Economic Events and Corporate Earnings 8

Overview of Key Economic Events and Corporate Reports for the Week of 8-12 December 2025 with Analysis of Their Impact on Global Markets for Investors

During the week of 8 to 12 December 2025, investors worldwide monitored significant economic events and quarterly reports from major companies. Macroeconomic statistics during this period included central bank decisions and the release of key inflation data, influencing the state of the global macroeconomy and sentiment in the stock market. Concurrently, major public companies from the US, Europe, and Asia (including representatives from the S&P 500, Euro Stoxx 50, Nikkei 225, and the Russian MOEX) presented their quarterly reports and annual financial statements. Below is a daily overview of the week's key events and corporate reports, tailored to the needs of investors, analysts, and financial professionals.

Monday, 8 December 2025

Macroeconomic Events

China (Morning MSK): Release of foreign trade data for November. The statistics showed a significant increase in China's trade surplus, indicating strong external resilience of the world's second-largest economy amid global challenges.
Brazil (Day MSK): Release of several economic indicators, including industrial production and inflation data, signalling the current state of the largest economy in Latin America.
No other significant macroeconomic publications were scheduled for this day.

Corporate Reports

Toll Brothers (USA): The largest luxury home builder published its financial report for the fourth quarter. Investors noted an increase in revenue and profit, driven by sustained demand for premium housing. The positive results from Toll Brothers bolstered optimism in the housing construction sector.
Compass Minerals (USA): The minerals producer reported its quarterly results. The company posted moderate revenue growth, but investors carefully evaluated the outlook for commodity demand against fluctuating prices.
Phreesia (USA): The healthcare solutions provider presented quarterly results with zero earnings per share, in line with expectations. The results indicate business stability, but further investment will depend on revenue trends in upcoming reporting periods.

Tuesday, 9 December 2025

Macroeconomic Events

03:30 MSK - Australia: Meeting of the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) and interest rate decision. The RBA maintained rates at 3.60%, consistent with expectations. In the accompanying statement, the regulator noted that inflation remained stable within the target range, signalling a wait-and-see approach regarding further monetary easing.
12:00 MSK - Eurozone: Release of preliminary consumer price index data. The preliminary inflation estimate for the Eurozone showed a slowdown in price growth, attracting attention from investors in the European stock market and potentially impacting upcoming decisions by the European Central Bank.
17:00 MSK - China: Release of producer price index (PPI) and consumer price index (CPI) data for November. The dynamics of Chinese inflation remained subdued: the CPI indicated low price growth, while the PPI confirmed ongoing deflationary trends at the producer level. These economic events in China are significant for Asian markets and commodity prices.

Corporate Reports

AutoZone (USA): The largest automotive parts retailer (S&P 500 index) published its report for the first financial quarter. AutoZone's sales increased, particularly in the segment serving ageing vehicle fleets. Despite a slight decline in profit, adjusted metrics indicate sustained demand: comparable sales increased, and store expansion continues, positively assessed in the context of investments in the auto components sector.
Campbell Soup Company (USA): The American food conglomerate presented results for the past quarter. The producer of well-known food brands reported stable revenue and confirmed its yearly forecast, indicating ongoing consumer market demand.
GameStop (USA): The well-known video game retailer and "meme stock" reported quarterly results. GameStop's revenue significantly increased (+22% year-on-year) to approximately $972 million due to successful sales of new gaming equipment (including the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2). Although the company remains unprofitable, investors noted improvements in margin and the new management's plans for business model transformation.
Casey’s General Stores (USA): The operator of a chain of convenience stores and gas stations reported increased fuel sales and related products. Casey’s financial results confirmed the trend of recovering consumer activity in regions across the USA.
Ferguson PLC (UK/USA): The international distributor of engineering equipment (included in the FTSE 100 and S&P 500 indices) published financial results reflecting quarter-on-quarter revenue growth in North America. Investors received the report positively as it signals stable demand for construction and repair products.

Wednesday, 10 December 2025

Macroeconomic Events

04:30 MSK - China: Consumer Price Index (CPI) for November. Annual inflation in China remained close to zero, indicating weak domestic price growth. Low CPI and PPI figures (published the previous day) suggest a lack of price pressure, which may prompt the People's Bank of China to maintain a soft policy and support the economy with stimulus measures.
17:45 MSK - Canada: Meeting of the Bank of Canada and interest rate decision. The regulator kept the rate at 2.25%, as expected by the market. In the accompanying statement, the Bank of Canada highlighted a slowdown in growth and moderate easing of inflation, indicating the need for a balance between supporting the economy and controlling prices. The Canadian dollar reacted with slight strengthening given the absence of signals for further rate cuts.
22:00 MSK - USA: Decision by the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) on the key interest rate. **The Fed, following a two-day meeting, lowered the rate by 0.25%**, as widely anticipated, to the range of 5.25-5.50%. In comments, the FOMC noted a slowdown in inflation in the USA; however, Chairman Jerome Powell emphasised during the press conference (22:30 MSK) that the easing cycle will depend on further macro data. This key event of the week caused heightened volatility in global markets: the US dollar index briefly declined, while stock indices, including the S&P 500, reacted with gains on hopes for a softer monetary policy.

Corporate Reports

Adobe (USA): One of the leaders in the software sector (S&P 500 index) published financial results for the fourth quarter of the financial year. Adobe presented strong revenue growth from subscriptions to its cloud services, exceeding analysts' forecasts. Investors highly appreciated the double-digit growth in the digital media segment and the positive outlook for the following year, which solidified the company’s stock positions.
Oracle (USA): The largest player in the corporate IT solutions sector reported second financial quarter results. Oracle recorded an increase in profit and cloud revenue, driven by rising demand for cloud services and database products. Oracle's report was one of the most anticipated of the week, with its strong performance supporting the upward trend of technology stocks in the US market.
Synopsys (USA): A developer of software for chip design presented its annual report. Synopsys demonstrated revenue growth thanks to increased orders from semiconductor manufacturers. The results indicate sustained investment in new chips by the technology sector, which is crucial for long-term investments in the high-tech industry.
Nordson (USA): An engineering and industrial company (supplier of dispensing and coating equipment) released its report for the fourth quarter. Despite a slight decline in year-on-year sales, Nordson's profits exceeded expectations due to improved operational efficiency. This reflects the company's flexibility amid fluctuations in industrial demand.
Oxford Industries (USA): A fashion house (owner of brands including Tommy Bahama) reported quarterly results with sales growth. Pre-season sales of clothing during the holiday period proved particularly successful, improving the company's outlook for the final quarter of the year.
Chewy (USA): An online pet goods retailer reported before the market opened. Chewy announced revenue growth driven by an increase in active customers and average ticket size. While growth rates have slightly slowed, the company maintains a strong market share, and investors are monitoring profitability indicators amid heightened e-commerce competition.

Thursday, 11 December 2025

Macroeconomic Events

03:30 MSK - Australia: Labour market report (employment and unemployment rates for November). According to the published data, the unemployment rate in Australia remained at minimal levels (around 4.3%), and employment continued to grow. This indicates resilience in the labour market, supporting the national economy. The Australian dollar reacted with strengthening as strong data reduces the likelihood of an imminent RBA rate cut.
11:30 MSK - Switzerland: Meeting of the Swiss National Bank (SNB). The regulator unsurprisingly kept the interest rate at 0.0% following a series of cuts earlier in the year. The SNB emphasised its readiness to intervene in the currency market to contain excessive appreciation of the franc if necessary. At a press conference (12:00 MSK), SNB management reaffirmed its commitment to a soft monetary policy, which slightly weakened the Swiss franc in the currency market.
16:30 MSK - USA: Producer Price Index (PPI) for November. The PPI dynamics in the USA were moderate (+0.2% month-on-month), indicating weakened inflationary pressure at the production level. This indicator, serving as a leading inflation indicator, supports expectations of slowing consumer price growth. The news was positively received by the US stock market as it reduces the likelihood of aggressive actions by the Fed.

Corporate Reports

Broadcom (USA): One of the largest global semiconductor manufacturers (S&P 500 index) reported after market close. Broadcom demonstrated strong financial results for the fourth quarter: revenue and profit exceeded forecasts thanks to high demand for chips for data centres and networking equipment. Additionally, the company announced an optimistic outlook for the coming year, considering the growth of investments in artificial intelligence infrastructure. This news elicited a positive response from investors and a rise in Broadcom’s shares.
Lululemon Athletica (USA): The Canadian-American sportswear manufacturer (Nasdaq-100 index) presented its report for the third quarter. Lululemon reported double-digit sales growth both in retail stores and online, particularly noting success in the men’s apparel and accessories segment. Profitability also improved. The successful reporting results of the company underscored the resilience of premium consumer demand, positively impacting retail sector quotations.
Costco Wholesale (USA): The largest operator of retail club stores (S&P 500 index) published its financial results for the first quarter of its 2026 financial year. Costco recorded growth in comparable sales, especially in the grocery category, despite the challenging inflationary environment. The number of membership card holders increased, indicating customer loyalty. Investors received the report neutrally, noting stability in the business while awaiting data on holiday sales in the next reporting period.
Ciena (USA): Telecommunications equipment supplier reported its quarterly results ahead of the market opening. Ciena demonstrated profit growth and an expansion of new orders for fibre optic equipment, driven by telecom operators' investments in network upgrades. Positive results from Ciena strengthened confidence in the telecommunications industry's prospects.
RH (Restoration Hardware, USA): The American premier home goods retailer published its report, showing a slight decline in revenue amid weaker demand for the luxury furniture segment. However, RH's profits exceeded expectations due to cost reductions, which somewhat reassured investors regarding the state of the home goods sector.

Friday, 12 December 2025

Macroeconomic Events

10:00 MSK - Germany: Final estimate of the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) for November. According to the final data, inflation in the largest economy in Europe was 3.2% year-on-year, consistent with the preliminary estimate. The moderate slowdown in inflation in Germany confirms the trend of decreasing price pressure in the Eurozone, thereby influencing ECB policy expectations.
18:00 MSK - USA: Preliminary Consumer Confidence Index by the University of Michigan for December. The consumer sentiment index rose slightly (to ~53.3 points from 51.0 in November), indicating cautious optimism among American households. However, the index remains at historically low levels, reflecting sustained consumer caution. Market reactions were subdued as the improvement in the index was anticipated and falls within the margins of statistical error.
No other significant macroeconomic events were noted on this day, with markets turning their attention to the week's outcomes.

Corporate Reports

Johnson Outdoors (USA): The manufacturer of outdoor products published quarterly results before the market opened. The company reported an increase in sales of travel and fishing gear, reflecting ongoing consumer interest in outdoor recreation. At the same time, production costs rose, slightly squeezing margins, but the overall tone of the report remained positive for investors.
Mitek Systems (USA): The developer of digital identification solutions presented its financial report. Mitek's revenue grew due to the expansion of its client base among banks and financial organisations implementing remote identification. Investors appreciated the company’s prospects in the context of rising demand for cybersecurity and fintech technologies.
Reports from Russian Issuers: Several companies in Russia also released financial results this week. For example, CIAN Group (MOEX: CIAN) published its report for Q3 and the first nine months of 2025, demonstrating a 45% year-on-year growth in net profit and a significant increase in revenue from online real estate services. Additionally, Aeroflot reported its IFRS statement for the first nine months of 2025, with the national airline’s net profit nearly doubling compared to the previous year due to recovering passenger traffic. These local results complemented the week's picture on the MOEX market and were taken into account by investors in the Russian stock market.

Conclusion: Key Takeaways from the Week

The week from 8 to 12 December 2025 proved to be rich in both macroeconomic events and corporate financial reports. The main event was the long-awaited Federal Reserve interest rate decision: the 0.25% reduction and cautious comments set a positive tone for the stock markets (the S&P 500 index ended the week up). In Europe and Asia, investors also focused on central bank decisions (SNB, RBA) and inflation data, which collectively point to a trend of slowing price growth and easing monetary policy. Among corporate reports, the notable results were those from technology giants and retailers: the strong quarterly performances of Broadcom, Oracle, and Lululemon highlighted the resilience of demand in their respective sectors. At the same time, improved financial metrics from several consumer sector companies (such as Costco and AutoZone) indicate sustained purchasing activity. Investors should pay special attention to signals emanating from the macroeconomic landscape (inflation and central bank policies), as well as company forecasts for the next quarter. These factors will dictate the future trajectory of global markets and aid in recalibrating investments in anticipation of the new year.