Shares of banks and other financial institutions were flat as traders hedged their bets on the sustainability of the fourth-quarter rally in stocks and bonds.

The opening weeks of 2024 are among the weakest for global stock markets in recent years, as central bankers push back on market expectations for a series of rate cuts this year.

The discount stock-trading app Robinhood has agreed to pay $7.5 million and make substantial changes to its operations to settle allegations that Massachusetts regulators brought against the firm for what it called "gamification" of its customer interface.


Write to Rob Curran at rob.curran@dowjones.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

01-18-24 1754ET