Market Signal Briefing

The Zacks Transportation-Services industry is operating in a difficult environment, pressured by weak freight rates, persistently high inflation and ongoing supply-chain disruptions. Adding to these headwinds are tariff-related uncertainties and geopolitical tensions, which continue to pose significant challenges for the industry.

 However, despite these near-term concerns, there is an underlying case for long-term optimism. Supported by strong fundamentals, companies such as Expeditors International of Washington (EXPD - Free Report) , C.H. Robinson Worldwide (CHRW - Free Report) and ZTO Express (Cayman) (ZTO - Free Report) appear well-positioned to navigate current obstacles and capitalize on opportunities when industry conditions improve.

About the Industry
The companies belonging to the Zacks Transportation-Services industry offer transporters, logistics, leasing and maintenance services. Some industry players focus on the business of global logistics management, including international freight forwarding. Third-party logistics entities provide innovative supply-chain solutions. They also focus on services like product sourcing, warehousing and freight shipping. These companies have expertise in trucking, air and ocean transportation. Some players in this industry deliver domestic and international express delivery services. The well-being of the companies in this industrial cohort is directly proportional to the health of the economy. An uptick in manufactured and retail goods, favorable pricing and improvement in global economic conditions bode well for industry participants.

3 Trends Shaping the Future of the Transportation-Services Industry
Freight Downturn Persists: Although economic activities picked up from the pandemic gloom, lingering supply-chain disruptions continue to dent stocks in the industry. Below-par freight rates are also hurting the industry’s prospects. Highlighting the weak freight demand, the Cass Freight Shipments Index declined 7.6%  year over year in November. This measure has deteriorated year over year each of the past nine months, which confirms the overall declining trend.

Rising Cost Pressures Erode Margins: The industry is grappling with persistent cost inflation, ranging from labor shortages to increased expenses for equipment and services. Maintenance costs are climbing at a time when commodity prices remain volatile, squeezing profitability for producers. Unless inflationary pressures ease, margins of the industry players could narrow further, leaving less flexibility for shareholder distributions or reinvestment.

Fed Rate Cuts May Signal Some Relief: In December, the U.S. Federal Reserve cut interest rates for the third time in 2025. The 25-basis-point rate cut signals a further shift toward monetary easing. The rate cuts in the past year imply good news for Transportation service providers, as lower interest rates bring down borrowing costs, boosting economic growth.

Zacks Industry Rank Indicates Dull Prospects
The Zacks Transportation - Services industry is a 17-stock group within the broader Zacks Transportation sector. The industry currently carries a Zacks Industry Rank #166, which places it in the bottom 32% of 243 Zacks industries.

The group’s Zacks Industry Rank, the average of the Zacks Rank of all member stocks, indicates dismal near-term prospects. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1.

The industry’s position in the bottom 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries is a result of a negative earnings outlook for the constituent companies in aggregate. Looking at the aggregate earnings estimate revisions, it appears that analysts are gradually losing confidence in this group’s earnings growth potential. The industry's earnings estimate for 2026 has decreased 28.3% year over year.

Before we present a few stocks from the industry that you may want to retain or buy, let’s take a look at the industry’s recent stock market performance and the valuation picture. 

Industry Lags the S&P 500 but Outperforms Sector
The Zacks Transportation-Services industry has underperformed the Zacks S&P 500 composite while marginally surpassing the broader Transportation sector in a year.

The industry has improved 3.3% over this period compared with the S&P 500's appreciation of 16.9% and the broader sector’s uptick of 1.3%.

One-Year Price Performance

Industry's Current Valuation
Based on the forward 12-month price-to-sales, a commonly used multiple for valuing transportation services stocks, the industry is currently trading at 1.46X compared with the S&P 500's 5.6X. The value is higher than the sector's trailing 12-month P/S of 1.31X.

Over the past five years, the industry has traded as high as 3.01X, as low as 1.38X and at the median of 1.92X.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (F12M)

 
3 Transport Services Stocks to Keep an Eye on Now
Expeditors, a leading third-party logistics provider, is based in Seattle, WA. It currently sports a Zacks Rank# 1 (Strong Buy). EXPD’s earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the last four quarters by an average of 13.9%.

While weak volumes (concerning air-freight tonnage and ocean containers) stemming from soft demand and declining rates are hurting EXPD’s performance, efforts to cut costs in the face of demand weakness are driving the bottom line.

  You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. 

Price and Consensus: EXPD

ZTO Express is a leading player in the field of express delivery in China. This Shanghai-based company went public in 2016. ZTO Express and its network partners provide domestic and international express delivery services. Other value-added services supplement the offerings. In China, it mainly focuses on providing express deliveries of parcels, which mostly weigh below 50 kilograms. The expected delivery time ranges from 24 hours to 72 hours.

ZTO Express sports a Zacks Rank #1. The company has a long-term earnings growth expectation of 3.1.

Price and Consensus: ZTO

C.H. Robinson, currently carrying a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), operates as an asset-light logistics player. Efforts to control costs bode well for this freight broker. Measures to reward CHRW's shareholders bode well. CHRW’s liquidity position is encouraging, too.

CHRW’s earnings have surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the past four quarters. The average beat is 10.4%.

Price and Consensus: CHRW

Key Takeaways APH shares soared 96.4% in 12 months on strong portfolio and acquisitions.
APH expects 2025 revenues of $25.56B and EPS of $4, driven by datacom, defense, and industrial growth.The pending CCS deal APH for expansion in fiber optic and interconnect markets.

Amphenol (APH - Free Report) shares have jumped 96.4% in the trailing 12 months, outperforming the Zacks Computer and Technology sector’s return of 22.6%. The company’s expanding portfolio of fiber optic, power, antenna and sensor technologies continues to gain traction across datacom, aerospace and defense markets. APH’s strategy of expanding business through acquisitions has been a key catalyst.

The company has outperformed peers, including TE Connectivity (TEL - Free Report) , Corning (GLW - Free Report) and Belden (BDC - Free Report) in the past year. Shares of TE Connectivity, Corning and Belden have returned 62.6%, 87.5% and 1.4%, respectively, over the same timeframe.

APH Stock’s Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

These factors justify a premium valuation as suggested by a Value Score of F.

In terms of the forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E), APH is trading at 34.93X, higher than the broader sector and peers. The broader sector is trading at 27.78X while TE Connectivity, Corning and Belden trade at 21.61X, 29.97X and 14.73X, respectively.

APH Stock’s Valuation
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Technically, APH is currently trading above the 50-day and the 200-day moving averages, indicating a bullish trend.

APH Stock Trades Above 50-Day & 200-Day SMAs
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Diversified End-Markets to Aid APH’s Top-Line GrowthDiversified end-market bodes well for APH’s top-line growth prospects. The company expects fourth-quarter 2025 defense and commercial aerospace end-market sales to grow mid-single-digit on a sequential basis, respectively. Industrial sales are expected to grow at a moderate level on a sequential basis in the fourth quarter of 2025 and roughly 20% for 2025. Automotive sales are expected to grow in the mid-to-high single-digit range from 2024, while mobile device market sales are anticipated to grow in the low single-digit range from 2024. IT Datacom sales are expected to more than double from 2024 to 2025.

Rising AI workloads and cloud infrastructure upgrades are fueling demand for high-speed interconnects. This momentum is expected to support APH’s Communications Solutions segment. Electrification in transportation and rising electronic content in medical devices are driving the adoption of Amphenol’s cable assemblies and sensor-based systems. These drivers are expected to support steady growth in the Interconnect and Sensor Systems segment.

Amphenol continues to expand its portfolio and market reach through targeted acquisitions across communications, medical and defense verticals. Plethora of acquisitions — Trexon, Rochester sensors, CIT, Lutze, CommScope’s Andrew business, LifeSync, Narda-MITEQ, XMA, Q Microwave, Rochester sensors and others — have been driving Amphenol’s prospects. CIT acquisition benefits the commercial aerospace end-market, with 2025 sales expected to increase in the high 30% range from 2024. The Rochestor sensors’ acquisition expands APH’s offering in the industrial market. The Andrew business is benefiting the communications end-market sales, with 2025 sales expected to jump more than 130%.

The pending acquisition of CommScope’s Connectivity and Cable Solutions (“CCS”) business will expand Amphenol’s interconnect product capabilities in the fast-growing IT datacom market. The CCS acquisition will diversify Amphenol’s broad portfolio of fiber optic and other interconnect product solutions in the communications networks and industrial markets. The CCS business is expected to have sales and EBITDA margins of $3.6 billion and 26% in 2025, respectively, and is expected to close in the first quarter of 2026.

Strong Liquidity to Boost APH’s Growth TrajectoryAmphenol generates solid cash flow, which allows management the opportunity to invest in product innovations, acquisitions and business development. In the third quarter of 2025, operating cash flow was $1.47 billion or 117% of net income, whereas the free cash flow was $1.215 billion or 97% of net income.

Total liquidity at the end of the third quarter was $10.9 billion, including cash and short-term investments on hand of $3.9 billion plus availability under Amphenol’s existing credit facilities. Net debt was $4.2 billion, and APH had no outstanding borrowings under its revolving credit facility or its commercial paper programs. The improved balance sheet is expected to help APH pursue further acquisitions and continue shareholder-friendly initiatives. In the third quarter of 2025, the company returned $354 million through dividends and share buybacks. It raised its quarterly dividend by 52% to 25 cents per share to be payable beginning January 2026.

APH’s 2026 Earnings Estimate Revision Shows Positive TrendThe Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 earnings is pegged at $4 per share, up three cents over the past 30 days and indicating 21.4% growth from 2025’s consensus estimate of $3.29 per share. The consensus mark for 2026 revenues is pegged at $25.56 billion, suggesting 12.4% growth from the 2025 figure of $22.74 billion.
 

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for first-quarter 2026 earnings is pegged at 85 cents per share, unchanged over the past 30 days and indicating 34.9% growth over the year-ago quarter’s reported figure. The consensus mark for first-quarter 2026 revenues is pegged at $5.94 billion, suggesting 23.4% growth from the year-ago quarter’s reported figure.

ConclusionAmphenol’s diversified end-market exposure, expanding interconnect portfolio and strong acquisition execution continue to support solid growth visibility. These factors justify a premium valuation.

APH currently has a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) and a Growth Score of B, a favorable combination that offers a strong investment opportunity, per the Zacks Proprietary methodology. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

HomeStock IdeasLong IdeasIndustrial 

SummaryAxon remains a wide-moat, high-quality compounder with robust growth prospects despite a recent 35% pullback from highs.Short-term margin compression from tariffs and R&D spending is manageable; AXON raised full-year revenue guidance to $2.74B and reaffirmed 25% EBITDA margin.AXON's integrated AI-driven ecosystem, sticky software, and large proprietary datasets underpin its competitive advantage and long-term value creation.Valuation is demanding, but position sizing and opportunistic buying on further pullbacks offer prudent exposure to AXON's compounding potential.The Data Driven Investor members get exclusive access to our real-world portfolio. See all our investments here » style-photography/iStock via Getty Images

Axon Enterprise, Inc. (AXON) has created enormous wealth for shareholders over the past decade; the stock is up almost, 3250% in that period.

In the short term, however, Axon is down more than 35% from its highs of the year because profit margins

Analyst’s Disclosure:I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of AXON either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

MILWAUKEE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Strattec Security Corporation (Nasdaq: STRT) President and CEO to Participate in CES Panel on AI and OEM-Supplier Collaboration.

, /PRNewswire/ -- 

Second consecutive quarter of total sales increases in 2025
December total sales increase 4% year over year 
Jeep® posts its best December retail sales in three years and delivers year-over-year total sales growth in the U.S., based on full calendar-year results 
Ram brand retail sales increase 17% for calendar year; reveals 1500 SRT TRX and Power Wagon Jan. 1 
Dodge Durango has best total sales year since 2005, up 37% year over year  
Chrysler minivan total sales are up 32% Q4 2025 compared to Q4 2024 
Company investment of $13 billion over four years to launch five new products plus 19 additional product actions powers long-term growth strategy 

FCA US LLC reports sales of 332,321 vehicles in the fourth quarter, the second consecutive quarter in 2025 of sales increases in the U.S. Overall, total fourth-quarter U.S. sales increased 4% versus the same period in 2024. In December 2025, the company sold 121,170 total vehicles, growing 4% compared to the same month the prior year.  

"With consecutive quarterly sales increases and market share growth, it's clear that we are taking the right steps to reset our business in the U.S.," said Jeff Kommor, head of U.S. retail sales. "There is still work to do, but we made progress this year with a diversified powertrain lineup, highlighted by the return of the HEMI® to the Ram 1500, the all-new Jeep® Cherokee hybrid and the all-electric Jeep Recon. We ended 2025 on a high note and will keep that momentum in 2026 with five new models entering the showrooms now: Jeep Cherokee, Recon, refreshed Grand Wagoneer and Grand Cherokee and the Dodge Charger SIXPACK."

In October, the company announced a $13 billion investment over four years in the U.S. This largest single investment in its 100-year history will expand U.S. production by 50% with five new vehicle launches and 19 product actions, adding more than 5,000 new direct jobs at plants in Illinois, Ohio, Michigan and Indiana. 

For the full 2025 calendar year, the company reports total sales of 1,260,344 vehicles, a decrease of 3% year over year. 

Sales Highlights

Jeep:

Wrangler has its best December retail sales since 2021, helping propel Q4 2025 sales up 3% over Q4 2024 
Grand Cherokee has its best December retail sales since 2021 and is up 2% in December 2025 versus 2024 
Gladiator Q4 total sales are up 93% year over year  
Wagoneer sees 67% increase in total sales Q4 2025 over Q4 2024 
Better equipped and better priced, Jeep SUVs deliver features customers want most, strategically placing the right Jeep content where it matters in the lineup 
Accelerated momentum with four new launches in four months, part of a $3.2 billion investment that introduced the 2026 Cherokee turbo hybrid, refreshed Grand Cherokee and Grand Wagoneer and the all electric Recon 
New 2026 Cherokee, Grand Wagoneer and Grand Cherokee began shipping to dealerships 

Ram: 

Best December for total sales since 2021, up 6% year over year 
1500 total sales are up 23% in Q4 versus the same period in 2024  
Year-over-year retail sales improve across all nameplates: light duty 27%; heavy duty 7%, chassis cab 11% and ProMaster 9% 
1500 HEMI V-8 eTorque and Ram 2500 Heavy Duty named finalists for North American Truck of the Year 
On Jan. 1, the brand revealed the return of 1500 SRT TRX with the 6.2-liter supercharged HEMI V-8 and the first Power Wagon with the 6.7-liter Cummins High-Output (HO) turbo diesel 

Dodge: 

Durango has best quarter of 2025 with retail sales increase of 34% over Q3 2025 and total sales up 114% compared to Q4 2024  
Charger SIXPACK production began at the Windsor (Canada) Assembly Plant in December 
Charger SIXPACK named the TopGear.com vehicle of the year in the U.S., Detroit News 2025 Vehicle of the Year while the multi-energy lineup wins the 2026 Detroit Free Press Car of the Year 
Charger SIXPACK also named a finalist for the North American Car of the Year awards 

Chrysler: 

Minivan retail sales increase 12% in the second half of 2025 versus the first half 
Chrysler brand retail sales show four months of consecutive growth 
In 2025, the brand celebrated a century of being at the forefront of automotive innovation, redefining mobility through iconic design, engineering breakthroughs and unwavering commitment to customers 

FIAT: 

500e has 18% increase in total sales year over year 
500e is named the 2026 Urban Green Car of the Year, the third consecutive year receiving the award from the Green Car Journal 
Announced Topolino will be available in the U.S. in 2026, the company's first U.S. entrant into the growing micromobility segment  

Alfa Romeo: 

Debuts 2026 Tonale and 33 Stradale at the Los Angeles Auto Show 

FCA US LLC is a North American automaker based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. It designs, manufactures, and sells or distributes vehicles under the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, FIAT and Alfa Romeo brands, as well as the SRT performance designation. The company also distributes Mopar and Alfa Romeo parts and accessories. FCA US LLC is a subsidiary of Stellantis N.V.

For the methodology of determining FCA US LLC monthly sales click here. These statements are based on current expectations and projections about future events and, by their nature, are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties. They relate to events and depend on circumstances that may or may not occur or exist in the future and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on them. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed in such statements as a result of a variety of factors, including: volatility and deterioration of capital and financial markets, changes in commodity prices, changes in general economic conditions, economic growth and other changes in business conditions, weather, floods, earthquakes or other natural disasters, changes in government regulation, production difficulties, including capacity and supply constraints, and many other risks and uncertainties, most of which are outside of our control. U.S. fleet business includes three channels, rental, governmental and commercial.  

Stellantis North America
Stellantis (NYSE: STLA) is a leading global automaker, dedicated to giving its customers the freedom to choose the way they move, embracing the latest technologies and creating value for all its stakeholders. Its unique portfolio of iconic and innovative brands includes Chrysler, Dodge//SRT, Jeep®, Ram, Alfa Romeo, FIAT and Maserati. In 2025, the company celebrates 100 years of influencing culture and contributing to the history of the automotive industry in the U.S. and Canada. For more information, visit www.stellantis.com.

Follow company news and video on:
Company blog: http://blog.stellantisnorthamerica.com
Media website: http://media.stellantisnorthamerica.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/Stellantis
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StellantisNA
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stellantisna
X: @StellantisNA
YouTube: http://youtube.com/StellantisNA 

Q4 Sales

Vol %

CYTD Sales

Vol %

Model

Curr Yr

Pr Yr

Change

Curr Yr

Pr Yr

Change

Compass

19,077

27,223

-30 %

101,997

111,697

-9 %

Wrangler

39,268

38,085

3 %

167,322

151,163

11 %

Gladiator

18,277

9,453

93 %

56,790

42,123

35 %

Recon

22

0

56

0

Cherokee

90

239

-62 %

527

2,839

-81 %

Grand Cherokee

55,861

55,209

1 %

210,082

216,148

-3 %

Renegade

27

664

-96 %

721

8,440

-91 %

Wagoneer

9,694

5,796

67 %

39,907

43,125

-7 %

Wagoneer S

438

133

229 %

10,864

231

4603 %

Grand Wagoneer

674

1,774

-62 %

5,133

11,959

-57 %

JEEP BRAND

143,428

138,576

4 %

593,401

587,725

1 %

Ram LD PU

60,875

49,312

23 %

204,139

187,013

9 %

Ram HD PU

50,798

55,142

-8 %

169,920

186,107

-9 %

TOTAL Ram PU

111,673

104,454

7 %

374,059

373,120

0 %

ProMaster Van

12,295

24,866

-51 %

57,591

65,869

-13 %

ProMaster City

1

1

0 %

20

50

-60 %

RAM BRAND

123,969

129,321

-4 %

431,670

439,039

-2 %

300

15

626

-98 %

574

5,295

-89 %

Voyager

3,983

1,266

215 %

15,792

12,033

31 %

Pacifica

31,642

25,737

23 %

110,006

107,356

2 %

CHRYSLER BRAND

35,640

27,629

29 %

126,373

124,683

1 %

Dart

0

0

6

1

Viper

0

0

0

1

Hornet

879

4,993

-82 %

9,365

20,559

-54 %

Charger

273

2,774

-90 %

2,141

34,754

-94 %

Charger BEV

346

0

7,421

0

Challenger

77

2,182

-96 %

1,800

27,056

-93 %

Journey

0

0

17

0

Caravan

0

0

9

2

350 %

Durango

26,751

12,487

114 %

81,168

59,357

37 %

DODGE  BRAND

28,326

22,436

26 %

101,927

141,730

-28 %

500

66

531

-88 %

1,141

970

18 %

500L

0

0

2

0

500X

18

211

-91 %

176

558

-68 %

FIAT BRAND

84

742

-89 %

1,321

1,528

-14 %

Giulia

198

596

-67 %

1,366

2,320

-41 %

Alfa 4C 

0

0

0

0

Stelvio

371

797

-53 %

1,872

3,162

-41 %

Tonale

305

646

-53 %

2,414

3,383

-29 %

ALFA ROMEO

874

2,039

-57 %

5,652

8,865

-36 %

FCA US LLC

332,321

320,743

4 %

1,260,344

1,303,570

-3 %

SOURCE FCA US LLC

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After a decade of Big Tech dominance that delivered strong returns to Nasdaq investors, the market may be setting up for a rotation. The WisdomTree U.S. SmallCap Dividend Fund (NYSEARCA:DES) offers a way to capture that shift while collecting income.

DES holds nearly $2 billion in assets and delivers a 2.5% yield by investing in dividend-paying small-cap companies. With just 3% exposure to information technology and heavy weightings in financials (25.6%), consumer discretionary (14.4%), and utilities (9.3%), the fund is positioned opposite the mega-cap tech stocks that have driven markets for years. The fund’s 0.38% expense ratio and moderate 28% portfolio turnover make it tax-efficient.

The Fed Pivot Could Unlock Small-Cap Value
Small-cap stocks are sensitive to interest rates, and Federal Reserve policy will be the primary driver of DES performance in 2026. Small companies typically carry more floating-rate debt than large-caps and rely heavily on bank financing. When rates fall, their borrowing costs decline immediately.

The Fed cut rates three times in late 2025, bringing the federal funds rate down from its peak. Market expectations point to one or two additional cuts in 2026, potentially bringing rates to 3% to 3.25% by year-end. This matters because many DES holdings are regional banks, utilities, and industrial companies that benefit directly from lower funding costs and improved credit conditions.

Watch the Fed’s quarterly Summary of Economic Projections and post-meeting press conferences. If officials signal confidence in inflation returning to target while unemployment remains stable, further rate cuts become more likely. Small-cap earnings growth is forecast to accelerate in 2026, and lower rates would amplify that trajectory.

Portfolio Construction: Income Now, Upside Later
DES’s top holdings reveal its dual mandate. Spire Inc (NYSE:SR), the fund’s largest position at 1.25%, is a Missouri-based natural gas utility yielding nearly 4% with a defensive beta of 0.68. Northwestern Energy, the third-largest holding, offers similar characteristics with a 4% yield and even lower volatility.

The fund also holds cyclical recovery plays like Macy’s (NYSE:M), the fourth-largest position. Trading at just 13x earnings and 0.26x sales, Macy’s represents the type of deeply discounted small-cap that could benefit if investors rotate away from expensive tech stocks. The contrast is stark: Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) trades at 37x earnings with a forward P/E of 33, while many DES holdings sit at half those multiples.

Monitor the fund’s distribution consistency through WisdomTree’s monthly fact sheets to track dividend coverage and changes in top sector allocations.

Consider SLYV for More Liquidity
The SPDR S&P 600 Small Cap Value ETF (NYSEARCA:SLYV) offers a compelling alternative with $4.1 billion in assets, more than double DES’s size. SLYV charges just 0.15% annually compared to DES’s 0.38%, and its larger asset base means tighter bid-ask spreads and better execution for larger trades. The fund yields nearly 2% less than DES but still respectable.

SLYV’s sector allocation is similar to DES, with 22.5% in financials and 16.8% in consumer discretionary. The main difference is execution cost and liquidity.

The Bottom Line
Federal Reserve rate policy will be a key factor determining whether small-caps become cheaper to finance. DES’s monthly distributions and sector allocations provide insight into whether the fund is capturing value as the market rotates away from stretched Big Tech valuations.

HomeStock IdeasLong IdeasHealthcare 

SummaryNovo Nordisk A/S launches oral Wegovy in the U.S. at aggressive introductory pricing, aiming to secure early market share and first-mover advantage.NVO faces imminent semaglutide patent expiry in China, triggering a wave of local competition and likely sharp margin compression in 2026.Novo’s China revenue, about 6.5% of total, is expected to decline, but U.S. oral GLP-1 ramp should offset regional headwinds.NVO trades at a forward P/E of 14.41x and 3.3% dividend yield, presenting a compelling valuation amid robust profitability and growth catalysts. Asia-Pacific Images Studio/E+ via Getty Images

Thesis Today, Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO) has launched a pill version of Wegovy in the U.S., the news that many investors were waiting for. They’re now offering a 30-day supply at just $149 for

Analyst’s Disclosure:I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

Key Takeaways Pre-markets Mixed to Start a New Trading Week"Jobs Week" Begins Wednesday with ADP & JOLTS, Concludes with BLS FridayQ4 Earnings Week Begins Next Week in Earnest
Monday, January 5th, 2026

At this early hour in pre-market trading, we’re mixed on major market indexes. The Dow is -46 points currently, the S&P 500 is +14, the Nasdaq +144 and the small-cap Russell 2000 +1 point. Over the past month of trading, we’re also mixed: the Dow and S&P 500 are up +1.2% and +0.55%, respectively, the Nasdaq -0.7% and Russell 2000 -0.02%.

We comb the last confetti out of our hair from holiday season and gear up for Q4 earnings, which begin next week with the big Wall Street banks like JPMorgan (JPM - Free Report) and Citigroup (C - Free Report) , as well as early reporting majors like Delta Air Lines (DAL - Free Report) . At that point, we’ll begin to have sone idea how strong the U.S. economy has performed in the final quarter of 2025.

Biggest News of the Week: Jobs Numbers
We like to call the first full week of the month “Jobs Week,” which typically — not always, such as when we have government shutdowns — bring us monthly tallies in both private and overall non-farm employment. On Wednesday, we begin with private-sector payrolls from Automatic Data Processing (ADP - Free Report) , which last month brought us negative -32K private-sector jobs, the worst number in nearly three years.

In fact, ADP payroll numbers have posted negative headlines in four of the last six months, averaging +10K new private-sector jobs filled per month over that time. Compare this with the previous six months’ +81K new private-sector jobs, which was no great shakes but at least covered the amount of monthly Baby Boomer retirees. Forecasts are for +45K new jobs having been created in the private sector for December.

Also on Wednesday are the November Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) numbers, which have bounced back over the previously reported two months, off summer lows around 7.2 million openings to 7.67 million in October. Job Quits sank to their lowest levels since April 2020 in October, +1.8%, signaling a level of employment insecurity among the American workforce.

On Thursday, Weekly Jobless Claims report. These have remained the outlier in labor data, with last week’s +199K diving to sub-200K for only the second time in the last two years. For a year or more we’d been supposing that older members of the workforce — the aforementioned Baby Boomers — were taking their pink slips as indications their retirements should begin immediately, but with the youngest Boomers now at traditional retirement age, we now expect these levels to be dwindling.

Continuing Claims sank back below 1.9 million in the last report, where we had been for literally half of 2025. Taken together, these jobless claims assert a perceived strength in American labor — or at least a reluctance on the part of companies to lay off staff. This notion is countered by news reports such as 14K layoffs at Amazon (AMZN - Free Report) and 16K at consumer goods giant Nestlé (NSRGY - Free Report) .

Friday’s Employment Situation report is the Big Kahuna, and may provide a “tie breaker” of sorts. Combining data collected from the U.S. Census Bureau and Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), we not only see a monthly snapshot of non-farm payroll adds including government jobs, but supply us with a fresh Unemployment Rate.

Let’s start there, as the Unemployment Rate is likely to capture some headlines late this week, especially if it comes in at +4.7%, as expected. This would be the highest level of unemployment since September of 2021, when the rate was shrinking rapidly month over month. November came in at +4.6% and the previously reported rate was +4.4% in September (the government shutdown had us skip October), so we would be interested in seeing a leveling-off of this metric in this week’s report.

Non-farm payrolls are projected to come in at +54K for December — suggesting a persistent weakness in American hiring, but at least not a negative headline, which we’ve seen in three of the past six months. Any surprise to the upside would likely be welcome by the market; on the other hand, a disappointing BLS report may be a way of increasing the odds for a Fed rate cut at the end of this month.

What to Expect from the Stock Market Today
Much of the day’s headlines will revolve around the U.S. invasion of Venezuela and its impact on commodities, most especially crude oil. At this hour, oil prices are up, as are gold and silver — hedges against risks to stock market equities. Meanwhile, bond yields have remained somewhat sanguine, with the 10-year currently sub-4.18%.

ISM Manufacturing numbers for December come out after today’s open, expected to tick up 10 basis points (bps) to +48.3% month over month. However, this still places manufacturing data beneath the 50 level, which is the demarcation point between growth and loss. ISM Services come out Wednesday, and are expected to reach +52.1%, +10 bps month over month.

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SKYX Board Member Converted an $835,000 Convertible Note at $2.20 per share SKYX is in Process of Expanding its AI Ecosystem Program and AI Future Offerings SKYX Announced Launch of its Patented Advanced SKYFAN and Turbo Heater in U.S.

Key Takeaways JBL has gained 58.1% over the past year, driven by secular growth and strong cash flow dynamics.Revenue for fiscal 2026 is projected at $32.4B, with EPS raised to $11.55 from the prior $11.00 outlook.JBL's AI-focused optical modules enhance performance without infrastructure changes.
Jabil, Inc. (JBL - Free Report) has soared 58.1% over the past year compared with the industry’s growth of 97.6%. It has outperformed peers like Flex Ltd. (FLEX - Free Report) but lagged Celestica Inc. (CLS - Free Report) over this period. While Flex gained 57.3%, Celestica surged 206.2%.

With a presence across 100 locations in 30 countries, Jabil is likely to gain from secular growth drivers with strong margins and cash flow dynamics. Moreover, its unmatched end-market experience, technical and design capabilities, manufacturing know-how, supply chain insights and global product management expertise have put it in good stead. Its extensive global footprint is further strengthened by a centralized procurement process, which, coupled with a single Enterprise Resource Planning system, aids customers with end-to-end supply chain visibility.

One-Year JBL Stock Price Performance

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

A Diversified Bouquet: JBL’s Key Growth CatalystJabil’s focus on end-market and product diversification is a key catalyst. The company’s target that “no product or product family should be greater than 5% operating income or cash flows in any fiscal year” is commendable. The diversification increases the reliability of the company’s earnings and revenues, thereby driving long-term returns for investors.

Jabil’s top line is expected to benefit from strength in AI data center infrastructure, capital equipment and warehouse automation markets. The company is likely to gain from the rapid adoption of 5G wireless and cloud computing in the long run. It is benefiting from solid demand in key end markets, diligent execution of operational plans and skillful management of supply chain dynamics. A large-scale portfolio of business sectors offers Jabil a high degree of resiliency during times of macroeconomic and geopolitical disruption.

JBL Offers Bullish GuidanceJabil has reorganized its internal structure to align its operations more closely with specific end markets. With this transition, the company aims to develop domain-specific expertise in core areas and become more responsive to market demands. This restructuring initiative is expected to position the company for long-term growth.

Management expects cloud and data center infrastructure, capital equipment and the digital commerce market to be the major growth drivers. For fiscal 2026, revenues are projected at $32.4 billion, up from $31.3 billion expected earlier. Non-GAAP earnings are expected to be $11.55 per share compared with earlier expectations of $11.00. The company is expected to generate more than $1.3 billion in adjusted free cash flow.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

AI Prowess: JBL’s X-FactorJabil's extensive manufacturing footprint and strong expertise position it as an ideal partner in the burgeoning AI/ML ecosystem. The company's commitment to providing unparalleled value to customers underscores its strategic importance in the optical module space. The company’s photonics-based optical transceiver modules are designed to fuel the AI/ML revolution, promise unparalleled performance and scalability, thanks to the collaborative efforts of industry giants.

The breakthrough technology leverages Intel Corporation's (INTC - Free Report) cutting-edge silicon photonics platform, renowned for its manufacturing efficiency and reliability. The collaboration sets a new standard for speed, efficiency and reliability in data transmission. Intel's volume-proven silicon photonics platform, with on-chip laser sources fabricated, tested and burned-in at wafer scale, ensures unparalleled reliability and simplicity in module integration. With a focus on reliability, scalability and performance, its optical transceiver modules are poised to drive significant advancements in data-intensive applications with considerable improvement in the bandwidth capacity of data center racks without requiring modifications to existing infrastructure.

Estimate Revision Trend of JBLThe Zacks Consensus Estimate for Jabil’s fiscal 2026 earnings has surged 12.4% to $11.55 per share over the past year, while the same for fiscal 2027 has increased 6.4% to $13.41. The positive estimate revision depicts bullish sentiments about the stock’s growth potential.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

End NoteJabil is bullish on its long-term prospects. The company is well-positioned to capitalize on growth opportunities in areas such as AI data center hardware, power and energy infrastructure, software-defined electric and hybrid vehicles, and healthcare. Strong margins and robust free cash flow are likely to enable continued investment in profitable growth and capital returns to shareholders.

Management believes that the company's strategic direction and financial strength will allow it to navigate current challenges better and emerge stronger, with a focus on high-potential sectors for future growth.

The uptrend in estimate revisions further portrays positive sentiments about the stock’s growth potential. JBL has a long-term earnings growth expectation of 14.8% and delivered a trailing four-quarter average earnings surprise of 8.2%. It has a VGM Score of A. Jabil sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

With a solid Zacks Rank and healthy fundamentals, Jabil appears primed for further stock price appreciation. Consequently, investors are likely to profit if they bet on this high-flying stock now.

Pi Network (PI) shed a part of its weekly profits but kept its price above $0.2100 on Monday, after a six-day recovery shadowed by a crypto market volatile spree caused by the ongoing US-Venezuela tussle.                                                                                           

Several market watchers and community members have been speaking about the launch of Pi Network’s Protocol v23 during the last quarter of 2025, an upgrade meant to improve transaction speed, security, and overall scalability. Protocol v23 adds Stellar Core v23.0.1 to remove transaction bottlenecks and to clean up the tainted trust the market has in the network. 

The network’s improvements could help streamline its network for developers and creators through decentralized applications (dApps).

Protocol v23 debuts Rust smart contracts 
One of the features Protocol v23 came with is the introduction of Rust-based smart contracts, which are now operational. These contracts help developers to deploy dApps directly on Pi Network for a variety of decentralized financial services and applications. 

The network team has confirmed plans to launch a decentralized exchange (DEX) in Q1 or Q2 2026, in tandem with Pi Network’s plan of becoming a settlement layer capable of handling high-volume and secure transactions. According to the Pi Core development team’s blog, the upgrade reduces the time required to finalize transactions to make them more reliable for retail  and institutions. 

Data from Santiment revealed that social dominance, measuring the network’s presence in crypto media, fell to 0.004% as social volume continued its decline. However, Pi coin’s trading volume reached nearly 18 million PI tokens, the highest since December 18.

Looking at the token’s technical indicators, Pi Network has struggled to extend beyond the 50-day exponential moving average (EMA) at $0.2174, coinciding with the December 19 high at $0.2177. 

An eventful weekend of the US attack on Venezuela caused Pi coin’s charts to form long wick candles, but a decisive close above $0.2174 this business week could see PI target the September 23 low at $0.2613, the current psychological resistance level. 

Momentum indicators including the Relative Strength Index (RSI) sit within bullish regions, and market watchers believe the token’s selling pressure has diminished enough for bulls to charge its price upwards to $0.3.

Pioneers prepare for January 134 million tokens unlock
Pi Network is slated to release over 134 million PI tokens into circulation, on the heels of a smaller December unlock of 8.7 million tokens that had minimal effects on its price and ecosystem. 

Some community members see the January unlock as a supply event and test of the network’s economic resilience that would see it thrive in the first quarter of 2026, away from the noise affecting the rest of the crypto market like US geopolitics. 

“January’s 134M PI unlock is more than a supply event; it’s a test of our ecosystem’s economic gravity. With over 215 apps and 15.8M Pioneers on Mainnet, our utility is ready to meet the challenge head-on,” wrote one Pi Network enthusiast.

Some traders and community members are tempering their expectations, still concerned over liquidity and selling pressure despite the fundamentals of Protocol v23, which may provide a counterbalance to short-term volatility if successful.

Pi Network annual recap bashed over muted price predictions for 2026
The Pi Network Core Team recently published its 2025 annual recap on its website blog page, noting the Open Network and PI token launch in February 2025, “a milestone achieved after more than six years of building Pi’s infrastructure and community.” 

Other initiatives the development team mentioned were AI integrations, Know Your Customer (KYC) progress, Pi App Studio release, Pi Network Ventures, Linux nodes, and community events such as the Q3/4 Hackathon, directory staking, and .pi Domains Auction.

The Core Team gave vague price projections for its token in 2026, a choice that Pioneers blasted as a lack of confidence in its utility in the future. “Pi Network in 2026 will be shaped by Pi’s long-term strategies and planning, in addition to Pioneers, developers, and partners building and using the ecosystem together,” the team wrote. 

Some users were frustrated over KYC delays and lack of accountability, saying it is “the slowest project in history,” and that its coin would be “trading at $0.001 by June.” 

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Walmart to Accept Bitcoin at Checkout, Opening Crypto Payments to 150 Million CustomersIn a landmark move for mainstream crypto adoption, retail giant Walmart has begun enabling Bitcoin payments at checkout through its OnePay Cash platform. 

As highlighted by leading on-chain metrics provider Coin Bureau, this development potentially brings Bitcoin into the hands of over 150 million Walmart customers, marking one of the most significant real-world use cases for cryptocurrency payments to date.

Walmart’s integration of Bitcoin payments signals a major shift in how global retailers are approaching digital assets. 

Rather than treating crypto as a speculative asset on the sidelines, Walmart is positioning Bitcoin as a practical payment option for everyday transactions, groceries, household goods, and essential items used by millions of people daily. This move bridges the long-standing gap between crypto innovation and real-world commerce.

OnePay Cash is a strategic on-ramp. By embedding Bitcoin payments into Walmart’s own financial ecosystem, the retailer removes friction for customers unfamiliar with crypto wallets or exchanges, enabling simple, intuitive BTC payments. 

This move normalizes Bitcoin as a seamless everyday payment method, arriving as whale accumulation signals growing institutional confidence.

Walmart’s Bitcoin move could ripple far beyond its stores. As a retail giant, its adoption sets a precedent, if Bitcoin payments prove efficient and user-friendly, other major retailers may follow, accelerating crypto acceptance across retail, e-commerce, and financial services.

Rising retail sentiment and adoption of Bitcoin could boost transaction volumes, liquidity, and network effects. While scalability and fees remain debated, major integrations like Walmart’s drive innovation and strengthen infrastructure.

For Bitcoin, Walmart’s checkout integration is a major stride toward its original vision as peer-to-peer digital cash. By reaching 150 million shoppers, Bitcoin moves beyond ‘digital gold’ into everyday use. In a world where traditional finance and crypto increasingly converge, this move signals that digital assets are no longer on the sidelines, they’re entering mainstream commerce.

ConclusionWalmart’s move to accept Bitcoin is a landmark for mainstream crypto adoption. By enabling seamless transactions for 150 million customers, it turns Bitcoin from a speculative asset into a practical payment tool. 

Therefore, this move sets a global precedent, showing that the future of commerce is digital, fast, and borderless, positioning Walmart at the forefront of a new era in everyday spending.

The new year opened on a strong note, with Bitcoin climbing to $93,000 after several days of gains. The bullish momentum spread across the broader crypto market, lifting altcoins and pushing many closer to their record highs.

Thus, BeInCrypto has analysed three such altcoins that have the potential to reach their all-time highs this week.

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Canton (CC)CC trades near $0.143, sitting just over 24% below its all-time high of $0.177 set on the first day of 2026. The altcoin remains within recovery range, with recent consolidation suggesting the market is gauging whether momentum can rebuild.

The Chaikin Money Flow continues to hold steady without a downtick, signaling sustained capital inflows. This stability indicates the holder’s conviction remains intact. Continued accumulation could support a rebound and help CC attempt a renewed push toward the $0.177 all-time high.

Want more token insights like this? Sign up for Editor Harsh Notariya’s Daily Crypto Newsletter here.

CC Price Analysis. Source: TradingViewDownside risk persists if bullish momentum fails to materialize. Premature selling could pressure the price toward the $0.133 support. A breakdown below this level would weaken the structure and invalidate the bullish thesis, shifting focus back to short-term downside risk.

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Pippin (PIPPIN)PIPPIN trades near $0.455 at the time of writing, positioning the altcoin for a potential rally in the coming week. Price remains capped by the $0.514 resistance, a level that has consistently limited upside attempts since late December.

The $0.514 barrier has stalled progress since year-end. PIPPIN’s all-time high, set on December 24, remains about 58% above current levels. The RSI holding above the neutral 50.0 mark signals strength. Broader market support could drive a move toward $0.600 and $0.720.

PIPPIN Price Analysis. Source: TradingViewSelling pressure remains the key downside risk. Continued distribution could extend the decline. A breakdown below $0.434 would weaken momentum and may push PIPPIN toward the $0.366 support, invalidating the bullish setup.

River (RIVER)RIVER formed its current all-time high at $19.28 on the second day of 2026. From current levels, the altcoin requires a 43% rise to revisit that peak. While notable, such a move remains achievable during periods of strong market momentum.

RIVER gained 11% today, trading near $13.64 at the time of writing. Holding above the $11.71 support strengthens its structure. With a strong 0.72 correlation to Bitcoin, continued BTC upside could propel RIVER toward the $19.28 all-time high.

RIVER Price Analysis. Source: TradingViewProfit-taking presents the primary downside risk. If selling pressure increases, RIVER may fall below the $11.71 support. A breakdown could send price toward the $8.39 level, which would invalidate the bullish thesis and shift focus to downside protection.

Journalist

Posted: January 5, 2026

Pepe [PEPE] has been on a tear, jumping 76% in a week! This revival happened during a huge patch of green that pushed most top memecoins firmly into the green.

Does this rally have real legs, or is it just the market slipping back into old habits?

Pepe steals the spotlight
Pepe’s surge came in just a few sessions, snapping out of consolidation. The move came so quickly, with the price breaking above a long-standing range and pushing to levels not seen in a long time.

Source: TradingView

The strength behind the rally is important. Volume surged with price, so this wasn’t a thin, low-liquidity spike. Momentum indicators also went high, with buyers clearly in control.

That said, the pace of Pepe’s climb has been aggressive. After such a rapid move, brief pauses or pullbacks wouldn’t be unusual.

Memecoins are back in favor!

Source: CoinMarketCap

Zooming out, memecoins as a group are off to a strong start in 2026. Top tokens have seen broad-based gains, per CoinMarketCap data.

Names like Dogecoin [DOGE], Shiba Inu [SHIB], Bonk [BONK], Floki [FLOKI], and dogwifhat [WIF] have all posted solid weekly returns. Money is in rotation, and Pepe’s is not a one-off pump.

Source: TradingView

The effect shows up in the bigger picture, too. The total memecoin market cap has jumped nearly 30% since the new year, adding over $10 billion in value in just days.

Is a memecoin season starting?
All of this pace is starting to show up in the Memecoin Dominance chart.

After late 2024, memecoins lost ground within the altcoin market, bottoming out in December 2025. The last time dominance dipped this far, it came just ahead of a powerful memecoin run.

Source: X

Now, the ratio is turning up again, with major names posting strong gains. While it’s far too early to call a memecoin season, the numbers are hard to ignore.

Final Thoughts

Pepe jumped 76% in a week; memecoins are back in focus for 2026.
The total memecoin market cap has surged $10 billion since the new year.

Mon, 5/01/2026 - 15:01

New trading pairs of major cryptocurrencies Avalanche (AVAX), Bitcoin Cash (BCH) and Uniswap (UNI) are set to be listed on Binance.

Cover image via U.Today

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by our writers are their own and do not represent the views of U.Today. The financial and market information provided on U.Today is intended for informational purposes only. U.Today is not liable for any financial losses incurred while trading cryptocurrencies. Conduct your own research by contacting financial experts before making any investment decisions. We believe that all content is accurate as of the date of publication, but certain offers mentioned may no longer be available.

Major crypto exchange Binance has revealed new listings at 2026's start. Notably, new trading pairs of major cryptocurrencies Avalanche (AVAX), Bitcoin Cash (BCH) and Uniswap (UNI) are set to be listed on the Binance platform.

In an announcement, Binance issued a notice on three new trading pairs set to be listed Jan. 6, 2026.

Binance says it will open trading for AVAX/USD1, BCH/USD1 and UNI/USD1 pairs Jan. 6 at 8 a.m. UTC in order to increase trading choices offered on Binance Spot and improve users’ trading experience. Binance also stated it will enable Trading Bots services for Spot Algo Orders of AVAX/USD1, BCH/USD1 and UNI/USD1.

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Binance to delist 14 margin pairsOn the set date that the AVAX/USD1, BCH/USD1 and UNI/USD1 trading pairs will be going live, Jan. 6, Binance will be performing delisting on 14 margin pairs.

In a recent announcement, Binance Margin said it will delist margin trading pairs Jan. 6 at 6 a.m. UTC.

The cross margin pairs affected are BCH/FDUSD, TAO/FDUSD, AVAX/FDUSD, LTC/FDUSD, SUI/FDUSD, ADA/FDUSD, LINK/FDUSD.

The Isolated Margin Pairs impacted are BCH/FDUSD, TAO/FDUSD, AVAX/FDUSD, LTC/FDUSD, SUI/FDUSD, ADA/FDUSD, LINK/FDUSD.

Binance Margin has already suspended isolated margin borrowing on the isolated margin pairs.

On Jan. 6 at 6 a.m. UTC, Binance Margin says it will close users’ positions, conduct an automatic settlement and cancel all pending orders on the aforementioned cross and isolated margin pairs, after which they will be removed from Binance Margin.

Users are urged to close their positions or transfer their assets from Margin Accounts to Spot Accounts before the delisting action to avoid losses.

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Anas Hassan

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Anas Hassan

Part of the Team Since

Jun 2025

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Anas is a crypto native journalist and SEO writer with over five years of writing experience covering blockchain, crypto, DeFi, and emerging tech.

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January 5, 2026

The Altcoin Season Index is approaching 40% as altcoin market capitalization reclaims $1.3 trillion, indicating that blue-chip altcoins like SOL and XRP may soon outperform Bitcoin, regardless of Bitcoin’s directional movement.

In a recent analysis shared by Joao Wedson, CEO of investment analytics platform Alphractal, he explained that the altcoin rally will materialize soon because many altcoins are already undergoing price stabilization, while BTC retains capacity for additional downside.

“We are seeing a setup similar to 2019 or 2022, when many altcoins failed to print new lows, while the Top 10 by market cap experienced much deeper drawdowns,” Wedson noted.

The Altcoin Season Index suggests that altcoins may soon outperform BTC, regardless of whether Bitcoin goes up or down.

This happens because many altcoins are already going through a price stabilization process, while BTC still has room for another downside move, as it remains… pic.twitter.com/1ibU7s6Rcx

— Joao Wedson (@joao_wedson) December 29, 2025
Wedson also revealed that whales are aggressively shorting Bitcoin despite the price breaking out of the $90,000 December range, while simultaneously going long on altcoins.

Source: Joao Wedson“That’s why some altcoins are pumping while most people have no clue what’s really going on,” he explained.

XRP and SOL Lead Recent Altcoin RecoveryOver the last 7 days, Solana has surged over 8% to break out of its downtrend while XRP pumped nearly 14% to reclaim the $2.00 price level and surpass BNB as the 4th largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization.

Analysts observed that XRP is now stabilizing following a prolonged downtrend, displaying early signs of base formation.

From a structural standpoint, XRP has already completed two major historical impulse cycles.

The first cycle into 2014-2015 and the second into 2017-2018 both topped after roughly 49-50 monthly candles, each accompanied by clear volume expansion.

Price action since the 2018 peak has been compressed within a multi-year descending triangle/contracting range, defined by falling resistance from the 2018 high and a rising structural base.

Source: TradingViewThis compression phase appears to have resolved upward in 2024-2025, with XRP maintaining above the long-term mean and consolidating rather than collapsing after the breakout. That behavior typifies a wave (III) to wave (IV) transition, not a macro top.

On a log scale, the projected trajectory targets a wave V expansion into the $5-$10+ zone, which would align with prior cycle extensions once XRP exits long-term compression.

Provided XRP holds above its long-term structural support and doesn’t re-enter the pre-2024 range, the dominant bias remains upward, with the next major move likely explosive rather than gradual.

Solana Dominates Transaction VolumeAccording to Nansen AI, Solana dominated 2025 transactions with approximately 6× more than BNB Chain.

This is reflected in SOL digital asset investment products, which finished 2025 with $3.56 billion in inflows, more than a 1,000% increase from 2024, when Solana recorded $310 million in inflows.

Global digital asset inflows reached US$47.2bn in 2025, just shy of the 2024 record. Bitcoin saw a 35% decline in flows, with inflows of US$26.9bn in 2025. Ethereum saw the most substantive gains, with inflows of US$12.7bn, up 138% YoY. XRP and Solana saw a rise of 500%…

— Wu Blockchain (@WuBlockchain) January 5, 2026
Analysts have now observed that SOL is breaking out of the October downtrend, and attention should focus on the asset as $200+ becomes increasingly probable.

The daily SOL/USDT chart displays a clear shift from a strong bullish structure into a corrective and distributional phase. Earlier in the year, Solana respected multiple bullish breaks as the price advanced from the lower demand region near $100-$120 into the $240-$260 area.

However, failure to sustain price within the upper rejection block around $260-$290 marked a major inflection point, confirming strong sell-side pressure at elevated levels and initiating a broader downtrend.

Source: TradingViewSince that rejection, market structure has flipped bearish, with repeated bearish breaks and lower highs forming beneath successive supply zones around $200, $180, and $160.

The most important detail currently is that price is reacting to demand, but without a confirmed bullish break of the structure yet.

Provided SOL remains below the nearby supply zone around $145-$160, any bounce will likely be corrective rather than trend-reversing.

A clean break and acceptance above that supply area would represent the first signal that downside momentum is weakening and could unlock pathways for recovery toward $180 and $200.

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Shiba Inu (CRYPTO: SHIB) is rebounding, with large holders controlling a dominant share of supply as prices recover.

CryptocurrencyTickerPriceMarket Cap7-Day TrendShiba Inu(CRYPTO: SHIB)$0.058729$5.14 billion+19.3%Dogecoin(CRYPTO: DOGE)$0.1469$24.7 billion+19.2%Pepe(CRYPTO: PEPE)$0.056751$2.84 billion+66%Trader Notes: Analyst Lyvo said SHIB has rebounded from its 2025 lows and appears to have cleanly broken its downtrend, signaling a potential market bottom.

The meme coin has started the year strongly, rallying more than 26% in under a week after a challenging 2025.

Crypto analyst Javon Marks noted SHIB has confirmed a breakout supported by bullish divergences, pointing to a possible trend reversal.

The setup targets a move of over 246%, with the $0.000032 zone emerging as the next major upside level if momentum continues.

CryptoPulse sees Shiba Inu is breaking out of its downtrend, with price pushing out of the descending channel and holding above former resistance, signaling a potential short-term trend shift.

If momentum holds, upside targets are $0.0000100–$0.0000112. A clean daily close below $0.0000075 would invalidate the bullish setup.

Statistics: Santiment data shows the top 10 Shiba Inu wallets now control nearly 63% of total supply, with the largest wallet alone holding about 41%, valued at roughly $3.3 billion.

The on-chain data platform also noted SHIB surged 13% on Sunday as meme coin momentum continues rotating across the market in early 2026.

Read Next: 

Dogecoin, Shiba Inu Extend New Year Gains, But Pepe, Bonk Top The Pack With Double-Digit Rally
Image: Shutterstock

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Downtime can have knock-on effects across decentralized finance and other onchain applications. Jan 5, 2026, 3:06 p.m.

Starknet, an Ethereum layer-2 rollup, is investigating an outage that has left the protocol temporarily offline for over 4 hours now.

“Starknet is currently experiencing downtime,” the project posted on X, adding that its team is “actively investigating the issue and working to restore full functionality as quickly as possible.”

STORY CONTINUES BELOW

Downtime can have knock-on effects across decentralized finance and other onchain applications, including stalled swaps, delayed withdrawals and difficulty updating positions.

Starknet did not immediately provide details on the root cause, estimated time to recovery or whether user funds were at risk.

CoinDesk reached out to the team for comment but did not hear back in time for publication.

The price of its native token, STRK, remains little changed according to CoinMarketCap, up at just 1.92% over the last 24 hours.

AI Disclaimer: Parts of this article were generated with the assistance from AI tools and reviewed by our editorial team to ensure accuracy and adherence to our standards. For more information, see CoinDesk's full AI Policy.

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KuCoin Hits Record Market Share as 2025 Volumes Outpace Crypto Market

Dec 22, 2025

KuCoin captured a record share of centralised exchange volume in 2025, with more than $1.25tn traded as its volumes grew faster than the wider crypto market.

What to know:

KuCoin recorded over $1.25 trillion in total trading volume in 2025, equivalent to an average of roughly $114 billion per month, marking its strongest year on record.This performance translated into an all-time high share of centralised exchange volume, as KuCoin’s activity expanded faster than aggregate CEX volumes, which slowed during periods of lower market volatility.Spot and derivatives volumes were evenly split, each exceeding $500 billion for the year, signalling broad-based usage rather than reliance on a single product line.Altcoins accounted for the majority of trading activity, reinforcing KuCoin’s role as a primary liquidity venue beyond BTC and ETH at a time when majors saw more muted turnover.Even as overall crypto volumes softened mid-year, KuCoin maintained elevated baseline activity, indicating structurally higher user engagement rather than short-lived volume spikes.View Full Report

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The Bitcoin price has rallied to the $93,300 resistance zone on weak volume, raising the risk of distribution and a potential corrective move toward lower support levels.

Summary

Bitcoin is testing strong resistance at $93,300 with multiple technical confluences.
The rally lacks volume, raising concerns about sustainability and distribution.
Failure to reclaim resistance could trigger a rotation toward $85,500 support.

Bitcoin (BTC) price has pushed higher in recent sessions, attracting bullish bids as price rotates into a major resistance region around $93,300. While upside momentum has carried BTC into the upper boundary of its recent value, the technical context suggests caution. This area aligns with multiple high-probability resistance signals, and the rally itself has occurred on relatively low volume.

As a result, the current advance may lack the strength needed for sustained continuation, increasing the probability of a distribution phase and a corrective move lower.

Bitcoin price key technical points

$93,300 is a high-confluence resistance: The zone aligns with the value area high, the 0.618 Fibonacci retracement, and daily resistance.
Low-volume rally raises sustainability concerns: Weak participation limits follow-through and favors rotation.
Downside rotation risk toward $85,500: Failure to reclaim resistance increases the odds of a pullback into lower support.

BTCUSDT (4H) Chart, Source: TradingView
The $93,300 region stands out as a technically dense resistance cluster. Price has rallied directly into the value-area high, where auctions typically slow and two-sided trading emerges. Adding to the significance, the 0.618 Fibonacci retracement sits within this zone alongside a high-time-frame daily resistance. When multiple resistance signals converge, markets often pause, reject, or transition into distribution rather than continue higher.

So far, Bitcoin has struggled to demonstrate decisive acceptance above this area. Instead of expanding away from resistance, price action has begun to stall, suggesting that buyers are encountering increasing supply.

Low volume signals distribution risk
A key concern with the current move is volume. The rally into resistance has occurred on below-average participation, which weakens the bullish case. Strong breakouts typically require expanding volume to confirm commitment from larger market participants. Without it, upside moves are more likely to fade.

Low-volume advances into resistance often precede lower-time-frame distribution, where price churns near the highs as stronger hands offload to late buyers. This behavior can result in sharp rotations lower once demand dries up. The current volume profile fits this risk scenario, particularly given Bitcoin’s proximity to a well-defined sell zone.

Market structure favors rotation without confirmation
From a market-structure perspective, Bitcoin remains vulnerable while trading beneath $93,300. Acceptance above this level would require sustained closes, expanding volume, and clear continuation—conditions that have not yet materialized. Absent those signals, the path of least resistance shifts toward mean reversion.

A rejection from the current zone opens the door for a rotational move back toward $85,500, a level that has previously acted as meaningful support. Such a move would be consistent with range behavior, allowing the market to rebalance liquidity after testing the upper boundary.

What would invalidate the bearish scenario?
While the resistance zone is strong, it is not impenetrable. For bulls to negate the distribution risk, Bitcoin must reclaim $93,300 with acceptance, evidenced by strong daily closes and an apparent uptick in volume, especially as renewed institutional demand emerges with BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF recording its largest inflow in three months.

A successful reclaim would flip prior resistance into support and increase the probability of continuation beyond the range highs. Until that confirmation arrives, rallies into this region should be treated cautiously. The market is signaling hesitation rather than strength, and the technical odds currently favor consolidation or a corrective pullback.

What to expect in the coming price action
As long as Bitcoin remains capped below $93,300, the technical outlook favors distribution and rotation rather than sustained upside. Weak volume and heavy resistance increase the likelihood of a corrective move toward $85,500.

A clean rejection would reinforce range dynamics, while acceptance above resistance with volume would be required to re-establish a bullish continuation bias.

TL;DR

Ethereum added roughly 292,000 new wallets per day following the Fusaka launch, marking the fastest adoption pace since the 2024 rally.
Fusaka reduced data costs at the base layer, lowering L2 operating expenses and accelerating address growth across DeFi, gaming, and consumer applications.
Ethereum climbed back to $3,200, and attention now turns to whether sustained L2 usage in 2026 confirms a structural impact from Fusaka.

Ethereum doubled its wallet creation rate after the Fusaka upgrade. Since its deployment in early December, the network has been adding close to 292,000 new addresses per day. According to Glassnode, this represents a 110% increase in just over a month. It is the highest level of user onboarding since the 2024 rally.

Fusaka introduced Peer Data Availability Sampling (PeerDAS), a technical change that reduces the cost of publishing data on the base layer and directly lowers the operating costs of Layer 2 solutions. Lower costs translate into higher activity and improved efficiency.

The Impact of Fusaka
The impact was concentrated primarily on Layer 2 (L2) solutions. By reducing operational friction, DeFi applications, gaming platforms, and consumer-facing products accelerated the onboarding of new addresses. Growth remained steady throughout December and continued into January, without sharp pullbacks or isolated spikes.

New address creation often precedes higher transaction volumes and deeper liquidity across the network. Not every wallet becomes an active user, but when the inflow persists for weeks, the pattern typically reflects effective use of the underlying infrastructure.

Fusaka also delivered another crucial signal for Ethereum: it was executed without interruptions or network failures. The upgrade was highly complex but did not introduce instability. For institutional firms, this point is critical, as it lowers technical risk and reinforces the viability of Ethereum’s L2-based scaling model.

Ethereum Approaches a Potential Short-Term Ceiling
Ethereum responded positively in the market. The token reclaimed the $3,200 level as on-chain metrics improved. Even so, supply data points to a potential short-term ceiling. A significant portion of the supply is held by investors who entered between July and October 2025 and are now near break-even levels. Further upside could trigger a wave of selling.

If wallet growth translates into higher transaction activity and sustained L2 usage during the first quarter of 2026, Fusaka will have delivered a structural impact on Ethereum, and current data points in that direction

TLDR:

Ethereum prioritizes preventing catastrophic losses over chasing incremental yield improvements daily.
The platform maintains functionality during crises when developers disappear or infrastructure providers fail.
Buterin defines sovereignty as reducing vulnerabilities to external dependencies that control access.
Decentralized blockspace remains scarce despite abundant computing resources available globally today.

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has clarified the network’s fundamental purpose in a recent statement. 

The blockchain pioneer emphasized that Ethereum was designed to liberate people rather than optimize financial systems. 

His remarks challenge conventional narratives about blockchain technology’s role in modern finance.

Resilience Takes Priority Over Marginal Gains
In his post on X, Buterin stated that “Ethereum was not created to make finance efficient or apps convenient.” Instead, he declared the platform “was created to set people free.” 

“Ethereum was not created to make finance efficient or apps convenient. It was created to set people free”

This was an important – and controversial – line from the Trustless Manifesto ( https://t.co/1F1Fe9OQPh ), and it is worth revisiting it and better understanding what it…

— vitalik.eth (@VitalikButerin) January 5, 2026

Buterin argued that Ethereum cannot compete with Silicon Valley corporations on efficiency metrics alone. Traditional tech companies excel at reducing latency and streamlining user experiences.

The platform focuses on resilience rather than chasing percentage-point improvements in yields. Buterin explained that resilience represents “the game where it’s not about 4.5% APY vs 5.3% APY.”

Rather, the focus centers on “minimizing the chance that you get -100% APY.” He noted that when users face deplatforming or infrastructure failures, their “2000ms latency continues to be 2000ms.”

Buterin posted on X that Ethereum’s strength emerges during crises and political instability. The network maintains functionality even “if the developers of your application go bankrupt or disappear.” 

Buterin emphasized that “anyone, anywhere in the world, will be able to access the network.” This accessibility remains constant even during internet cyberwar or Cloudflare outages.

Sovereignty Through Decentralized Infrastructure
The concept of sovereignty forms another pillar of Buterin’s vision for Ethereum. He distinguished this from traditional geopolitical sovereignty represented by “lobbying to become a UN member state.” 

Buterin explained that Ethereum delivers sovereignty “in the sense that people talk about digital sovereignty or food sovereignty.” This approach involves “aggressively reducing your vulnerabilities to external dependencies that can be taken away.”

Buterin explained that decentralized blockspace remains scarce despite abundant computing resources. He stated clearly that “blockspace is abundant,” but “decentralized, permissionless, and resilient blockspace is not.” The blockchain provides a foundation for “interdependence as equals, and not as vassals of corporate overlords.”

The Ethereum co-founder concluded that the network must prioritize core principles before pursuing scale. He stated that “Ethereum must first and foremost be decentralized, permissionless, and resilient block space.” 

Only after establishing this foundation can the platform “make that abundant.” These characteristics enable global participation without discrimination. The platform serves users who need reliable systems in unstable conditions.

Buterin’s statement reinforces Ethereum’s positioning as infrastructure for sovereignty rather than financial tools. The network’s value centers on guaranteed access and operational continuity. 

These features become relevant as geopolitical tensions and platform risks grow worldwide. The vision calls for commitment to foundational principles over performance metrics.

BTC may rally toward six figures, but an analyst warns that this move could be the final leg before a deep downturn.

Bitcoin (BTC) rose over 1.1% during Monday’s Asian trading session, as it extended its rally toward a fifth straight daily gain. Interestingly, this has been the longest winning streak since early October, as it briefly touched $93,000.

While BTC has defeated short-term bears, a liquidity crisis may still trigger a sharp crash, according to market experts.

Bitcoin Breaks the “Silver Line”
Crypto analyst Doctor Profit identified that Bitcoin has, for the first time in a month, broken above what he calls the “Silver Line.” This is a short-term resistance level that had rejected price advances five times previously. In a detailed weekend report, the analyst said that this breakout was followed by a clear retest and bullish confirmation, which he interprets as BTC defeating short-term bearish pressure and signaling readiness for a further move higher.

Doctor Profit found that this development aligns with his expectations over the past two months. After Bitcoin reached his earlier target of $80,000, he stated that upside levels between $97,000 and $107,000 were still possible before any continuation of a broader downside trend. He reiterated that he began buying BTC around $85,000, with the intention of selling those holdings within the $97,000 to $107,000 range. Based on current price action, he said the market now appears to be attempting this move.

As such, Doctor Profit explained that he is placing multiple short orders across the $97,000-$107,000 zone and described the strategy as dividing trading capital into multiple parts to place staggered short positions. The main aim is to achieve the best possible average entry price. He also said he is keeping earlier short positions from the $115,000-$125,000 range fully open, in case the market moves to those higher levels.

Despite acknowledging the near-term upside, the analyst asserted that he remains fully bearish on Bitcoin overall and continues to target prices below $70,000 in the coming months. He cited macroeconomic factors as crucial support for this view. One major concern highlighted was the Federal Reserve’s $106 billion in overnight repo lending to banks on New Year’s Day. He pointed to changes made to repo lending rules in September 2025, which increased potential liquidity access for individual banks, and called this a sign of deeper financial system stress.

Doctor Profit also said historical patterns show that periods of banking stress and liquidity shortages have often coincided with bear markets. He added that insider selling, pressure on banks, and stress linked to silver markets further reinforce his bearish outlook.

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Bigger Risk Ahead?
Market commentator Mr Wall Street also echoed a similar concern as he tweeted that BTC faces downside risk despite a possible short-term rally amidst geopolitical tensions involving Venezuela and macroeconomic stress. In his latest breakdown, he argued that markets are beginning to price in the risk of a broader global shock, which could pressure risk assets, including BTC.

While he expects a near-term relief rally designed to build liquidity, this move is likely temporary.

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ZCash (ZEC) holders have started unshielding coins. The ZEC vaults are emptying out, potentially signaling an exit from privacy assets. 

The previous trend of shielding ZEC tokens in high-privacy vaults reversed in the past weeks. Around 4.86M ZEC remain shielded, but some of the assets were quickly withdrawn. 

Shielded ZEC reflected the withdrawal of 202M coins by a single whale, coming from the deposits on the Orchard privacy pool. | Source: ZEC Dashboard
The value of shielding ZEC was supposed to bring a new era of privacy in decentralized finance. The rapid rise in shielding coincided with last year’s ZEC rally, which brought the asset back to levels not seen since 2018. 

ZEC whale unshields over 1% of the supply
In early January, a previous shielded holder removed over 200K ZEC, valued at over $100M, from the highest-security vault of ZCash. 

The whale’s holdings are still sitting idle and are now more traceable. The whale used a brand-new wallet with no other on-chain interactions or history. The whale previously shielded 1 ZEC as a test. 

The withdrawals from the high-privacy Orchard pool also follow a diminished supply in the Sprout and Sapling pools. Overall, the rush to shield more ZEC and use it as a DeFi asset has diminished. 

The whale’s ZEC can now be traded or used as a non-privacy asset, or shielded again if needed. The whale’s move also created concerns for potential selling pressure. 

ZEC expansion slows down
ZEC was among the top-performing altcoins in 2025, briefly causing a rally for all privacy assets. In the past week, ZEC slid to $492.51, down over 6.8%. Immediately following the large-scale unshilelding, the markets entered panic mode, pushing ZEC to a local low of $484.41. 

ZEC had a turbulent week, reacting to the news of a whale unshielding 1.2% of the coin’s circulating supply. | Source: Coingecko
ZEC open interest fell to $764M, down from its 2025 peak of nearly $1B. ZEC is also no longer aggressively shorted, with a more even split of open interest. 

Even after the recent market slowdown, ZEC remained the leading privacy coin by market capitalization. XMR consolidated around the $428 range, while most of the legacy private coins were in the red. 

For others, ZEC is still preparing for a breakout as soon as traders return in the post-holiday period. One Hyperliquid whale has already made the bet, with a large ZEC spot position and a sell limit order at $509. 

Based on the most recent liquidation heatmap, ZEC may dip lower to target the accumulated long positions. The asset may also meet resistance at around $520. The asset is trading with diminished mindshare, recently dropping by 67%, down to 0.3%. 

The ZCash community also relied on support from Solana influencers, as the privacy coin was also used in its tokenized form. 

ZEC supporters and influencers still drive the narrative of displacing BTC. ZEC is expected to outperform the market, even if BTC fails. Despite the ZEC dollar price slide, the asset is up more than 31% against BTC for the past month.

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Mon, 5/01/2026 - 13:43

Bitcoin just flashed a rare buy signal, called a "Hash Ribbon," as the price went past $93,000, with miners recovering and the network getting stronger than ever.

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Bitcoin just activated its first Hash Ribbon buy signal in over six months, as revealed by Charles Edwards. This miner-driven indicator has a track record of appearing near the start of longer uptrends.

The trigger comes as BTC reclaims the $93,000 zone after a bit of a comeback from its late-December lows around $81,000, and as the network's total hashrate pushes to an all-time high above 1.068 billion TH/s.

Source: Charles EdwardsOriginally developed by Charles Edwards himself, the Hash Ribbon signal is designed to track miner stress and recovery by comparing short- and long-term hashrate averages. When the 30-day moving average goes back above the 60-day, it usually means that things are shifting from miner capitulation — when inefficient operators shut down — to network stabilization. That crossover just finished, so it looks like the worst of the miner exits might be over.

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In the past, Hash Ribbon triggers have been a sign of price increases that lasted more than a month, like the ones the market saw before the 2020 surge to $65,000 and the 2023 drop from the $16,000 low.

New all-time high for Bitcoin in 2026The current backdrop is different, with the price of Bitcoin already well off the lows and trading inside a wide $81,000-$107,000 range. But the reappearance of the signal may still matter as a confirmation of trend health rather than a turning point.

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It also comes at a time when the market is becoming less chaotic and institutional investments through spot ETFs are staying consistent. This creates an environment where miner normalization could help strengthen the bullish outlook.

The key levels have not changed — $100,000 as the psychological magnet for Bitcoin, $107,000 as the resistance and $124,000 as breakout territory.

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On Monday, Strategy founder Michael Saylor revealed his firm had snapped up more bitcoin for the vault. The latest haul totaled 1,287 BTC, lifting the company's stockpile to a tidy 673,783 BTC. After teasing X followers on Sunday with a chart and the question “Orange or Green?”, Saylor confirmed the bitcoin purchase on Monday.