With a new trading week comes new opportunities. So, we’ve gathered insights for the week ahead that highlight the current trends, scheduled events and potential movers to watch. Let’s get started.   

Calendar Events  

UK Q3 GDP – Dec. 22 
Canada GDP – Dec. 23 
US Preliminary Q3 GDP – Dec. 23 
US Industrial Production – Dec. 23 
US CB Consumer Confidence – Dec. 23 
Japan Tokyo CPI – Dec.26 

Top Things to Watch  

Will 2025 Deliver a Santa Claus Rally? 

A Santa Claus rally describes a period of above-average stock gains during the last five trading days of December and the first two of January. 

These rallies are often fueled by lighter institutional activity, thin liquidity, tax-loss harvesting followed by dip-buying, year-end bonuses, and positive investor sentiment. Together, these factors can amplify short-term market moves. 

While the S&P 500 surged 23% in 2024, the market failed to rally during the year-end period. That makes 2025 a fresh test of whether seasonal patterns re-emerge, though history is no guarantee. 

Since 1980, this window has produced positive returns 73% of the time, with the S&P 500 averaging a 1.1% gain, reminding investors that the season can at times help market sentiment. 

Source: Investing.com 

UK GDP in the Spotlight 

UK Q3 GDP will be in focus after recent monthly data showed the economy slipping into a mild contraction, highlighting fragile growth momentum at a time of weak activity and tighter financial conditions, while investors assess whether recent fiscal measures will add further strain or help support the recovery ahead. 

Why is Gold trending?  

Gold remained close to record highs, heading for a second weekly gain as softer US inflation boosted expectations of Fed rate cuts. November CPI slowed to 2.7%, reinforcing easing price pressures, despite data disruptions from the federal shutdown. Markets price a 25% chance of a January cut and near certainty by April, while geopolitical tensions added support. Gold is up 65% this year, its strongest annual gain since 1979. 

Gold 4H Chart / Source: TradingView 

US Growth, Factories & the Consumer in Focus 

Markets will get a crucial snapshot of the US economy on Tuesday as preliminary Q3 GDP reveals how fast growth is really running, Industrial Production shows whether factories are gaining or losing momentum, and Consumer Confidence highlights the mood of US households, together shaping expectations for economic strength and the Fed’s next policy moves.