Key Economic Events and Corporate Reports for Sunday, December 28, 2025: A Global Market Lull, Absence of New Data, and Preparations for Year-End Sessions.
Sunday, December 28, 2025, is characterized by a complete calm in the global financial markets. Following the Christmas holidays and a shortened trading week, global exchanges are continuing their pause: all major venues are closed for the day due to the weekend. No new macroeconomic publications or corporate reports from major companies are anticipated, and investor activity is at a minimum. The lack of fresh drivers means that price dynamics remain neutral, and market participants are taking this breather to assess the situation and prepare for the final trading sessions of the year.
Global Markets: A Non-Trading Holiday
All key stock exchanges in the US, Europe, and Asia remain closed on December 28 due to the holiday (Sunday). American indices S&P 500 and NASDAQ concluded the past shortened week with no significant changes: Friday trading on Wall Street was sluggish due to the absence of many participants, and no new price movements were formed before the weekend. European markets are similarly paused—exchanges in London, Frankfurt, and other financial hubs are not operating, and the pan-European index Euro Stoxx 50 is not updating today. The situation is analogous in Asia: trading on the Tokyo (Nikkei 225 index) and Shanghai exchanges does not take place on Sunday. The Russian stock market (Moscow Exchange index) is also not operational until the start of the new week. The global absence of trading leads to major indices holding at levels of the previous closure, without any new impulses.
Macroeconomic Statistics: No Significant Releases
The international economic calendar for December 28 is essentially empty: governmental agencies and central banks in leading countries do not release statistics on a non-business day. Neither the US, Europe, nor Asia has significant macroeconomic indicators scheduled for release, as the holiday period is accompanied by a pause in official updates. Investors have nothing to add to the already known picture: all important data released earlier in December has already been factored into the market. Thus, traders lack new macroeconomic benchmarks, and market sentiment is shaped by previous news and expectations. Only certain localized reports (for example, regarding industrial production and the banking sector) may emerge today, but their influence on global markets is negligible.
Corporate Calendar: A Lull at Year-End
No corporate reports from major publicly traded companies are scheduled for December 28. The quarterly reporting season ended earlier this month, and none of the companies included in key indices (S&P 500, Euro Stoxx 50, Nikkei 225, Moscow Exchange index) is publishing financial results on this day. Even in the US, where markets are typically active on ordinary days, large corporations tend to avoid making announcements during the height of holiday weekends. A small number of second-tier companies could theoretically release press releases or operational updates, but doing so on a non-business day is impractical as investors would simply not see them until the markets reopen. Therefore, the news background from the corporate sector remains neutral and does not influence market participants’ sentiment.
Trading Activity: Low Liquidity and Volatility
The absence of trading sessions and fresh news leads to extremely low liquidity in the financial markets this weekend. "Thin" trading—characterized by minimal transaction volumes—defines the end of the week: major players have already left the market before the new year, and those remaining are not taking active steps. Consequently, the volatility of leading assets is at a lowered level. Stock indices are holding in narrow ranges, as the demand and supply are inadequate for any significant price shifts. This neutral dynamic is due to large investors having locked in profits and closed some positions in advance, not planning new trades until January. With virtually zero trading activity, sharp price movements are unlikely.
Forex and Commodities: Peaceful Weekend
Currency and commodity markets are also in a state of calm. The international currency market (FOREX) is closed until Monday, so exchange rates of major currency pairs (dollar/euro, dollar/yen, etc.) remain near the levels of the last closure without new fluctuations. Prices for oil and gold, having concluded the week with minor changes, are not updating over the weekend—trading in oil, metals, and other commodities will only resume with the opening of exchanges at the beginning of the next week. Thus, external benchmarks for stock markets from commodity and currency quotes remain stable. Neither the dollar nor oil is giving new signals to market participants, which supports an overall mood of waiting.
Seasonal Factors: Santa Claus Rally and Portfolio Rebalancing
At the end of December, investors traditionally anticipate the effect of the "Santa Claus rally"—a seasonal increase in stock prices amid low trading volumes. However, in 2025, the prerequisites for a confident rally are few: macroeconomic data in recent weeks have been mixed, and many participants are taking a cautious and wait-and-see approach. In a low liquidity environment, there are no strong growth drivers, so substantial price spikes during the final sessions of the year are not forecasted.
Another year-end factor is the rebalancing of portfolios by major institutional players. In the last days of December, funds and investment banks may carry out sales and purchases to align their portfolios with target proportions before the year-end reporting closes. These technical operations can cause spot 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 weakly pronounced, and for most investors, the main strategy remains to maintain current positions until the new year.
What Investors Should Pay Attention To
- Monitor news over the weekend: despite the lull, significant world events can occur at any moment. For instance, on Sunday, a Bank of Japan report on the latest meeting is published, and any geopolitical statements or breaking news that emerge on Saturday or Sunday will only be factored into the markets after they reopen. Unexpected information could cause price gaps on Monday morning.
- Use the pause for portfolio analysis: the non-business day is a suitable time to assess the results of 2025. Investors from the CIS should evaluate the effectiveness of their investments, review asset balance, and prepare a strategy for the early weeks of 2026 while new data and reports have yet to create volatility.
- Prepare for final sessions in December: the last trading days of the year (December 29-31) will occur amidst declining activity but could bring local movements. As the new week begins, certain market participants will undertake position rebalancing, and signs of market direction before the new year may emerge as early as December 29. It is essential for investors to enter 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 perspective: the pre-New Year calm is temporary. The absence of movements does not equate to a lack of prospects—starting in January 2026, activity will return, the new corporate reporting season will commence, and important macro statistics will be released. For those adhering to their investment strategy, it's crucial not to succumb to a false sense of calm and to be ready for a resumption of market fluctuations in the new year.
Thus, Sunday, December 28, proceeds under the sign of calm and the absence of new benchmarks for the markets. Investors are using this day for rest and planning, only occasionally glancing at the news backdrop. Ahead lies the final week of the year, which is traditionally quiet but demands attention to detail. A cautious approach and strategic planning will help meet the new year armed with necessary information and prepared for any market twists.
