GoAI Market Wrap - 27th Dec
Stock Market
On Friday (Dec 26), U.S. stocks traded in a narrow range, with all three major indices closing slightly lower — ending a five-day winning streak.
At the close, Dow Jones Index −0.04% to 48,710.97 points, S&P 500 Index −0.03% to 6,929.94 points, Nasdaq Composite Index −0.09% to 23,593.10 points.
This week, in three and a half trading days, the Dow gained 1.2%, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq rose 1.4% and 1.22%, respectively. On Wednesday’s early close, both the Dow and S&P set new closing highs.
U.S. Bank Asset Management National Investment Strategist Tom Hainlin commented: “People are taking profits sporadically or buying dips, but there’s not much information. You’re not getting earnings reports or much economic data, so it’s probably more technicals and positioning right now.”
Hainlin noted recent market breadth expansion offers a New Year trading opportunity, pointing out Wednesday’s S&P 500 high was driven not by tech but by financials and industrials — two cyclical sectors of the U.S. economy.
“This gives us more confidence for 2026 because it’s not just tech companies and their supporting industries benefiting. The market is also helped by the tax reform bill signed in July and Q4 rate cuts. Looking to 2026, these are all positives.”
Piper Sandler Chief Market Technician Craig Johnson wrote in a report that the market remains constructive, with improving economic breadth and easing inflation supporting expectations for a year-end Santa Claus rally.
Global Hotspots
Putin: Will apply AI technology to consolidate Russia’s weapons advantage
Russian President Putin said on the 26th that the new national armaments program includes measures to expand high-tech production scale and apply artificial intelligence technology to consolidate weapons advantages.
Global M&A volume surges to $4.5 trillion this year – second-highest on record
Per London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) data, global M&A deal value rose nearly 50% from 2024 to $4.5 trillion — the second-highest in over 40 years of records, behind only the 2021 boom. Top M&A executives say Trump administration deregulation is encouraging companies to pursue deals previously avoided due to regulatory risk concerns.
German digital minister: Social media age limits “completely reasonable”
On the 26th local time, German sources said Digital and National Modernization Minister Karsten Wildberger is open to following Australia’s underage social media ban. A related expert committee is expected to propose implementation next year.
Japan’s new fiscal year to allocate ¥56 billion for ammunition depots
Japan’s approved FY2026 budget includes ~¥56 billion to add ammunition depots. The Defense Ministry plans ~130 new depots by around 2032. Japan’s new “three security documents” passed end-2022 proposed strengthening defense in seven key areas, including more ammunition depots to boost sustained combat capability.
Corporate News
U.S. restarts graphite mining layout amid global battery industry rapid expansion
The U.S. is reexamining long-overlooked critical mineral graphite due to fast battery industry growth. New York-based Titan Mining plans commercial graphite production by 2028, expecting ~40,000 tonnes/year refined graphite — meeting half U.S. natural graphite demand.
Toyota plans over 10 million global vehicles in 2026
Toyota Motor plans global production exceeding 10 million units in 2026 to meet sustained strong hybrid vehicle (HV) demand in North America and elsewhere. Full-year 2025 production is expected around 10 million units.
Forex & Commodities
International gold and silver continue new highs.
COMEX gold futures and spot gold up over 1%, weekly ~4%; COMEX silver futures and spot silver both up over 10%, weekly ~18%. Spot palladium up over 14%, weekly over 12%; spot platinum up over 10%, weekly over 24%.
Key Events
Precious metals sector fully blooms, reinforcing commodity bull market
Global metals generally rose in December. Silver YTD over 170%, gold over 70%, platinum 133%, palladium 95%, NY copper ~45%, SHFE copper over 40%, LME copper nearly 39% through Wednesday. The combination of trade disruptions, geopolitical uncertainty, and supply shocks has reshaped the industry landscape.
This week, reports said the London silver market is experiencing severe physical squeeze — investors selling paper silver and buying physical, pushing the key “one-year silver swap spread” to −7.18% — signaling extreme physical tightness. Experts say this “distortion” is core to silver’s rally, with leverage pressure and arbitrage likely to sustain upside.
Reports also note traders watching a U.S. Commerce Department investigation on whether critical mineral imports threaten national security — potentially leading to new tariffs or restrictions.
Famous silver analyst Peter Krauth believes the market has confirmed a $50 bottom. Entering the “mania phase,” the gold/silver ratio could sharply correct. Per models, if ratio falls to 15, long-term silver target could hit $300 — launching a prolonged bull driven by supply deficits.
Cryptocurrency
Bitcoin 24h −0.14% to $87,401.64.
Ethereum −0.15% to $2,923.83.
XRP +0.55%, BNB +0.31%, Solana +0.91%.
Dogecoin −1.21%, Cardano +1.58%.
Key Events
Christmas wish for Bitcoin? U.S. consumer behavior undergoing surprising change
Western countries are celebrating Christmas, but this year’s holidays are overshadowed by inflation — leading to less traditional spending. Compared to classic gifts like chocolate, cards, or small appliances, Americans are seeking more economical options.
A Visa report shows U.S. consumers increasingly hope to receive cryptocurrency as Christmas gifts — 28% of adults would be very happy with crypto, rising to 45% among Gen Z.
Meanwhile, nearly half shoppers (47%) used AI tools at least once for shopping tasks — with gift ideas the most frequent AI query.