Business Sandesh Indian Newspaper | Articles | Opinion Pieces | Research Studies | Findings & News | Sandesh News
Asian markets traded mixed in thin holiday volume on December 24, 2025, with several exchanges set for early closes ahead of Christmas. Investors digested stronger-than-expected US third-quarter GDP data, released a day earlier, showing 4.3% annualized growth—the fastest pace in two years—bolstering optimism around corporate earnings while reinforcing expectations of limited Federal Reserve rate cuts.
Major indices showed subdued moves: Shanghai advanced modestly, Nikkei remained flat, and broader Asia-Pacific gauges rose around 0.2%, led by technology shares tracking Wall Street’s record highs. Trading remained light amid year-end positioning and reduced liquidity.
Bitcoin Slips Amid Risk Rotation
Bitcoin traded lower in Asian hours, hovering around $86,800–$87,200, down roughly 0.8% on the day. The cryptocurrency struggled to sustain breaks above $90,000, reflecting profit-taking, ETF outflows, and sensitivity to higher-for-longer rate signals from resilient US growth. Crypto markets broadly lagged equities, with total capitalization dipping below $3 trillion.
Analysts attributed the weakness to holiday-thinned conditions and deleveraging ahead of a major options expiry, rather than a shift in long-term conviction.
Gold Stays Elevated After Record Rally
Gold held near all-time highs above $4,480 per ounce, following multiple record breaks in recent sessions driven by safe-haven demand, geopolitical tensions (including US-Venezuela strains), and central bank buying. The precious metal’s 70% year-to-date surge—its strongest since 1979—underscored its appeal as a hedge amid mixed macro cues, even as equities cheered growth.
Divergent Signals Ahead
The session highlighted fragmented sentiment: stocks embraced US resilience, gold priced in caution, and Bitcoin faced near-term pressure from rate expectations. With volumes low and major catalysts sparse into year-end, volatility may persist across assets, though selective opportunities remain in high-conviction areas.
