Key Economic Events and Corporate Reports for Monday, December 29, 2025. A Macro Overview of the US, European, Asian, and Russian Stock Markets for Investors.
The final trading week of December begins quietly. Most major exchanges globally are resuming activities after the holiday break, but no immediate market drivers are in sight. Investors remain focused on the US housing market: on December 29 at 17:00 MSK, the National Association of Realtors will release its report on pending home sales for November. The corporate sector is largely silent: the earnings reporting season has concluded earlier, and no companies within the S&P 500, Euro Stoxx 50, Nikkei 225, or Moscow Exchange are announcing results on Monday. Overall, global markets are preparing for a quiet week leading up to the New Year: low liquidity limits volatility, and participants are taking the opportunity to review the year and plan new strategies.
Macroeconomic Calendar (MSK)
- 08:30 — USA: Durable Goods Orders data (November), final GDP estimate for Q3, and corporate profits.
- 09:15 — USA: Industrial Production data for November.
- 10:00 — USA: Richmond Fed Business Activity Index (December), New Home Sales (November), and Consumer Confidence (Michigan).
- 10:00 — USA: Preliminary expectations for sales of already concluded home sales (Pending Home Sales) for November.
- 13:00 — USA: Weekly Baker Hughes report on the number of active drilling rigs.
Corporate Reporting
Monday does not promise significant surprises from companies. As reported by Kiplinger, no notable earnings reports are scheduled for publication on this day. The only exceptions may be local, small-cap issuers. For instance, Taiwanese technology company OBOOK Holdings (NASDAQ: OWLS) has postponed the release of its semi-annual results to a post-market call on December 29. In Russia and Europe, there are also no significant releases: major corporations have concluded their quarters and will present reports next January. Thus, the news flow from the corporate sector remains neutral and has no impact on the overall market dynamics.
Global Markets
- USA: American exchanges are entering the last shortened week of 2025. Following last week, the S&P 500 and NASDAQ remained virtually unchanged – trading before the holidays was sluggish and lacked new trends. On Monday, Wall Street is experiencing moderate trading activity without sharp price fluctuations.
- Europe: After the weekend, European markets (London, Frankfurt, Paris) are opening in a usual mode. Eurozone exchanges stood still on Friday (Christmas), so for most markets, this is the first active day after the pause. Nevertheless, major changes are not anticipated – the overall sentiment on the continent remains "muted" due to the holidays.
- Asia: Trading continues in Japan and China. The Nikkei 225 begins the week influenced by a stable yen, and the Shanghai and Hong Kong exchanges are also open. The overall Asian backdrop is supported by a "quiet intermission" – important data for 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 significant releases, and local indices are currently moving within narrow ranges. The ruble is stable, and volatility in the Russian market is reduced.
Currencies and Commodities
In currency markets, a New Year “calm” has arrived: the dollar remains near recent local extremes against major currencies (euro, yen) without significant movements. Oil and metal prices remain stable – trading is occurring in a low liquidity environment, absent of major demand or supply drivers. Thus, exchange rate and commodity fluctuations at the start of the week are limited, and substantial shocks are not expected at this time.
What Investors Should Pay Attention To
- Monitor forecasts for the last week of the year. Despite the calm, "minutes" from the December FOMC meeting will be published tomorrow evening, which could shift rate expectations. Additionally, December PMI data for China will be released on Wednesday – results may provide momentum for risk assets.
- Use this time for portfolio review. The pre-New Year week is a good moment to evaluate the year's outcomes, adjust asset allocation, and review strategy for the upcoming year while volatility is low. Investors from the CIS should pay special 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 is advisable to place limit orders, reduce risks on new positions if necessary, and avoid overly aggressive trading.
- Maintain a long-term perspective. The lack of movements is merely temporary. Once January arrives, a new earnings reporting season will commence, and important macro data will emerge. The key is not to exit the market completely and to resist succumbing to panic due to short-lived calm.
