Key Economic Events and Corporate Reports for Sunday, 28 December 2025: A Global Market Lull, Lack of New Data, and Preparation for Year-End Trading Sessions
Sunday, 28 December 2025, unfolds amidst a complete lull in global financial markets. Following the Christmas holidays and a shortened trading week, global exchanges remain paused: all major venues are closed for the day. No new macroeconomic publications or corporate reports from major companies are anticipated, and investor activity is at a minimum. The absence of fresh drivers means that price dynamics remain neutral, with market participants taking this breather to assess the situation and prepare for the final trading sessions of the year.
Global Markets: A Trading Holiday
All key stock exchanges in the US, Europe, and Asia are closed on 28 December due to the Sunday holiday. American indices, S&P 500 and NASDAQ, wrapped up the previous shortened week with little change: Friday trading on Wall Street was sluggish due to the absence of many participants, and no new price movements took shape before the weekend. European markets are also in pause mode — the exchanges in London, Frankfurt, and other financial centres are not operating, and the Euro Stoxx 50 index will not be updated today. A similar situation prevails in Asia: trading is suspended on the Tokyo (Nikkei 225) and Shanghai exchanges on Sunday. The Russian stock market (Moscow Exchange index) is also closed until the new week begins. The global absence of trading leads to the main index quotes maintaining their levels from the last close, devoid of any new impulses.
Macroeconomic Statistics: No Significant Releases
The international economic calendar for 28 December is virtually empty: government institutions and central banks in major countries are not releasing statistics on a holiday. No significant macroeconomic indicators are scheduled for release in the US, Europe, or Asia, as the festive period is accompanied by a pause in official releases. Investors have nothing new to add to the already known picture: all vital data released earlier in December have already been factored into the market. Consequently, trading participants lack new macro benchmarks, and market sentiment is shaped by prior news and expectations. Only isolated local reports (such as those on industrial production and the banking sector) may appear on this day, but their impact on global markets is negligible.
Corporate Calendar: A Year-End Quiet Period
No corporate reports from major public companies are scheduled for 28 December. The quarterly earnings season concluded earlier in the month, and none of the companies listed in the key indices (S&P 500, Euro Stoxx 50, Nikkei 225, Moscow Exchange index) are releasing financial results on this day. Even in the US, where markets are typically active, large corporations refrain from making announcements during the peak of the holiday break. A limited number of second-tier companies could theoretically release press statements or operational updates, but doing so on a non-trading day is pointless — investors simply will not see them until the markets reopen. Thus, the news backdrop from the corporate sector remains neutral and exerts no influence on market participants' sentiment.
Trading Activity: Low Liquidity and Volatility
The lack of trading sessions and fresh news results in extremely low liquidity in financial markets over this weekend. Thin trading — a situation characterised by minimal transaction volumes — is typical for the end of the week: major players have already exited the market until the new year, and those remaining are not taking active actions. Consequently, the volatility of leading assets is at a reduced level. Stock indices remain confined to narrow ranges, as neither buyers nor sellers are sufficient to effect significant price shifts. This neutral dynamic is due to large investors having realised profits and closed some positions in advance, with no plans for new trades until early January. With trading activity virtually at zero, any sharp price movements seem unlikely.
Currencies and Commodities: Weekend Calm
Currency and commodity markets are also in a state of calm. The international forex market (FOREX) is closed until Monday, thus the exchange rates of major currency pairs (dollar/euro, dollar/yen, etc.) remain around the levels of the last close without new fluctuations. Oil and gold prices, having completed the week with minimal deviations, are not updated over the weekend — trading in oil, metals, and other commodities will resume only with the opening of exchanges at the beginning of the next week. Therefore, external benchmarks for stock markets in terms of commodity and currency quotes remain stable. Neither the dollar nor oil is providing new signals for market participants, maintaining an overall atmosphere of waiting.
Seasonal Factors: Santa Claus Rally and Portfolio Rebalancing
At the end of December, investors traditionally anticipate the 'Santa Claus rally' — a seasonal increase in stock prices amidst low trading volumes. However, in 2025, the conditions for a confident rally are lacking: recent macroeconomic data has been mixed, and many participants are adopting a cautious, wait-and-see stance. In the context of reduced liquidity, strong growth drivers are absent, so a significant price jump in the final trading sessions of the year is not expected.
Another year-end factor is portfolio rebalancing by major institutional players. In the last days of December, funds and investment banks may conduct sales and purchases to align their portfolios with target proportions ahead of year-end reporting. These technical operations may cause isolated movements in individual stocks or sectors at the beginning of the following week but do not lead to long-term trends. Overall, seasonal effects this year are weak, and for most investors, the main strategy remains to maintain current positions until the new year arrives.
What Investors Should Focus On
- Monitor news over the weekend: despite the lull, important global events can occur at any moment. For instance, on Sunday, an overview of opinions from the Bank of Japan regarding its most recent meeting is published, and any geopolitical statements or urgent news that emerged on Saturday or Sunday will only affect the markets after they reopen. Unexpected information could trigger price gaps on Monday morning.
- Use the pause for portfolio analysis: a day off is a suitable time to summarise the year 2025. Investors from the CIS should evaluate the effectiveness of their investments, reassess asset balance, and prepare a strategy for the first weeks of 2026, while new data and reports have yet to create volatility.
- Prepare for the final December sessions: the last trading days of the year (29–31 December) will be marked by reduced activity but may bring local movements. With the onset of the new week, particular market participants will carry out position rebalancing, and by 29 December, the first signs of market direction ahead of the new year may emerge. It is crucial for investors to approach this week well-prepared: exercise caution when opening new trades, set limit orders, and avoid excessive risks in a thin market.
- Maintain a long-term outlook: the pre-New Year lull is temporary. The absence of movements does not equate to a lack of prospects — by January 2026, activity will resume, and a new corporate earnings season will commence alongside the release of important macro statistics. For those adhering to their investment strategy, it is essential not to succumb to a false sense of calm and be prepared for renewed market fluctuations in the new year.
Thus, Sunday, 28 December, progresses under the banner of tranquility and the absence of new market benchmarks. Investors are taking this day for a breather and planning, occasionally glancing at the news backdrop. The final week of the year lies ahead, traditionally calm but requiring attention to detail. A cautious approach and strategic planning will equip market participants with the necessary information and readiness for any market turns as they welcome the new year.
