The Santa Claus rally refers to a seasonal tendency for the S&P 500 to rise over the last five days trading days of a calendar year and the first two of the new year. U.S. stocks pared early losses on Thursday, with the Dow wavering in and out of positive territory in recent trade.

According to the latest Labor Department data, weekly jobless claims fell to 219,000 compared with expectations of 223,000. However continuing claims pointed to a cooling labor market, jumping by 46,000 in the week ending Dec. 14 to 1.91 million, the highest level since November 2021.

Investors became gloomy on Friday, threatening to derail a long winning streak for stocks, as inflation remained high.