The stock market is preparing for a shortened holiday week, with investors expecting lower trading activity. Historically, the last five trading days of the year and the first two of January have seen the S&P 500 index gain an average of 1.3%, known as the Santa Claus rally. The New York Stock Exchange will close early on Tuesday for Christmas Eve and remain closed on Wednesday for Christmas Day. Market participants are hopeful that this seasonal trend will boost stock prices as the year comes to an end.
Japanese automakers Nissan and Honda are in discussions about a potential merger. This move is a response to the intense competition in the electric vehicle market and the need for innovation in new technologies. If the merger goes ahead, it would create the world's third-largest automaker by sales. Mitsubishi, which has a strategic partnership with Nissan, has also been invited to join the new entity, with a decision expected by the end of next month. Honda's CEO, Toshihiro Mibe, has emphasized that while the two brands would share resources, their individual identities would be maintained.
Congress has passed a stopgap spending bill, signed by President Joe Biden, to avoid a government shutdown. This bill will maintain federal government spending at current levels for the next three months and provide additional disaster relief and farm aid. The passage of this bill followed a week of political maneuvering and criticism from notable figures such as Elon Musk and Donald Trump. Their objections led to a last-minute scramble to finalize the spending plan, drawing criticism from Democratic lawmakers.
A company in the cryptocurrency industry, has had a successful year on the stock market due to a political landscape that has favored its business model. The company has been accumulating bitcoin reserves and has become one of the few institutional avenues for bitcoin investment. As the price of bitcoin surged, MicroStrategy's stock saw a significant increase, making it one of the top performers among U.S. tech companies valued at $5 billion or more. Michael Saylor, the company's founder, noted that the recent election year has energized the crypto community, sparking enthusiasm that had previously been dormant.
From media executives about the media landscape in 2025. These predictions reflect the ongoing transition within the industry as consumers move away from traditional cable services. The executives' insights cover various topics, including the future of Disney CEO Bob Iger's succession and the prospects for major players like Comcast and The Washington Post. These predictions highlight the challenges and opportunities that the media sector will face as it adapts to changing consumer behaviors and technological advancements.