U.S. stocks finished the final trading session of 2025 slightly lower, but major indexes still recorded strong gains for the year amid economic resilience and easing inflation.
Federal Reserve bond purchases and record usage of its overnight repo facility helped keep U.S. funding markets stable through year-end pressures.
After a record number of $10 billion-plus transactions in 2025, Wall Street bankers and investors are preparing for another potential surge in mega-deals in 2026.
U.S. penalties for money laundering and other financial crimes fell sharply in 2025, declining 61% as enforcement efforts eased under policies associated with Donald Trump.
Heavy investment in artificial intelligence, resilient corporate earnings, and expected Federal Reserve rate cuts are shaping investor optimism for U.S. stocks in 2026.