end the pandemic.
Earlier this month, De Barron published our annual survey of market strategists and investment managers of large banks and money management companies. All ten experts have S&P 500 forecasts for the end of 2021 ranging from 3,800 to 4,400. The average implicit gain is 9% or 10% to 11% when expected dividends are included.
Looking at the actions, De Barron highlighted
Berkshire Hathaway
(BRK. B), the father or mother of Google
Alphabet
(GOOGL),
apple
(AAPL),
Coca Cola
(KO),
Merck
(MRK),
Goldman Sachs Group
(GS), i
Newmont
(NO).
At the close of Wednesday, the
S&P 500
the index had risen 15.5%, to 3732.04 in 2020. Here we expect 2021 to be happier and healthier.
Write to Connor Smith to [email protected]