Asian shares are mixed after the U.S. stock market again approached its record high following the Federal Reserve’s cut in its main interest rate.

Wall Street forecasters expect the stock market to grind higher in 2026 as earnings grow, the Fed cuts rates, and the US avoids a recession.

The valuations of some artificial intelligence companies are approaching those of the dot-com boom. But investors worry that pulling money from today’s market risks future gains.

Wall Street's "fear gauge" was rising on Wednesday ahead of the Federal Reserve's final rate decision of the year. The Cboe Volatility Index, or "VIX," was up 2.6% to 17.34, according to FactSet. The index is a gauge of expected volatility in the the stock market over a 30-day time horizon.

If things seem too good to be true on Wall Street, history shows they probably are.

NEW YORK (AP) — The U.S. stock market rose to the edge of its all-time high on Friday. The S&P 500 added 0.2% and finished just 0.3% shy of its record closing level, which was set in October. It had briefly topped the mark during the day, before paring its gain.

Exxon Mobil was one of the strongest forces lifting the market. It climbed 2.5% after increasing its forecast for profit over the next five years, thanks in part to strength for its fields in the Permian basin in the United States and off Guyana’s shore.

Almost everything in your 401(k) should be coming up a winner now.

Just a few weeks ago, the stock market stumbled over fears that artificial intelligence stocks might be in a bubble. Now stocks are back within reach of a record high.

It's December 1, which means it's time to start thinking about the year ahead for stocks.

The U.S. stock market held near its records in a quiet day of trading

The Federal Reserve left the door open to more rate cuts in a growing economy and that reawakened enthusiasm on Wall Street, taking stocks higher. The S&P 500 rose 0.7%. The Dow rose 498 points, or 1.