Key Economic Events and Corporate Reports for Monday, 29th December 2025. A Macro Economic and Global Stock Market Overview for Investors.
The beginning of the last trading week of December unfolds in a calm manner. Most major exchanges around the world resume trading after the holiday break, yet no apparent drivers for the markets are visible at this time. Investors remain focused on the data from the US housing market: at 17:00 MSK on 29th December, the National Association of Realtors will release its report on pending home sales for November. The corporate sector is largely quiet; the quarterly earnings reporting period has concluded, and no companies within the S&P 500, Euro Stoxx 50, Nikkei 225, or Moscow Exchange are set to announce results on Monday. Overall, global markets are gearing up for a quiet week before the New Year: low liquidity curtails volatility, while participants use this pause to reflect on the year and strategise for the future.
Macro Economic 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 Pending Home Sales for November.
- 13:00 — USA: Baker Hughes Weekly Report on active oil rigs.
Corporate Reporting
Monday does not promise major surprises from corporations. As reported by Kiplinger, "no significant earnings reports are scheduled for publication" on this day. The only exceptions may be small-cap local issuers. For instance, Taiwanese technology firm OBOOK Holdings (NASDAQ: OWLS) has postponed its semi-annual results announcement to a post-market call on 29th December. In both Russia and Europe, there are no significant releases; major corporations have completed their quarterly reports and will present their results in January. Consequently, the news backdrop from the corporate sector remains neutral and does not influence the overall market dynamics.
Global Markets
- USA: American exchanges begin the last shortened week of 2025. Following last week's results, the S&P 500 and NASDAQ remained virtually unchanged – trading before the holidays was sluggish and lacking new trends. On Monday, Wall Street is observing moderate trading activity without sharp price fluctuations.
- Europe: After the holidays, European markets (London, Frankfurt, Paris) are opening in their usual manner. Eurozone exchanges were closed on Friday (Christmas), making this the first active day for most markets following the break. However, significant changes are not expected – 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, while the Shanghai and Hong Kong Exchanges are also open. The broader Asian backdrop is sustained by a "quiet pause" – important data from China will be released later (PMI on 31st December), and current volatility is low.
- Russia and CIS: The Moscow Exchange will conduct a short trading session on 29th December (trading will close before 10:00 MSK). There are no significant releases, and local indices are currently moving within narrow ranges. The rouble remains stable, and volatility in the Russian market is reduced.
Currencies and Commodities
Currency markets have entered a New Year "silence": the dollar remains around recent local extremes against major currencies (euro, yen) without sharp movements. Oil and metal prices are holding steady – trading is taking place against a backdrop of low liquidity, with no major demand or supply drivers present. As a result, currency and commodity fluctuations at the start of the week are limited, and significant shocks are not anticipated at this point.
What Investors Should Pay Attention To
- Monitor forecasts for the last week of the year. Despite the calm, tomorrow evening the "minutes" of the December FOMC meeting will be published, which could shift rate expectations. Additionally, December PMI figures from China will be released on Wednesday – their results may provide momentum for risk assets.
- Utilise this time for portfolio review. The pre-New Year week is an opportune moment to evaluate the year's outcomes, adjust asset allocation, and review strategies for the upcoming 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 in response to minor news. Therefore, it's advisable to set limit orders, reduce risks on new positions where necessary, and avoid overly aggressive trading.
- Maintain a long-term perspective. The lack of movement is merely temporary. As January arrives, a new earnings reporting season will commence, along with important macroeconomic data. The key is to remain invested and not succumb to panic in the face of brief periods of calm.
