Stock Market Weekly Gains – Holiday‑Shortened Trading Wrap, Dec. 26, 2025

Major U.S. stock indexes ended the holiday week on a quiet note, but still posted solid gains. After the Christmas break, the Nasdaq slipped 0.1%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average edged fractionally lower, and the S&P 500 set a new intraday high before closing slightly down. Despite Friday’s muted action, all three indexes rose more than 1% for the week, extending their strong year-end momentum.

Major U.S. indexes closed the holiday week on a muted note. The Nasdaq slipped 0.1%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average edged fractionally lower, and the S&P 500 set a new intraday high before finishing slightly down. Despite Friday’s quiet session, all three benchmarks gained more than 1% for the week, extending year‑end momentum.

Precious metals surged to fresh records, with gold hitting $4,585 per ounce and silver climbing to $79 per ounce. Mining stocks followed suit, led by Freeport‑McMoRan (FCX), which advanced 2.2%.

Retail giant Target (TGT) jumped more than 3% after reports that hedge fund Toms Capital Investment Management had taken a stake in the company, making it one of the S&P 500’s top gainers.

Tech leader Nvidia (NVDA) rose 1% after announcing a licensing deal with AI chip designer Groq, alongside reports of a $20 billion asset acquisition, reinforcing its dominance as the world’s most valuable public company.

The 10‑year Treasury yield held steady at 4.13%, while Bitcoin traded near $87,500, down from overnight highs. The U.S. dollar index ticked up to 98.00, and West Texas Intermediate crude oil fell 2.5% to $56.90 per barrel.

Looking ahead, next week brings another holiday‑shortened schedule: stocks trade a full day Wednesday, bonds close early, and both markets shut down Thursday for New Year’s Day.

December 26, 2025 04:05 PM EST Major U.S. indexes ended Friday quietly but still posted solid weekly gains.

The S&P 500, Dow Jones Industrial Average, and Nasdaq advanced over the holiday‑shortened week, rising 1.4%, 1.2%, and 1.2%, respectively.

All three benchmarks have now climbed in four of the past five weeks, with the Dow rebounding after last week’s decline.

Both the S&P 500 and Dow are on track for an eighth consecutive monthly gain, underscoring strong year‑end momentum.

For 2025 overall, the Nasdaq is up 22%, the S&P 500 has gained 18%, and the Dow has risen 15%.

If you’re set to receive Social Security in 2026, several program updates will shape your benefits.

The first check of 2026 arrives on Jan. 2 for those who began collecting before May 1997 and for individuals also receiving Supplemental Security Income.

Retirement, spousal, and survivor benefits will be distributed on a staggered schedule: payments go out on Jan. 14 for birthdays between the 1st and 10th, Jan. 21 for birthdays between the 11th and 20th, and Jan. 28 for birthdays between the 21st and 31st.

2026 Social Security COLA Increase – Why Rising Medicare Costs May Cancel It Out

The annual cost‑of‑living adjustment (COLA) for Social Security benefits in 2026 will be 2.8%, translating to about $56 more per month starting in January. This adjustment is based on inflation data from the third quarter of 2025 and is designed to help retirees and beneficiaries keep pace with higher living expenses.

Experts caution, however, that the modest COLA will not provide meaningful relief for many seniors. The challenge lies in healthcare costs: Medicare Part B premiums are projected to rise 11.6% in 2026, a jump that effectively erases the COLA increase for millions of Americans who rely on Social Security.

This dynamic underscores the ongoing struggle for retirees, where inflation adjustments often fail to match the pace of rising medical expenses, leaving net benefits stagnant despite headline increases.

The “One Big, Beautiful Bill” is set to reshape the Pell Grant program beginning with the 2026‑27 award year.

The new congressional budget expands Pell Grants to cover short certificate and licensing programs at trade schools, broadening access beyond traditional four‑year degrees. In addition, eligibility requirements have been adjusted, making the program more flexible for undergraduates seeking financial aid.

These changes officially take effect on July 1, 2026, and are already reflected in the FAFSA application for the 2026‑27 academic year, which opened on Sept. 24.

Target’s holiday sales figures remain uncertain, but its shares are enjoying a seasonal lift.

The retailer’s stock rose more than 2% Friday, ranking among the S&P 500’s top gainers, after reports from the Financial Times revealed that hedge fund and activist investor Toms Capital Investment Management had taken a stake in the company.

Despite a challenging year for Target investors, the news sparked optimism. While the size of the stake was not disclosed and Toms declined to comment, Target confirmed it maintains ongoing dialogue with the investment community.

In its statement, Target emphasized its growth strategy built on three pillars: merchandising leadership, an elevated shopping experience, and leveraging technology. The company expressed confidence that executing this plan will restore momentum and deliver long‑term shareholder value.

Your credit score plays a central role in whether you’re approved for loans or credit cards, and it influences the interest rates you’ll receive. But many consumers notice discrepancies one report might show a score of 685 while another lists 715. The reason is that not all credit scores are calculated the same way, and lenders don’t all use the same model.

A credit score is a three‑digit measure of your creditworthiness, shaped by factors such as payment history, length of credit history, outstanding balances, new accounts, lender inquiries, and any negative marks like liens or bankruptcies.

The three major credit bureaus Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion compile your credit data into reports, which are then used to generate scores.

Two primary scoring models dominate the industry: FICO and VantageScore. FICO scores typically range from 580 to above 800, while VantageScores span 300 to 850. Each model weighs credit factors differently, which explains why your scores rarely match exactly.

An e‑commerce stock is rebounding Friday after the company reassured investors that a recent cyberattack did not compromise customer payment data.

Shares of Coupang (CPNG) surged about 9% following its update on the breach at its South Korean subsidiary, which had exposed personal information from roughly 33 million customers.

The company stated that the perpetrator has been identified and all devices used in the leak have been retrieved. Investigators found that the hacker retained limited data from only 3,000 accounts and later deleted that information.

Coupang’s shares had dropped sharply on Dec. 1 when the breach was first disclosed, hitting their lowest levels since April. With Friday’s rally, the stock is now up about 13% year‑to‑date.

The trading year may be winding down, but Nvidia continues to deliver headline‑making moves.

Earlier this week, the chip leader announced a non‑exclusive licensing agreement with AI inference chipmaker Groq, a deal that keeps Groq independent while bringing its founder Jonathan Ross, President Sunny Madra, and other team members into Nvidia to help scale the licensed technology.

The update lifted Nvidia (NVDA) shares more than 1% Friday morning, adding to a year‑to‑date rally of about 40%.

Investor sentiment was further boosted by reports that Nvidia is acquiring select Groq assets in a transaction valued at $20 billion, marking the company’s largest acquisition to date and signaling continued aggressive expansion in the AI sector.

Neither Nvidia nor Groq provided additional comment, but the deal underscores Nvidia’s strategy of consolidating talent and technology as 2025 closes.

The question of whether home values will climb in 2026 depends largely on location and the broader impact of inflation on the economy.

Several economists anticipate continued appreciation. The National Association of Realtors projects a 4% rise in home prices, with Chief Economist Lawrence Yun noting that “home prices nationwide are in no danger of declining.”

That forecast outpaces the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia’s CPI inflation estimate of 2.6% for late 2026, suggesting housing wealth could grow faster than consumer prices.

Still, not all outlooks are bullish. Fannie Mae expects a 1.3% increase, while Zillow projects 1.2%, both below inflation levels, signaling weaker real gains for homeowners.

Precious metals continued their record‑breaking run Friday, driving mining stocks sharply higher.

Freeport‑McMoRan (FCX) gained nearly 2% and Southern Copper (SCCO) rose 1.2% early in the session, reflecting investor enthusiasm for the sector.

Freeport‑McMoRan shares are now up close to 40% in 2025, including a 25% surge over the past month, while Southern Copper has soared 70% year‑to‑date.

Gold futures climbed to $4,568 per ounce and silver reached $75.84 per ounce, both setting fresh all‑time highs and reinforcing the bullish momentum in commodities.

Holding off until after Christmas can actually stretch your budget further. Savvy shoppers highlight that waiting for the January inventory turnover often unlocks deeper discounts than the holiday rush.

Electronics, clothing, and other retail staples typically see markdowns once stores reset shelves for the new year. While patience means delaying gratification, the savings on big‑ticket items make the wait worthwhile.

Planning ahead is key. Shoppers who create a list of target purchases can maximize post‑holiday deals and avoid impulse spending. Timing major buys during this period ensures better value for essentials and luxury items alike.

It’s return season again, as shoppers gather up unwanted socks, accessories, and holiday misfires to send back.

Data from Adobe Analytics shows returns climbing in late December, though running about 2.5% lower than the same period in 2024. Analysts suggest this may reflect slower returns rather than better gift choices.

Schorr Packaging calls returns “a holiday tradition,” noting that half of shoppers send items back within a week, while another quarter do so within two to three weeks.

The rise of online shopping and expanded return policies since the pandemic have fueled higher return rates. The National Retail Federation and Happy Returns estimate that 16% of 2025 sales will be returned double the 2019 rate, though slightly below last year’s level.

Despite e‑commerce growth, most Americans still prefer traditional in‑store returns over third‑party drop‑off sites or mailing items back.

Employers are expected to remain cautious in 2026, holding back on major hiring initiatives and keeping wage growth restrained. Weak demand for workers combined with economic uncertainty tied to shifting tariff policies has made companies hesitant to expand aggressively.

Forecasts suggest the job market will continue its slow pace. Hiring has cooled compared to recent years, with firms avoiding mass layoffs but also reluctant to add large numbers of employees. This cautious stance is reflected in compensation trends.

According to payroll software firm Payscale, U.S. employers plan to offer raises averaging 3.3% in 2026, slightly below the 2025 average.

Analysts at Indeed expect job openings to stabilize while unemployment edges higher, but not dramatically. Wage growth, measured by advertised salaries in postings, has already slowed over the past year, signaling that the days of outsized raises seen in 2022 are unlikely to return.

The final stretch of 2025 shows strength across equities, commodities, and select sectors, but also highlights caution in wages, housing, and consumer behavior. Stocks closed the holiday week higher, precious metals hit record levels, and companies like Target and Nvidia grabbed investor attention with strategic moves. At the same time, Social Security COLA gains are offset by Medicare costs, housing forecasts remain mixed, and employers project only modest raises in 2026.

Consumers are navigating post‑holiday shopping and returns, while e‑commerce firms like Coupang rebound from cyber setbacks. Overall, the market tone is resilient, but inflation pressures and cautious corporate strategies suggest 2026 will demand careful financial planning.