China’s economy closed the year with a modest improvement in momentum, as official data showed factory activity expanding in December for the first time since March, offering a positive surprise to markets and economists.

A $10M crypto robbery in France highlights rising asset-targeted crime fueled by data breaches and tighter reporting laws. With state data security failing, investors are urged to prioritize physical asset safety.

Nasdaq 100 continues moving sideways into year-end expiration, with Elliott Wave counts favoring a near-term dip before a Q1 2026 rally. An alternate bearish scenario remains if key support levels break sharply.

Russell 2000 Futures has broken to a new all‑time high, and this confirms that the broader trend remains bullish.

Entering the last trading week of the year, investors are certainly pondering where to put their money to work in 2026, and the financial sector may be at the forefront with the stock market near all-time highs.