Bloomberg Money Minute: Natural Gas Surges, US Economy Grows, Stocks Hit Record High

Natural Gas Prices Surge

• 📈 Natural gas futures jumped 11% today due to forecasts of brutally cold temperatures expected in the eastern half of the U.S. by the end of the month.
• ⚠️ Consumers from Texas to Maine and the Midwest should prepare for significantly higher heating costs.

US Economic Performance

• 📊 The US economy expanded at a better-than-expected pace of 4.3% in the third quarter, driven primarily by robust consumer spending.
• 📉 Despite positive growth, the Fed's preferred inflation measure showed an unexpected rise, and consumer sentiment has declined for five consecutive months.

Stock Market and Housing Trends

• 🚀 The S&P 500 closed at a fresh all-time high, with the Dow up 80 points and the Nasdaq up 133 points.
• 🏠 US home price growth slowed in November, rising only 2.6% year-over-year, marking the smallest increase in 13 years and falling slightly below the inflation rate.