The Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) closed down 1.11% at $540.99 on December 30, as the S&P 500 index itself fell 1.07% to 5,906.94 amid a broader market sell-off. The decline was largely attributed to profit-taking as investors adjusted their portfolios ahead of the New Year, following a year marked by over 50 record highs. The market's downturn was exacerbated by a spike in Treasury yields, with the 10-year note yield climbing above 4.6%, raising concerns about Federal Reserve rate policies. Major tech stocks, which have been key drivers of the market's gains, also faced pressure, with Apple and Nvidia both declining over 1% in pre-market trading. Trading volumes were light, typical for the final days of the year, contributing to increased volatility.