CNBC Business News Update - Market Close: Stocks Mixed To Start '26, Some Investors Say Take Risk Off The Table, More Tariff Delays 1/2/26

Episode Date: January 2, 2026

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I'm Jessica Eddinger, CNBC. Markets were mixed to start 2026 trading on Friday. The S&P 500 index closed higher for the first trading day of the new year. Chip stocks offering a little boost to the market, but overall it was a losing week that's in the books for the major averages. On Friday, the Dow popped 319 points, a half percent. Boeing shares led the Dow higher. They were up almost 5 percent.

The S&P 500 index added 12. The NASDAQ was down six points. Shares of Nvidia were up a little more than 1% on Friday. Companies whose shares hit fresh all-time highs Friday include Alta Beauty plus Micron Terradine Lamb Research and Jabil. We do start 2026 with a high valuation. We also start it, though, with companies like The Magnificent 7 plus put in Broadcom and expected to show 24% earnings growth this year. So, you know, a bigger percentage of the economy and the market in high-growing tech sectors. So is that justified or not?

I think that's going to be one of the biggest questions. No doubt the bar is higher. That's CNBC's Sarah Eisen. Some investors believe 2026 won't be as strong a year for stocks. I think you should take risk off the table. You've had three fabulous years. That doesn't mean I'm super bearish. It doesn't mean, I think, a major bear market's coming.

But if you've had a great year, take some risk off the table. Whatever form that's going to come to you in. I think that the playbook for this year is going to, is going to be different, and everyone seems to just be riding the same old train. Gilman Hills Jenny Harrington on CNBC. President Trump delaying additional tariffs on a group of goods as Americans cry out over high prices throughout the economy. President Trump spent part of his New Year's Eve delaying tariffs that were set to go into place on New Year's Day on upholstered furniture, kitchen cabinets, and vanities. The move will keep in place a 25% tariff the president imposed in September, but we'll delay a 30% tariff on upholstered furniture and a 50% tariff on cabinets and vanities. CNBC's Aymn Javvers, Tesla with a tough 2025 in the books.

2025 was the second straight year where Tesla reported a drop in annual deliveries. 1.63 million vehicles delivered last year down 8.5% compared to 2024. GM and Ford, they report their Q4 sales on Monday. CNBC's Phil LeBoe, a partial government shutdown looms this month, and government funding talks are set for the coming week. It's certainly a risk, but I do think neither party really wants to relive this. I think the Democrats feel that they got what they needed out of the first shutdown. They have focused the country on health care costs and other affordability issues.

They have a process in place to have a vote on the health care. And the Republicans surely in an election year with their president having a bit more challenges than he had earlier in 25, certainly aren't looking for bumps. Evercores Sarah Bianchi on CNBC. Netflix celebrating a big win for the final episode of the series, Stranger Things, with showings in theaters across the country where it brought in more than $25 million. in ticket sales while it was streaming at homes at the exact same time. On the coming week's watch list, a big report out next Friday. It's a jobs Friday when the Labor Department will release the December jobs numbers.

Investors will see whether the job market continues to weaken. Jessica Eddinger, CNBC. CNBC, live ambitiously.