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The S&P 500 ended 2024 up by more than 23%.

The index of large American firms enjoyed a similar rally in 2023.

The past two years marked the best consecutive pair

since 1997 and 1998. Investors' appetite for tech stocks has driven the surge, but financial

innovations also contributed, with exchange-traded funds and private markets firms coming to the four.

Xi Jinping, China's leader, said that he expects the country's GDP to have grown by 5% in 2024 meeting targets.

He promised to deepen reform and implement more proactive macroeconomic policies in the coming year.

China's government has tried to stimulate its sluggish economy, but its efforts have been

tardy, cautious, and ineffective.

Russia launched drone and missile strikes against targets in Ukraine, including in Kiev, the capital.

Earlier, America announced nearly $6 billion in aid to the embattled country, including $2.5 billion

worth of military aid. President Joe Biden said he would work relentlessly to strengthen Ukraine's

position before leaving office

...