Small caps reach three-year high as U.S. stocks rise for fifth session

U.S. stocks rose for a fifth consecutive session, with the Russell 2000 index of small companies reaching its highest level since 2021. Bitcoin surged past $84,000, and the dollar approached a one-year high as investors reacted to President-elect Donald Trump's agenda. The S&P 500 gained 0.1%, nearing 6,000 points, while the Dow Jones increased by 0.8%. In contrast, the Nasdaq 100 fell by 0.3%. Treasury futures dipped slightly, and oil prices continued to decline amid weak demand forecasts from China. Analysts predict strong corporate earnings growth, with S&P 500 profits up 8.4% in the third quarter. Expectations for next year suggest a 13% increase, the largest since 2021. The market's future performance may depend on bond market behavior and inflation data.