Nifty Faces Resistance at 26,235; Bank Nifty Below Trendline; GIFT Nifty Muted Start
December 26, 2025, 1:21 AM EST. India's Nifty closed at 26,142, down 0.13%, forming a small-bodied candle with upper wicks, signaling persistent selling pressure near the 26,230-26,235 resistance zone. The index failed to decisively close above that area for the second straight session. Near-term resistance is intact at 26,200-26,250, with a potential move to 26,350 and then 26,500 if cleared. Immediate support sits in the 20-day EMA around 26,050-26,000. In the Bank Nifty, price remains below its downward-sloping trendline since Dec 17, with five sessions showing upper wicks. A decisive close above the trendline is needed for a sustained upmove. Key supports at 58,900-59,000; a break below could expose 58,600 and 58,300. On the upside, 59,500-59,600 remains a strong hurdle. The session keeps with a muted start for GIFT Nifty.
Woodside Energy (ASX: WDS) Faces CEO Exit, LNG Projects and Labour Risk as 2026 Timelines Loom
December 26, 2025, 1:20 AM EST. Woodside Energy (ASX: WDS) enters the holiday week with a leadership shift and a race to operationalize key LNG projects. BP has tapped Woodside CEO Meg O'Neill as its next chief executive, starting April 2026, leaving Woodside with Liz Westcott as acting CEO while a permanent replacement search unfolds. The news coincided with a near-term share reaction, with Woodside trading down around 3% after the announcement. The board must navigate go/no-go decisions on contracting, partner sell-downs, and cost discipline as it advances Scarborough and Pluto Train 2 – the core growth engine. Scarborough is ~91% complete, target H2 2026 LNG cargo, 8 Mtpa. However, Pluto LNG 2 labour actions threaten schedule, and market concerns about US LNG versus Australian developments shadow the outlook.
DroneShield Limited (ASX:DRO) Catalysts: Asia-Pacific Contract Win and Governance Reset as 2026 Nears
December 26, 2025, 1:19 AM EST. DroneShield Limited (ASX:DRO) heads into year-end with two catalysts: a $6.2 million Asia-Pacific military-linked contract via an in-country reseller, with delivery and payment in 2026, and a formal governance reset designed to rebuild investor confidence after November's sharp sell-off. As of 24 December, the stock traded around A$3.29, benefitting from a rebound after governance headlines and disclosure scrutiny. Investors weigh operational momentum (a large European deal and the latest Asia-Pacific order) against trust and governance concerns following executive share sales and disclosure issues. DroneShield notes the reseller has delivered 14 standalone contracts totaling over $48 million in the past two years, with no obligation for new contracts, though the December update continues to spotlight a larger $49 million deal still in focus.
Macquarie Group (ASX: MQG) Stock News: ASIC Settlement, Dividend Outlook, and Analyst Targets (Dec 26, 2025)
December 26, 2025, 1:18 AM EST. Macquarie Group (ASX: MQG) enters year-end trading near A$205 with a diversified earnings engine that can flourish when deals and markets cooperate. For 2025, the stock has traded in a wide band (~A$160-A$242.90) and is down about 6-7% YTD. The key market mover this month has been the ASIC settlement: MSAL admitted misreporting millions of short sales and agreed to a A$35 million civil penalty, subject to court approval. Investors shrugged, viewing the penalty as manageable relative to MQG's size and profitability, while remaining focused on macro conditions and core banking/markets drivers. Analyst forecasts still point to some upside, albeit with caveats tied to regulatory and cycle risk.
Canfor (TSE: CFP) Stock Falls Below 200-Day Moving Average
December 26, 2025, 1:17 AM EST. Canfor Co. (TSE CFP) shares slipped to a low of C$11.15, crossing below its 200-day moving average of C$12.91. The stock last traded at C$11.23 on volume of 44,879. Recent analyst moves include Raymond James trimming its target to C$15.00 with an outperform rating and RBC lowering its target to C$15.00 with an outperform rating. MarketBeat shows a Hold consensus and a target near C$15.75. The 50-day SMA is C$11.80, the 200-day SMA is C$12.91. Canfor reported a quarterly loss of C$1.48 per share on revenue of C$1.26 billion, underscoring ongoing profitability headwinds for the lumber producer.
SunOpta (TSE:SOY) Shares Fall Below 200-Day Moving Average
December 26, 2025, 1:16 AM EST. SunOpta Inc. (TSE:SOY) saw its shares drop below the 200-day moving average on Thursday, trading as low as C$4.99. The stock's 200-day MA sits at C$7.55, with the latest print at C$5.19 on volume of 59,850. The company carries a market cap of C$613.47 million, a P/E of 519.00, and a P/E/G of 3.16, with a beta of 2.21. The move follows its latest quarterly results: EPS C$0.05, revenue of C$286.38 million, and a negative ROE of -11.64% and net margin of -2.74%. Near-term metrics show a 50-day MA of C$5.95. Liquidity ratios read current 1.20 and quick 0.49; debt-to-equity 252.92. Analysts foresee EPS ~C$0.0729 for the year ahead. SunOpta operates in Plant-Based and Fruit-Based foods and beverages.
Xero Limited (ASX:XRO) Boxing Day 2025: H1 FY26 Results, Melio Acquisition, and 2026 Outlook
December 26, 2025, 1:15 AM EST. Boxing Day trading calm masks a volatile year for Xero (ASX:XRO). As of 24 December 2025, the stock traded near A$112.78, with a 2025 range of A$108.20-A$196.52 and a year-to-date decline of about 32%. Its A$19.15B market cap underscores its ASX tech prominence. The narrative sits between solid SaaS fundamentals and demand for cleaner proof after the Melio acquisition. In H1 FY26 (to 30 Sep 2025), Xero posted NZ$1,194m revenue (+20%), NZ$321.1m free cash flow (FCF margin 26.9%), 4.59m subscribers (+10%), ARPU NZ$49.63 (+15%), and NPAT NZ$134.8m (+42%), with FY26 OPEX guidance around 70.5% of revenue. The key questions: how much growth quality matters and how margins evolve as Melio integrates, alongside a market that remains wary of the valuation reset.
Sensex, Nifty Live Today: BEL, BDL in Focus Ahead of DAC Meeting
December 26, 2025, 1:00 AM EST. Live market updates show BEL and BDL among key defence stocks in focus ahead of the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) meeting later today. Traders await potential proposals on emergency procurement of critical weapons and equipment, which could speed up new orders for India's defence sector. The session chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh could influence near-term moves in Sensex and Nifty as investors weigh policy signals and defense-spending thrust.
Royal Bank of Canada Stock Price Breaks Above 200-Day Moving Average (TSX:RY)
December 26, 2025, 12:59 AM EST. Royal Bank of Canada (TSX:RY) moved higher after its share price crossed above its 200-day moving average, trading near C$233.85 after peaking at C$234.98. The 200-day MA sits at C$198.26, signaling longer-term momentum. Volume reached about 762,325 shares. The bank also drew fresh analyst support: TD Securities upgraded to Buy with a target of C$246.00; Desjardins raised to C$240.00; BMO to C$245.00; National Bankshares to outperform with C$231.00; Erste Group Bank to strong-buy. Market consensus remains a Moderate Buy with an average target of C$228.92. Fundamentals cited include quarterly earnings of C$3.85 per share, revenue of about C$17.21 billion, and a dividend yield near 2.6% with a quarterly payout of C$1.54.
Treasury Wine Estates: Billionaire Stake Sparks Bounce as 1H26 Earnings Reset Takes Center Stage
December 26, 2025, 12:58 AM EST. Treasury Wine Estates (ASX: TWE) ends 2025 with a double plot twist: a billionaire stake from Olivier Goudet via Platin SARL and a management-led earnings reset for FY26. The 5.05% stake helped a late-December rebound, but the stock remains down ~52% in 2025. Management guides 1H26 EBITS of A$225m-A$235m, with Penfolds ~A$200m, Treasury Americas ~A$40m, and Treasury Collective ~A$25m, signaling a transition year. On the supply side, China's depletions rose 21% but distributor inventory and parallel imports threaten pricing, prompting a plan to cut distributor inventory by ~0.4m cases over two years from 2Q26. In the US luxury wine market, softer demand adds pressure. Investors will watch how brand protection moves land in 1H26.
IEX shares fall nearly 4% as CERC weighs lower, uniform transaction fees
December 26, 2025, 12:46 AM EST. Shares of Indian Energy Exchange (IEX) fell about 4% on Friday after reports that CERC is weighing a lower, uniform transaction fee structure for Indian power exchanges. A proposed rate of around 1.5 paise per kWh per side (about 3 paise total) would replace the current ~4 paise per kWh, with talks also on a 1.25 paise/unit cut for the term-ahead market. Analysts say IEX could face margin compression if fees are pared, even as volumes remain robust; other exchanges may have room to undercut pricing, softening pricing power. A move to simpler, lower fees could improve transparency and eventually level the field across platforms once market coupling takes hold. IEX traded near ₹136 intraday, having touched a 52-week low around ₹130.35, with declines over six months and YTD.
BHP Group Ltd Stock in 2026: China Steel Curbs, Copper Rally, and Iron Ore Outlook
December 26, 2025, 12:45 AM EST. As of Dec 26, 2025, BHP navigates a copper rally and a China-led iron ore backdrop. ASX:BHP last closed at A$45.62 on Dec 24; the U.S. ADR was $60.87 as holiday-thinned trading persisted. China pledged to extend crude steel-output controls into 2026-2030, tightening seaborne iron ore demand and pricing. In 11 months of 2025, steel output fell 4%, with annual volumes likely below 1 billion tons for the first time in six years. A 2026 contract standoff with CMRG persists; mills shifted toward Rio Tinto's PBF while Jimblebar fines stockpiles accumulate at ports. Negotiations remain ongoing, and investors will watch policy and supply terms into early 2026.
Sensex, Nifty decline in early trade as FIIs pull out amid thin holiday volumes
December 26, 2025, 12:44 AM EST. Indian equity benchmarks slipped in early trade on Friday as foreign fund outflows kept sentiment fragile amid thin holiday volumes. The Sensex fell 183.42 points to 85,225.28, while the Nifty declined 46.45 points to 26,095.65. Among the 30 Sensex components, laggards included Bajaj Finance, Sun Pharma, Eternal, Tata Steel, Tata Consultancy Services, and Bharti Airtel; gainers included Bharat Electronics, Titan, Infosys, and UltraTech Cement. FIIs offloaded ₹1,721.26 crore on Dec 24, with DIIs buying ₹2,381.34 crore. Analysts say the market may consolidate around current levels in the absence of fresh triggers. Brent crude rose 0.11% to $62.31/barrel. Asian peers were mixed; US markets were closed for Christmas. Published Dec 26, 2025.
Northern Star Resources (NST) Stock: Boxing Day Pause as Gold Soars to Record Highs and 2026 Catalysts Loom
December 26, 2025, 12:43 AM EST. Boxing Day trading disruption leaves NST investors relying on the 24 Dec close of A$27.01 as the latest action. The ASX was shut on 26 Dec, while gold prices surged to fresh records near US$4,530/oz on safe-haven demand and bets on further Fed rate cuts. Earlier, NST jumped around 4.07% to A$26.87 on 22 Dec amid broad materials strength. With price discovery occurring offshore, NST's near-term trajectory will hinge on FY26 guidance and other catalysts as the market reopens. The macro setup remains supportive for gold miners, but margins depend on costs, currencies, royalties, and hedging. NST's next move will be clearer once trading resumes in 2026.
US stock market open Friday, Dec 26, 2025: Nasdaq and NYSE trade normal hours after Christmas
December 26, 2025, 12:33 AM EST.NYSE and Nasdaq will operate on regular hours on Friday, December 26, 2025 (9:30 AM-4:30 PM ET). Although an executive order called for federal closures on 24 and 26 December, Wall Street did not observe an extra holiday and trading proceeds as usual. Christmas Eve saw an early close at 1:00 PM ET, but normal session times resume on 26 December. There are no remaining 2025 market holidays; the next is New Year's Day 2026. For investors, always check the official NYSE calendar for any last-minute adjustments.
Logan Paul to auction pristine $5.3M Pokémon Illustrator Pikachu as alternative asset gains traction
December 26, 2025, 12:32 AM EST. Logan Paul revealed on Fox Business that he will auction a PSA 10 Illustrator Pikachu card purchased for $5.3 million in 2022, highlighting a shift toward alternative investments as an investment option beyond the stock market. The 1997 Japanese promotional card holds the highest-grade status and recently set a Guinness World Record for the most expensive Pokémon card sold. Paul argues that Pokémon can outperform traditional markets, citing claims that this asset class has surged about 3,000% over the last two decades. He dressed the card in a diamond-encrusted case and noted his net worth around $150 million. The auction, scheduled for February, underscores how rare cards and franchises are becoming nontraditional diversifiers in portfolios, alongside stocks and crypto.
DXP:CA Long-Term Trading Outlook: AI Signals, Buy/Sell Plans
December 26, 2025, 12:30 AM EST. Today's note on DXP:CA outlines long-term trading plans: buy near 25.02 with a target of 25.79 and a stop at 24.89, and a complementary short near 25.79 with a target of 25.02 and a stop at 25.92. Updated AI-generated signals for the Dynamic Active Preferred Shares ETF (DXP:CA) accompany the analysis, with a Ratings snapshot: Near and Mid terms Neutral, Long term Strong. The piece emphasizes checking the data timestamp and reviewing the AI signals before acting. Traders are advised to align moves with risk controls, support/resistance levels, and AI-driven insights as part of a disciplined long-term strategy.
FTSE 100's Best and Worst Performers in 2025: Winners, Losers, and What Moves the Market
December 26, 2025, 12:29 AM EST. By mid-2025 the FTSE 100 has delivered a split performance: strong rises in energy, mining, and defensive names, and notable declines among cyclicals. The toughest losers faced higher valuations, headwinds from inflation and rates, and profit-taking. The brightest performers benefited from robust earnings, resilient dividends, and exposure to global growth. Market participants advocate rotation and diversification as themes, keeping a close eye on policy signals, commodity prices, and economic data. Overall, the year has underscored how valuation discipline and quality balance sheets can shield portfolios, while the broader trend remains sensitive to macro developments and global growth expectations. Investors should stay nimble as the index tests resistance and support levels.
ASX Closes for Boxing Day as Global Markets Rally and Gold Hits Fresh Highs
December 26, 2025, 12:27 AM EST. Australia's stock market is on holiday for Boxing Day, with both the ASX cash equities and ASX 24 derivatives shut. Investors watch offshore signals as global markets rally and gold and other commodities push to fresh highs. The ASX 200 finished the week up 1.6% to 8,763 after a 0.4% drop on Christmas Eve. Sector rotation showed weakness in financials even as mining led gains on copper's record prices. With the next session not until Monday, December 29, traders will need to catch up to overseas moves. In Asia, Topix and China equities lifted, while liquidity remains thin as markets pause for holidays.
