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The US stock markets ended the session with moderate gains. At the close of Friday, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (US30) decreased by 0.04% (+1.53% for the week). The S&P 500 (US500) went down by 0.03% (+2.02% for the week). The tech-heavy Nasdaq (US100) closed lower by 0.05% (+1.98% for the week). The market was supported by the technology and energy sectors, which managed to offset cautious investor sentiment fueled by signals of strong economic momentum. An additional driver for the tech segment was a 1% rise in Nvidia shares following news of a licensing agreement with AI startup Groq, which revived interest in AI-related stocks and supported major growth companies.

The Mexican peso (MXN) strengthened to 17.9 per dollar, reaching its highest level since July 2024, driven by higher-than-expected domestic economic activity, attractive local bond yields, and a weakening US dollar. The unemployment rate in November 2025 stood at 2.7%, maintaining tightness in the labor market, while the Economic Activity Index rose 1.7% year-on-year in October, dispelling fears of a sharp slowdown. The weakening of the US dollar amid expectations of Fed rate cuts also supported the peso’s appreciation.

On Friday, Bitcoin (BTC) rose by more than 1%, surpassing the $88,000 mark as the market braced for a significant revaluation ahead of the expiration of over $27 billion in digital assets options contracts, including $23.3 billion in BTC options and $3.7 billion in ETH options. Despite the gains, digital assets remain in a consolidation phase near their November lows, as traders remain cautious following a sharp sell-off triggered by US-China tariff concerns since early October.
Equity markets in Europe traded mixed on Friday. The German DAX (DE40) rose by 0.23% (+0.75% for the week), the French CAC 40 (FR40) closed down 0.01% (+0.20% for the week), the Spanish IBEX 35 (ES35) fell 0.06% (+1.38% for the week), and the British FTSE 100 (UK100) closed down 0.19% (+0.99% for the week).

WTI oil prices added more than 1% on Monday, rising above $57 per barrel and partially offsetting the previous session’s decline as geopolitical risks were assessed. The escalation in the Middle East, including Saudi Arabian airstrikes in Yemen and tough rhetoric from Iran toward the US, Europe, and Israel, heightened fears of potential supply disruptions and provided temporary support to prices.

Platinum prices (XPT) surpassed the $2,400 per ounce mark, reaching a new record amid strong demand and limited supply. Since the beginning of the year, the metal has appreciated by nearly 160%, outperforming gold and silver, driven by active safe-haven buying amid geopolitical tensions as well as a recovery in industrial demand, including EU plans to soften the ban on internal combustion engines from 2035. Demand from China remains resilient, and the launch of platinum futures on the GFE has boosted market activity and liquidity. Supply constraints persist: disruptions in South Africa could lead to a third consecutive annual deficit of 692,000 ounces.

Palladium prices (XPD) are holding above $1,950 per ounce, approaching their highest levels since late 2022, supported by a combination of steady consumer demand and limited supply. Prices are also bolstered by geopolitical uncertainty increasing interest in safe-haven assets and the softening of the EU’s stance on the ban of new gasoline and diesel car sales from 2035, which boosted expectations for continued demand for automotive catalysts. Additional positive sentiment is being driven by active shipments to China following the launch of palladium futures on the Guangzhou Exchange.

Asian markets traded mixed last week. The Japanese Nikkei 225 (JP225) rose 1.33%, the Chinese FTSE China A50 (CHA50) gained 1.42%, the Hong Kong Hang Seng (HK50) increased by 1.93%, and the Australian ASX 200 (AU200) showed a positive result of 2.41% over the 5-day period.

On Monday, the offshore yuan weakened toward the 7 per dollar level, retreating from a fifteen-month high amid more cautious investor sentiment and regulatory actions aimed at smoothing sharp one-sided movements. The People’s Bank of China (PBoC) set the midpoint rate slightly weaker than expected, signaling a lack of interest in excessive currency appreciation. In the longer term, investors maintain positive expectations and allow for a re-test of the 7 level in 2026, despite the authorities’ focus on currency stability. Since the start of the year, the yuan has strengthened by more than 4.1% and is heading for its strongest annual growth since 2020.

• S&P 500 (US500) 6,929.94 −2.11 (−0.03%)
• Dow Jones (US30) 48,710.97 −20.19 (−0.04%)
• DAX (DE40) 24,340.06 +56.09 (+0.23%)
• FTSE 100 (UK100) 9,870.68 −18.54 (−0.19%)
• USD Index 98.05 +0.08% (+0.08%)
   

News feed for: 2025.12.29

• US Pending Home Sales (m/m) at 17:00 (GMT+2); – USD (MED)
• US Crude Oil Reserves (w/w) at 17:30 (GMT+2); – WTI (HIGH
• US Natural Gas Storage (w/w) at 19:00 (GMT+2). – XNG (HIGH)

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