Forex Markets Hold Steady as Traders Await Fed Minutes Amid Thin Year-End Volumes 
Citi Forecasts a Volatile but Ongoing Bull Market for S&P 500 in 2026 
Wall Street Ends Mixed as Tech and Financial Stocks Weigh on Markets Amid Thin Holiday Trading 
U.S. Dollar Steadies Ahead of Fed Minutes as Markets Eye Policy Divisions 
Asian Stock Markets Start New Year Higher as Tech and AI Shares Drive Gains 
Japanese Business Leaders Urge Government Action as Weak Yen Strains Economy 
South Korea Factory Output Misses Forecasts in November Amid Ongoing Economic Uncertainty 
Asia Manufacturing PMI Rebounds as Exports and Tech Demand Drive Growth into 2026 
South Korea Inflation Rises to 2.3% in December, Matching Market Expectations 
South Korea Factory Activity Returns to Growth in December on Export Rebound 
Asian Currencies Trade Flat as Dollar Weakens in Thin New Year Trading 
Gold Prices Rebound in Europe as Geopolitical Tensions and Fed Outlook Support Bullion 
Trump Delays Tariff Increases on Furniture and Cabinets for One More Year 
U.S. Dollar Slides Toward Biggest Annual Loss Since 2017 as 2026 Risks Loom 
Asian Markets Slip as Precious Metals Cool, Geopolitical Tensions Weigh on Sentiment 
USDA $12 Billion Farm Aid Program Draws Mixed Reactions from Row Crop Farmers 
U.S. Stock Futures Slip as Year-End Trading Turns Cautious 
Russian stocks finished the latest trading session mixed after the close on Saturday, as gains in select blue-chip shares were offset by declines in energy and technology names. By the end of trading in Moscow, the MOEX Russia Index closed unchanged at 0.00%, reflecting a cautious and balanced sentiment among investors in the Russian stock market.
Among the top performers on the MOEX Russia Index, Federal Hydro Generating Company RusHydro PJSC showed notable strength, rising 1.27% to close at 0.43. Moskovskiy Kreditnyi Bank PAO also advanced, adding 0.61% to finish at 6.41, while AFK Sistema PJSC gained 0.46%, ending the session at 13.19. These gains helped support the broader index despite weakness in other sectors.
On the downside, ROSSETI PJSC was among the weakest performers, slipping 0.64% to trade at 0.08 by the close. NOVATEK PJSC declined 0.33%, losing 4.00 points to end at 1,192.00, while VK Company Ltd edged lower by 0.17% to 296.80. Overall market breadth remained positive, with advancing stocks outnumbering decliners by 150 to 67, while 24 stocks finished unchanged on the Moscow Stock Exchange.
Market volatility remained subdued, as the Russian Volatility Index (RVI) closed flat at 22.65, marking a new 52-week low and signaling reduced investor uncertainty. In the commodities market, gold futures for February delivery fell 0.61% to $4,595.40 per troy ounce. Oil prices moved higher, with February crude oil rising 0.42% to $59.44 per barrel, while March Brent crude gained 0.58% to trade at $64.13.
In currency markets, the Russian ruble strengthened against major currencies. The USD/RUB pair declined 0.32% to 78.00, and EUR/RUB fell 0.40% to 90.47. Meanwhile, the US Dollar Index Futures edged up 0.08% to 99.20, reflecting modest dollar strength globally.
