NEW YORK, Dec. 27, 2025, 6:49 p.m. ET — Market closed (weekend).
Coupang, Inc. (NYSE: CPNG) heads into the final trading days of 2025 with renewed attention after the stock surged in Friday’s post-Christmas session, fueled by fresh company details on a high-profile cybersecurity incident in South Korea. With U.S. markets closed Saturday and Sunday, investors now have a full weekend to parse the latest disclosures, analyst reactions, and the remaining risks before trading resumes Monday, Dec. 29.
Coupang stock price recap: a gap-up rally, then a fade into the close
Coupang shares ended Friday, Dec. 26 at $24.27, up 6.45%, after opening at $24.87 and trading as high as $25.38 on elevated volume (about 30.1 million shares). The strong open meant the stock was up roughly 9% right out of the gate, which helps explain why many headlines described an intraday “surge” even though the gain moderated by the close. [1]
The broader market backdrop was relatively calm: Wall Street finished a light-volume, post-holiday session near record levels with little in the way of catalysts, as investors watched the seasonal “Santa Claus rally” window and positioned into year-end. Ryan Detrick, chief market strategist at Carson Group, told Reuters the market was “catching our breath” after a strong run and still had time left in the Santa rally period. [2]
What changed: Coupang’s Christmas Day update narrowed the breach narrative
The key development was a Dec. 25 update from Coupang regarding the cybersecurity incident tied to its Korea subsidiary. In the company’s statement, Coupang said the perpetrator was identified and that devices involved in the data leak were retrieved. Coupang’s investigation indicated the actor accessed 33 million accounts but retained data from only about 3,000 accounts and later deleted it. The company also said the retained data included 2,609 building entrance codes, and that no payment data, login data, or individual customs numbers were accessed. Coupang further said the perpetrator did not transfer the data to others, and that the company engaged Mandiant, Palo Alto Networks, and Ernst & Young to support the forensic work. [3]
That “less severe than feared” framing drove a classic relief rally, as markets recalibrated from worst-case assumptions (mass export of sensitive customer data) toward a scenario that—if confirmed—could be more containable financially and reputationally. Barron’s and Investopedia both highlighted the shift in perceived scope as central to Friday’s move. [4]
The important caveat: regulators say the investigation isn’t over
Coupang’s narrative is not the final word. Reuters reported that South Korea’s Ministry of Science said the investigation is ongoing and has not confirmed Coupang’s conclusions, while also criticizing the company for releasing information before conclusions were reached. [5]
That distinction matters for U.S.-listed Coupang shares because the next leg of the story—regulatory findings, potential penalties, and any follow-on disclosures—could shape sentiment as much as the company’s internal assessment.
What Coupang already told U.S. regulators: the 8‑K risk framing
In a Form 8‑K filed with the U.S. SEC, Coupang said it became aware on Nov. 18, 2025 of unauthorized access to customer accounts and later determined a former employee may have obtained data tied to up to 33 million customer accounts (including name, phone number, delivery address, email, and some order histories for a subset). Coupang said no banking information, payment card information, or login credentials were obtained. The company also warned it could face risks including management distraction and potentially material financial losses from remediation, regulatory penalties, and litigation—while noting operations had not been materially disrupted and that it could not reasonably estimate losses from potential penalties at that time. [6]
The filing also disclosed leadership changes: the CEO of Coupang’s Korean subsidiary resigned on Dec. 10, with Coupang, Inc. General Counsel Harold L. Rogers serving as interim CEO of the Korean subsidiary. [7]
Analyst response: still bullish overall, but cybersecurity becomes a modeling line item
Even as the stock bounced Friday, some analysts have already adjusted assumptions:
- Morgan Stanley lowered its price target on Coupang to $31 from $35 while maintaining an Overweight rating. Analyst Seyon Park cited “heightened risk” following the personal information breach and embedded higher cybersecurity spending in forecasts, while still expecting minimal impact on operations. [8]
- Nomura cut its price target to $30 from $38 and maintained a Buy rating, according to MarketBeat’s summary of the research note. [9]
Zooming out, the Street’s aggregate stance remains constructive: MarketBeat lists a “Moderate Buy” consensus rating based on 11 analyst ratings, with an average 12‑month price target of $33.25 (range: $27 to $40). [10]
Forecast snapshot: what the Street expects next
Consensus trackers still point to growth and modest profitability, though estimates vary by source. TradingView’s consensus FAQ indicates:
- last quarter EPS $0.05 versus an estimate of $0.04,
- next quarter EPS expected around $0.04,
- next quarter revenue expected around $9.39B. [11]
These forecasts now sit alongside a new investor question: whether cybersecurity-related spending, churn, regulatory actions, or brand trust issues become a measurable drag on margins and growth in 2026.
What investors should watch before Monday’s session
Because the NYSE is closed for the weekend, Coupang’s next trade will be Monday—meaning any weekend headlines could be priced in at once when markets reopen. Here are the catalysts and risk markers likely to matter most:
- Follow-through from Korean authorities
Reuters has reported regulators have not confirmed the company’s conclusions yet. Any official validation—or contradiction—could move the stock quickly. [12] - Litigation overhang in the U.S.
Coupang is already facing a U.S. securities class action tied to the breach, according to Reuters, adding headline risk even if the operational impact stays limited. [13] - Year-end market mechanics and macro headlines
With equities near records, Reuters’ week-ahead preview flagged the potential for volatility from light volumes and year-end portfolio adjustments, plus upcoming Fed-related signals that can sway growth stock valuations. Reuters cited Paul Nolte (Murphy & Sylvest), Michael Reynolds (Glenmede), and Anthony Saglimbene (Ameriprise Financial) discussing bullish momentum, rate-cut expectations, and rotation dynamics. [14] - Technical posture after the gap
Friday’s action featured a strong gap-up and heavy volume, but the stock closed below its open—often a sign that fast-money traders took profits into strength. The next session will reveal whether institutions continue accumulating or if the move was primarily a one-day relief bounce. [15]
The takeaway
Coupang stock’s sharp move into the weekend underscores how quickly a single, high-stakes narrative—especially one involving cybersecurity—can dominate the short-term tape. The company’s Dec. 25 update helped investors reprice the incident toward “contained” rather than “catastrophic,” powering Friday’s rally. [16]
But with regulators still investigating and legal exposure already in play, the next session is likely to hinge less on what investors hope happened and more on what third parties confirm—plus whether the market’s year-end tailwinds continue to support risk appetite into the final days of 2025. [17]
References
1. stockanalysis.com, 2. www.reuters.com, 3. www.aboutcoupang.com, 4. www.barrons.com, 5. www.reuters.com, 6. www.sec.gov, 7. www.sec.gov, 8. www.tipranks.com, 9. www.marketbeat.com, 10. www.marketbeat.com, 11. www.tradingview.com, 12. www.reuters.com, 13. www.reuters.com, 14. www.reuters.com, 15. stockanalysis.com, 16. www.aboutcoupang.com, 17. www.reuters.com
