Daily Market Insights - December 29, 2025

Market Overview

Equity futures indicate a lower opening today, with S&P futures down by 17 points and Nasdaq futures down by 101 points. Despite a solid performance during the Christmas holiday week, where major averages gained over 1.0% and the S&P reached record highs, the market is expected to experience a holiday-abbreviated trading week.

Geopolitical Developments

Recent geopolitical tensions include a meeting between President Trump and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, where they discussed a potential deal to end the conflict with Russia, although some issues remain unresolved. Additionally, China has begun military exercises near Taiwan, raising concerns among market participants.

Corporate News

In corporate news, Alphabet's Waymo is facing scrutiny due to outages, while Novo Nordisk has reduced the price of Wegovy in certain Chinese provinces by 50%. SoftBank is reportedly in advanced talks to acquire DigitalBridge Group, which saw a significant stock price increase of 28.2%.

International Market Activity

Asian markets had a mixed performance, with South Korea's Kospi gaining 2.2% and Japan's Nikkei declining by 0.4%. In Europe, major indices are trading near flat lines as they return from the holiday break.

Economic Data

Market participants are awaiting the release of November pending home sales data later today. Recent economic data from China showed a significant drop in industrial profits, while India's industrial production exceeded expectations.

Market Sentiment

Overall, the market sentiment remains cautious as investors look for fresh catalysts heading into the new year. The major indices are near record highs, but trading volume is expected to remain light due to the holiday season.