U.S. equities gave up early gains and turned lower at midday as the markets were wrapping up the final trading day of 2024. The Dow Jones Industrial Average, S&P 500, and Nasdaq were slightly lower.

Moderna (MRNA) was the best-performing stock in the S&P 500 as Barron's called it "too cheap" and named the biotech firm as one of its top 10 picks of 2025.

Shares of Verisign (VRSN) advanced when Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A) increased its stake in the internet domain name provider.

American depositary receipts (ADRs) of Alibaba Group Holding (BABA) rose after the Chinese internet giant's cloud computing unit slashed prices on its artificial intelligence (AI) product that perceives texts and images.

Tesla (TSLA) shares were heading for a four-day losing streak, as investors continued to worry about the likelihood that the electric vehicle (EV) maker's full-year deliveries won't meet the company's expectations.

Shares of Dave (DAVE) tumbled as the online bank changed its fee schedule after the Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against the company following a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) complaint that it was misleading customers.

Sangamo Therapeutics (SGMO) shares lost half their value when the biopharma firm said that Pfizer (PFE) had canceled its agreement to co-develop a hemophilia drug.

Oil and gold futures gained, but after yesterday's big jump, natural gas futures sank. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note was slightly higher. The U.S. dollar climbed against the euro, pound, and yen. Prices for most major cryptocurrencies were higher.