Key Economic Events and Corporate Reports for Sunday, December 28, 2025: A Global Pause in the Markets, Lack of New Data, and Preparations for Year-End Trading Sessions.
Sunday, December 28, 2025, sees a complete lull in global financial markets. Following the Christmas holidays and a shortened trading week, global exchanges continue their pause: all major markets are closed for the holiday. No new macroeconomic releases or corporate earnings reports from major companies are expected, leading to minimal investor activity. The absence of fresh drivers means that price dynamics remain neutral, and market participants take this breather to assess the situation and prepare for the final trading sessions of the year.
Global Markets: A Holiday Without Trading
All key stock exchanges in the US, Europe, and Asia remain closed on December 28 due to the holiday (Sunday). The American indexes S&P 500 and NASDAQ ended the previous shortened week with no significant changes: Friday trading on Wall Street was sluggish due to the lack of many participants, and no new price movements were established before the holiday. European markets are also in pause mode—exchanges in London, Frankfurt, and other financial centers are not operating, and the pan-European index Euro Stoxx 50 is not updating today. In Asia, the situation is similar: trading on the Tokyo (Nikkei 225) and Shanghai exchanges is not taking place on Sunday. The Russian stock market (MOEX Index) is also closed until the beginning of the new week. The global absence of trading results in key index quotes remaining at the levels of the previous close, with no new impulses.
Macroeconomic Statistics: No Significant Publications
The international economic calendar for December 28 is essentially empty: government agencies and central banks of major countries are not releasing statistics on the holiday. Neither the US, nor European or Asian countries have scheduled the release of significant macroeconomic indicators, as the holiday period is accompanied by a pause in official releases. Investors have nothing to add to the already known picture— all important data released earlier in December has been accounted for by the market. Thus, traders have no new macro benchmarks, and market sentiments are shaped by previous news and expectations. Only a few local reports (such as those on industrial production and the banking sector) may appear on this day, but their influence on global markets is negligible.
Corporate Calendar: A Year-End Calm
No corporate earnings reports from major public companies are scheduled for December 28. The quarterly reporting season concluded earlier in the month, and none of the companies within the key indexes (S&P 500, Euro Stoxx 50, Nikkei 225, MOEX Index) are releasing financial results on this day. Even in the US, where markets are typically active, large corporations avoid making announcements during the peak of the holiday season. A small number of second-tier companies could, in theory, issue press releases or operational updates, but doing so on a non-trading day is impractical—the investors simply wouldn’t see them until the markets reopen. Consequently, the news backdrop from the corporate sector remains neutral and has no impact on market participants’ sentiments.
Trading Activity: Low Liquidity and Volatility
The absence of trading sessions and fresh news leads to extremely low liquidity in the financial markets this holiday weekend. "Thin" trading—when transaction volumes are minimal—characterizes the end of the week: major players have largely exited the market ahead of New Year, and those remaining are not taking active actions. As a result, the volatility of leading assets is at a lower level. Equity indexes are holding within narrow ranges, as neither buyers nor sellers are present in sufficient numbers to cause significant price shifts. This neutral dynamic is caused by large investors having locked in profits and closed some positions early, with no plans for new trades until January. With virtually zero trading activity, any sharp price movements are unlikely.
Currencies and Commodities: Calmness on the Weekend
Currency and commodity markets are also in a state of tranquility. The international currency market (FOREX) is closed until Monday, so the rates of major currency pairs (dollar/euro, dollar/yen, etc.) remain around the last closing levels without new fluctuations. Prices for oil and gold, finishing the week with minor deviations, are not updating over the weekend—trading in oil, metals, and other commodities will resume only when the markets open at the start of next week. Thus, external benchmarks for the stock markets from commodity and currency quotes remain stable. Neither the dollar nor oil is providing new signals for market participants, sustaining an overall atmosphere of caution.
Seasonal Factors: The Santa Claus Rally and Portfolio Rebalancing
At the end of December, investors traditionally look forward to the "Santa Claus rally," a seasonal increase in stock prices amid low trading volumes. However, in 2025, the conditions for a confident rally are limited: macroeconomic data in recent weeks has been mixed, and many participants are adopting a cautious, wait-and-see stance. Given the reduced liquidity, strong growth drivers are absent, so a significant price surge in the final sessions of the year is not forecasted.
Another factor at year-end is the 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 before year-end reporting closes. These technical operations can cause localized movements in certain stocks or sectors at the start of the next 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 hold current positions until the New Year.
What Investors Should Focus On
- Monitor news over the weekend: Despite the lull, significant global events can unfold at any moment. For example, on Sunday, a review of opinions from the Bank of Japan regarding its latest meeting is published, and any geopolitical statements or urgent news emerging on Saturday or Sunday will only be reflected in the markets after they open. Unexpected information can cause price gaps on Monday morning.
- Use the pause to analyze your portfolio: The holiday is a good time to reflect on 2025. Investors from the post-Soviet space should evaluate the performance 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 sessions of December: The last trading days of the year (December 29–31) will occur amid decreased activity but may induce localized movements. At the start of the new week, some market participants will rebalance positions, and signs of market direction may emerge as early as December 29. It is important for investors to enter this week fully prepared: maintain caution with 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 mean a lack of prospects—activity is set to return in January 2026, with a new season of corporate reporting commencing and significant macroeconomic statistics being released. Those adhering to their investment strategy should not succumb to a false sense of calm and need to be prepared for renewed market fluctuations in the new year.
Thus, Sunday, December 28, passes under the sign of tranquility and the absence of new market benchmarks. Investors are using this day for a breather and planning, glancing occasionally at the news backdrop. Ahead lies the final week of the year, which is traditionally calm but requires attention to detail. A cautious approach and strategic planning will help navigate the new year armed with necessary information and ready for any market twists.
