Key Economic Events and Corporate Reports for Monday, December 29, 2025: A Macro Overview of the U.S., European, Asian, and Russian Financial Markets for Investors
The beginning of the last trading week of December unfolds in a calm manner. Most major exchanges around the world resume operations after the holiday break, but there are currently no apparent drivers for the markets. Investors remain focused on the housing market data in the U.S.: on December 29 at 17:00 MSK, the National Association of Realtors will release its November Pending Home Sales report. The corporate sector is largely silent: the quarterly earnings season concluded earlier, and no companies from the S&P 500, Euro Stoxx 50, Nikkei 225, or Moscow Exchange are scheduled to announce results on Monday. Overall, global markets are preparing for a quiet week ahead of the New Year: low liquidity limits volatility, and participants are using this pause to assess the year’s results and plan new strategies.
Economics Calendar (MSK)
- 08:30 — U.S.: durable goods orders (November), final estimate of Q3 GDP, and corporate profits.
- 09:15 — U.S.: industrial production (November).
- 10:00 — U.S.: Richmond Federal Reserve’s business activity index (December), new home sales (November), and consumer confidence (Michigan).
- 10:00 — U.S.: preliminary expectations for existing home sales (Pending Home Sales) for November.
- 13:00 — U.S.: weekly Baker Hughes report on the number of active oil rigs.
Corporate Earnings Reports
Monday does not promise significant surprises from companies. As reported by Kiplinger, there are "no notable earnings reports scheduled for release on this day." The only exceptions might be local, small-cap issuers. For example, Taiwanese tech company OBOOK Holdings (NASDAQ: OWLS) has postponed its semi-annual results release to an after-hours call on December 29. Similarly, there are no significant releases from Russia and Europe: major corporations have concluded the quarter and will present reports in January. Thus, the news backdrop from the corporate sector remains neutral and does not influence the overall market dynamics.
Global Markets
- U.S.: American exchanges begin the last shortened week of 2025. Last week, the S&P 500 and NASDAQ remained virtually unchanged as trading before the holidays was sluggish and without new trends. On Monday, Wall Street is witnessing moderate trading activity without sharp price fluctuations.
- Europe: After the weekend, European markets (London, Frankfurt, Paris) open in a standard mode. Eurozone exchanges were closed on Friday (Christmas), so for most markets, this is the first active day following the break. Nevertheless, significant changes are not anticipated – the overall sentiment on the continent remains "muted" due to the holidays.
- Asia: In Japan and China, trading continues. The Nikkei 225 begins the week under the influence of a stable yen, while both the Shanghai and Hong Kong exchanges are also open. The overall Asian backdrop is supported by a "quiet respite" – important data from China will be released later (PMI on December 31), and current volatility is low.
- Russia and CIS: The Moscow Exchange will conduct a short trading session on December 29 (trading will conclude before 10:00 MSK). There are no noteworthy releases, and local indices are currently moving within narrow ranges. The ruble remains stable, and volatility in the Russian market is subdued.
Currencies and Commodities
A "New Year’s silence" has settled over the currency markets: the dollar remains around recent local extremes against major currencies (euro, yen) without sharp movements. Oil and metal prices are holding steady – trading occurs in a low liquidity environment, without major drivers of demand or supply. Consequently, currency and commodity fluctuations at the start of the week are limited, and no significant shocks are expected for now.
What Investors Should Pay Attention To
- Monitor the forecast for the last week of the year. Despite the lull, the "minutes" from the December FOMC meeting will be released tomorrow evening, which could alter rate expectations. Additionally, Chinese December PMIs will be released on Wednesday, and their results could provide momentum for risk assets.
- Use this time for portfolio review. The pre-New Year week is an excellent moment to assess the year's results, adjust asset allocation, and check strategies for the next year while volatility is low. Investors from the CIS should pay particular attention to diversification across regions and currencies.
- Be prepared for low liquidity. A thin market increases the likelihood of sharp price gaps even from minor news. Therefore, it’s advisable to set limit orders and, if necessary, reduce risks in new positions while avoiding aggressive trading.
- Maintain a long-term approach. The lack of movements is just temporary. As January arrives, a new earnings season will commence, and important macro data will emerge. The key is to avoid exiting the market entirely and not to succumb to panic due to short-term calm.
