Market Signal Briefing

Arthur Hayes, co-founder of cryptocurrency exchange BitMEX and Chief Investment Officer at Maelstrom Fund, predicted Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) might reach $750,000 by the end of 2027.

Is Money Printing The Key To Bitcoin’s Success?During an interview on CoinDesk aired on Tuesday, Hayes projected 2026-27 will be the “meat of the money printing,” which could potentially propel Bitcoin between $500,000 and $750,000.

“The Trump administration is going to do what they know how to do best. What every government knows how to do best: When in doubt, print the money,” Hayes argued.

Hayes has consistently stressed the importance of fiat liquidity growth, advising traders to consider the expectations and realities of money printing.

But he isn’t the only one. Popular cryptocurrency commentator and investor Anthony Pompliano also projected earlier this year that Bitcoin could soar due to massive money printing.

President Donald Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill," which critics believe could cause major fiscal expansion, has led several market analysts to point to Bitcoin as a potential long-term beneficiary.

See Also: Bitcoin (BTC) Price Predictions: 2025, 2026, 2030

Will 2026 Be The Calm Before The Storm?It’s worth reminding that Hayes set $250,000 as his year-end price target for 2025.

Meanwhile, Galaxy Research’s outlook anticipates a “boring” 2026 for Bitcoin before a surge to $250,000 in 2027. Galaxy also said that Bitcoin could mature into a macro-style asset in 2026, reducing the odds of the explosive rallies that defined earlier cycles.

Prominent cryptocurrency analyst Benjamin Cowen warned of a possible Bitcoin bear market bottom in October 2026.

Price Action: At the time of writing, BTC was exchanging hands at $88,797.03, up 1.51% in the last 24 hours, according to data from Benzinga Pro.

Read Next: 

The Real Reason Bitcoin Dropped Like A Stone From Its $126,000 All-Time High
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of Benzinga Neuro and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Photo courtesy: PV productions on Shutterstock.com

Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs

© 2025 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

TLDR: 

The Binance Bitcoin Scarcity Index has fallen to approximately -2.9, marking the lowest reading since 2021.
This extreme negative value indicates abundant supply relative to demand on Binance, despite elevated prices.
Historical patterns show similar extreme lows in 2021 preceded major structural shifts in Bitcoin distribution.
The reading suggests market activity is driven by liquidity and speculation rather than genuine supply tightness.

The Binance Bitcoin Scarcity Index has plunged to extreme lows, recording a reading of approximately -2.9 in recent trading sessions. 

This level marks the lowest point observed since 2021, signaling a notable shift in on-exchange supply dynamics. 

The extreme reading carries structural significance beyond typical market fluctuations, as similar depths were not reached even during severe corrections in previous cycles.

Extreme Negative Reading Reflects Unusual Market Conditions
The -2.9 scarcity index reading represents an unprecedented low for this market cycle. Binance data shows this extreme level surpasses the depths reached during previous aggressive sell-offs and market stress periods. 

The metric’s decline to such territory indicates a fundamental shift in how supply and demand interact on the platform.

This extreme negative value points to an abundant supply situation relative to current demand levels. Despite Bitcoin maintaining prices near recent highs, the scarcity index reveals underlying pressure from available supply.

Source: Cryptoquant

The divergence between stable pricing and extreme scarcity readings suggests liquidity factors dominate current market behavior.

Historical data confirms these extreme lows rarely appear outside of major market transitions. The current reading stands out as particularly severe when compared to measurements from 2022 and 2023. 

Binance’s exchange-specific data provides a window into supply conditions that broader market metrics may not capture.

2021 Comparison Offers Context for Current Extremes
The last time the Binance Bitcoin Scarcity Index touched such extreme lows occurred during the 2021 market cycle. 

That period preceded significant structural changes in Bitcoin’s distribution and holder behavior. The comparison highlights how rare these extreme readings are within multi-year timeframes.

During 2021, similar extreme scarcity lows coincided with major repositioning among market participants. Large-scale supply movements occurred as the market transitioned between different phases of the cycle. 

The current extreme reading may indicate a comparable repositioning phase is underway on Binance.

Market structure in 2021 eventually shifted from extreme negative scarcity toward tighter supply conditions. Exchange outflows gradually increased as holders moved Bitcoin off platforms into long-term storage. 

The timeline for such transitions varied, but the extreme scarcity lows marked the beginning of those shifts.

The Binance platform’s role as a major trading venue makes its scarcity index particularly relevant. Extreme readings on this exchange reflect conditions affecting a substantial portion of daily trading volume. 

Therefore, monitoring how long the index remains at these extreme lows will help determine whether current conditions represent a temporary anomaly or the start of a sustained supply dynamic shift similar to patterns observed following the 2021 extreme lows.

Brookfield's stock could be a lot higher five years from now.

Shares of Brookfield Asset Management (BAM +0.83%) have spent much of the past six months above $55 a share. However, the stock has dipped below that mark in recent weeks. As a result, its dividend now yields 3.3%, which is about three times higher than the S&P 500's level of 1.1%.

Here's a look at whether you should buy shares of the leading alternative investment manager at the current price or wait to see if they keep dropping.

Image source: Getty Images.

Lots of positives
Shares of Brookfield Asset Management have fallen from their peak even though it's having a strong year. The leading global alternative asset manager has grown its fee-related earnings by 19% over the past 12 months to $1.72 per share. The company has increased its fee-bearing assets under management (AUM) by 8% to $581 billion as more investors entrust Brookfield with their capital. Brookfield closed its second global transition flagship fund strategy in the quarter, raising a record $20 billion. It also closed its largest-ever real estate strategy fund at more than $17 billion.

In addition to these organic growth drivers, Brookfield has made several strategic investments to bolster its platform. The company and its parent, Brookfield Corporation, acquired the remaining 26% interest in Oaktree that they didn't already own, with Brookfield Asset Management funding about $1.6 billion of the $3 billion deal. Brookfield Asset Management also purchased a majority interest in Angel Oak, a leading asset manager focused on specialty mortgage and consumer credit solutions. Meanwhile, the company will become the investment manager for a significant portion of Just Group's portfolio after Brookfield Wealth Solutions bought the company.

Brookfield Asset Management also announced a strategic partnership with the U.S. Government to accelerate the deployment of nuclear energy. The government has committed to investing $80 billion in new nuclear plants across the country, utilizing technology from Westinghouse (a Brookfield portfolio company), to support growing power demand driven by AI. Additionally, Brookfield launched a $100 billion AI infrastructure program through its inaugural Brookfield AI Infrastructure fund.

Ample growth ahead
Brookfield Asset Management believes its best days are yet to come. The company firmly believes that it can grow its earnings by more than 20% annually for the foreseeable future. Several catalysts drive that view.

One notable growth driver is the growing interest among individual investors in alternative investments. Currently, individual investors allocate only about 3% of their portfolios to alternatives, compared to approximately 25% for institutional investors. This market opportunity is massive, considering that individual investors hold $40 trillion in wealth, nearly double the size of the institutional market ($22 trillion). The company has launched several funds targeting the private wealth market, including an infrastructure fund. Brookfield's strategy of expanding its offerings to this market could drive significant AUM and earnings growth in the coming years.

AI is another major growth catalyst for Brookfield. The company sees a more than $7 trillion investment opportunity for AI infrastructure, including power and transmission assets, AI factories (specialized data centers purpose-built for AI), and providing credit to AI companies. It recently launched the first of what could be many AI infrastructure funds that should help boost its AUM and fee-related earnings in the future.

Private credit is another meaningful growth driver for Brookfield. In less than a decade, the company has built its credit investment platform from the ground up through acquisitions like Oaktree, Angel Oak, and Castlelake. Today, the business generates $1.5 billion of fee-related income each year. Brookfield believes it can more than double its fee-bearing AUM from credit assets from $254 billion in 2025 to $640 billion by 2030. That should drive a meaningful increase in the earnings of its credit platform.

An enticing opportunity at the currently lower price point
Brookfield Asset Management believes it can double its business over the next five years, driven by growth catalysts like individual investors, AI, and credit. That has the company on pace to potentially double its dividend payment and value of its stock during that period, with the latter assuming it maintains its currently lower valuation multiple. This upside potential makes the stock's recent dip below $55 a share look like a great buying opportunity for long-term investors.

Matt DiLallo has positions in Brookfield Asset Management and Brookfield Corporation. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Brookfield, Brookfield Asset Management, Brookfield Corporation, and Brookfield Wealth Solutions. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

For Immediate ReleasesChicago, IL – December 26, 2025 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include AbbVie Inc. (ABBV - Free Report) , The Coca-Cola Co. (KO - Free Report) , Chevron Corp. (CVX - Free Report) , ImmuCell Corp. (ICCC - Free Report) and Precipio, Inc. (PRPO - Free Report) .

Here are highlights from Friday’s Analyst Blog:Top Stock Reports for AbbVie, Coca-Cola and ChevronThe Zacks Research Daily presents the best research output of our analyst team. Today's Research Daily features new research reports on 16 major stocks, including AbbVie Inc. The Coca-Cola Co. and Chevron Corp., as well as two micro-cap stocks ImmuCell Corp. and Precipio, Inc.The Zacks microcap research is unique as our research content on these small and under-the-radar companies is the only research of its type in the country.

These research reports have been hand-picked from the roughly 70 reports published by our analyst team today.

You can see all of today’s research reports here >>>

Ahead of Wall StreetThe daily 'Ahead of Wall Street' article is a must-read for all investors who would like to be ready for that day's trading action. The article comes out before the market opens, attempting to make sense of that morning's economic releases and how they will affect that day's market action. You can read this article for free on our home page and can actually sign up there to get an email notification as this article comes out each morning.

You can read today's AWS here >>> Xmas Eve Jobless Claims: Still Accommodating

Today's Featured Research ReportsAbbVie’s shares have outperformed the Zacks Large Cap Pharmaceuticals industry over the past year (+31.6% vs. +19.5%). The company has successfully navigated Humira's loss of exclusivity (LOE) by launching two other successful new immunology medicines, Skyrizi and Rinvoq, which are performing extremely well, bolstered by approvals in new indications. These should support top-line growth in the next few years. Its oncology and neuroscience drugs are also contributing to top-line growth.

AbbVie is returning to robust revenue growth in 2025, which is just the second year following the U.S. Humira LOE. It has been on an acquisition spree in the past couple of years to bolster its early-stage pipeline that should drive long-term growth.

However, the company faces several headwinds like Humira LOE impact, increasing competitive pressure on Imbruvica and continued macro headwinds for Aesthetics.

(You can read the full research report on AbbVie here >>>)

Shares of Coca-Cola have outperformed the Zacks Beverages - Soft drinks industry over the past year (+14.5% vs. +10.5%). The company’s performance reflects the strength of its strategy and the resilience of its global portfolio. The company’s momentum has been fueled by solid organic revenue growth, effective pricing actions, and continued gains in global value share across the non-alcoholic RTD category.

KO’s ongoing focus on innovation, digital transformation, and marketing excellence further sharpens its competitive edge, with breakthrough product launches and culturally resonant campaigns elevating brand relevance. Margin expansion driven by productivity gains, easing inflation and disciplined revenue growth management reinforces its financial durability.

However, KO continues to face meaningful pressures, with soft volumes across key regions, persistent currency headwinds, and a rising tax burden weighing on profitability.

(You can read the full research report on Coca-Cola here >>>)

Chevron’s shares have gained +9.5% over the past year against the Zacks Oil and Gas - Integrated - International industry’s gain of +16%. The company’s acquisition of Hess has meaningfully reshaped its growth outlook, adding high-quality assets in Guyana, the Bakken and the Gulf of Mexico. These additions strengthen its resource base, diversify its upstream portfolio, and reinforce long-term free cash flow potential.

The Permian Basin remains the company’s crown jewel, driving consistent organic growth and industry-leading returns through its low-cost, high-margin profile. Meanwhile, new deepwater projects such as Ballymore and Whale are fueling output momentum in the Gulf.

However, lower crude realizations, regulatory headwinds in California, and higher valuation multiples temper optimism. With its strong balance sheet and disciplined capital approach, Chevron is best viewed as a Neutral for now.

(You can read the full research report on Chevron here >>>)

Shares of ImmuCell have outperformed the Zacks Medical - Products industry over the past year (+26.3% vs. +1%). This microcap company with a market capitalization of $52.65 million offers a compelling investment case, driven by product leadership, operational recovery and improving financial strength. Its First Defense franchise remains the category leader in calf scours prevention, with Tri-Shield comprising 70% of volume and a 48% calf-level market share.

New functional feed products add incremental growth optionality. Operational bottlenecks have been resolved, restoring capacity to $30 million in annual sales, with TTM revenues of $27.8 million (up 16% YoY) and the gross margin rebounding to 43%. Profitability has improved meaningfully, with $1.8 million in net income YTD versus a prior-year loss and TTM EBITDA of $5.8 million.

A strengthened balance sheet, ample liquidity and refinanced debt enhance financial flexibility. Meanwhile, Re-Tain’s disciplined regulatory path and growing international exposure provide longer-term upside without near-term capital strain.

(You can read the full research report on ImmuCell here >>>)

Precipio’s shares have outperformed the Zacks Medical Info Systems industry over the past year (+361.2% vs. -1.3%). This microcap company with a market capitalization of $40.80 million is moving toward self-funded growth, led by its Pathology Services division, which delivers steady organic growth, rising margins and strong operating leverage. Excess capacity and a lean cost base allow incremental volume to generate high-margin cash flow, supporting R&D and financial stability.

The Products division is scaling, with solid growth but near-term margin pressure from planned infrastructure and staffing investments that should ease as volume rises. Results show improving profitability, positive cash flow and reduced losses, supporting the dual-division strategy. Capital discipline has improved, reducing reliance on equity funding.

However, key risks include liquidity constraints, customer and receivables concentration, LDT regulatory uncertainty and distributor execution. Valuation reflects caution, with upside if cash-flow durability is proven.

(You can read the full research report on Precipio here >>>)

Note: Sheraz Mian heads the Zacks Equity Research department and is a well-regarded expert of aggregate earnings. He is frequently quoted in the print and electronic media and publishes the weekly Earnings Trends and Earnings Previewreports. If you want an email notification each time Sheraz publishes a new article, please click here>>>

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Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performance  for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.

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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.

For Immediate ReleasesChicago, IL – December 26, 2025 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog includeTruist Financial Corp. (TFC - Free Report) , Columbia Banking System, Inc. (COLB - Free Report) and Norwood Financial Corp. (NWFL - Free Report) .

Here are highlights from Friday’s Analyst Blog:3 Bank Stocks with High Dividend Yields to Keep an Eye OnThis year has been good for bank stocks after a hiccup in April because of Donald Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariff plans. Since then, markets have rebounded strongly and reached record highs, supported by the Federal Reserve’s interest rate cuts. The central bank has lowered rates by 75 basis points this year and is expected to deliver another cut in 2026. This is expected to support the bank’s net interest income (NII) as funding costs stabilize and loan demand improves. With lower rates, deal-making activities are also expected to accelerate further in 2026.

Banks have been focusing on artificial intelligence (AI) and technology to enhance their client experience and expand their presence online to capture a rising mobile banking population. Also, strategic buyouts and collaborative efforts to deepen global presence and diversify revenue streams will further bolster fee income. Thus, in 2026, banking firms are likely to benefit from their efforts to boost NII and fee income.

Further, stronger-than-expected GDP growth and robust consumer spending have fueled renewed investor optimism. In such a dynamic market environment, dividend stocks stand out as a compelling option for stable income and sustained growth. Hence, dividend-heavy bank stocks such as Truist Financial Corp., Columbia Banking System, Inc. and Norwood Financial Corp. should remain on investors’ radar for generating steady income.

3 Bank Stocks with High Dividend Yield to WatchTo choose these banks, we ran the Zacks Stocks Screener to identify stocks with a dividend yield above 4%. Among these three stocks, one currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), while the other two carry a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) each. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Over the past year, the share price has rallied more than 3% for each company.

Norwood Financial, headquartered in Honesdale, PA, NWFL is the holding company for Wayne Bank, which provides a broad range of personal and business banking services, trust and investment products, and real estate settlement services. The bank operates across Northeastern Pennsylvania and parts of New York through a growing branch network. As of Sept. 30, 2025, it had $2.4 billion in assets.

The company’s strategic growth initiatives support its long-term outlook. In December 2025, it received final regulatory approval for its acquisition of PB Bankshares, including its subsidiary Presence Bank and is scheduled to close around Jan. 5, 2026. The acquisition is expected to enhance scale, deepen Norwood Financial’s footprint across Pennsylvania and create opportunities for sustainable earnings growth as integration progresses. Further, higher asset yields and favorable interest rate conditions will aid NII and margins growth in the coming period.

The company also maintains a healthy liquidity position, which supports its capital distribution plan. As of Sept. 30, 2025, the company reported long-term debt of $72.1 million with no short-term borrowings, while cash and cash equivalents totaled $49.3 million. Its capital position also remains strong, with a CET1 ratio of 12.27%, up from 11.74% a year ago.

In December 2025, NWFL raised its quarterly dividend by 3.2% to 32 cents per share. The company currently yields 4.33%. Over the past five years, it has increased its dividend six times and has a 47% payout ratio. The stock currently sports a Zacks Rank #1.

Norwood Financial Corp. dividend-yield-ttm | Norwood Financial Corp. Quote

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company’s earnings for 2025 and 2026 is pegged at $3.09 and $3.30, respectively.

Columbia Banking, headquartered in Tacoma, WA, provides commercial and consumer banking, treasury management, mortgage, wealth and trust services, and equipment finance through FinPac. The company operates across eight Western states with approximately 350 branches, serving both business and retail customers.

The bank’s relationship-based model and diversified deposit base continue to support stable earnings. Columbia Banking has also strengthened its Western U.S. presence through strategic acquisitions, highlighted by the completion of the Pacific Premier merger in August 2025. This transaction expanded total assets to nearly $70 billion, which bolstered its position in Southern California and improved diversification across attractive growth markets.

Operationally, COLB continues to see improving margin trends and funding efficiency. In the first nine months of 2025, NII (tax-equivalent basis) rose to approximately $1.38 billion, up 7.8% year over year, aided by higher customer-related fee income and one month of operating as a combined company. Excluding one-time items, management expects NII to remain relatively stable in the first quarter of 2026 as disciplined repricing supports margin resilience.

As of Sept. 30, 2025, the company reported short-term borrowings of $2.90 billion with no long-term debt, while cash and cash equivalents totaled $2.34 billion. During the same period, the company’s CET1 ratio increased to 11.6% from 10.3% a year earlier.

In November 2025, Columbia raised its quarterly dividend by 2.8% to 37 cents per share. Currently, the company’s dividend yield stands at 5.17%. Over the past five years, COLB has increased its dividend three times with a payout ratio of 48%. The stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #3.

Columbia Banking System, Inc. dividend-yield-ttm | Columbia Banking System, Inc. Quote

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company’s earnings for 2025 and 2026 is pegged at $3.02 and $2.97, respectively.

Truist Financial, headquartered in Charlotte, NC, operates through an extensive branch and digital network, offering a wide range of consumer, small business, wholesale and wealth management services.

Truist continues to generate stable earnings, supported by improving favorable interest rate conditions. Management anticipates NII to rise approximately 2% sequentially in the fourth quarter, driven by higher client deposits and lower deposit costs, with NIM expected to expand sequentially as well.

Alongside core banking strength, Truist is actively refining its business mix to support long-term growth. The company continues to invest in digital capabilities and high-growth markets, while divesting non-core businesses to sharpen its strategic focus. These actions are expected to enhance operating efficiency and foster sustainable revenue growth over time.

The company has a decent liquidity position. As of Sept. 30, 2025, the company had total debt of $71.1 billion, with 41.3% in short-term obligations, and cash and due from banks plus interest-bearing deposits of $36.9 billion, sufficient to cover near-term funding needs. Its CET1 capital ratio stood at 11.0%, slightly down from 11.6% a year ago.

In June 2022, the company increased its quarterly dividend by 8% to 52 cents per share. Following the 2025 stress test, Truist maintained its quarterly dividend at 52 cents per share. The stock currently yields 4.12%, with a payout ratio of 56%. Over the past five years, the company has raised its dividend twice. The stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #3.

Truist Financial Corporation dividend-yield-ttm | Truist Financial Corporation Quote

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company’s earnings for 2025 and 2026 is pegged at $3.94 and $4.47, respectively.

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Note: Sheraz Mian heads the Zacks Equity Research department and is a well-regarded expert of aggregate earnings. He is frequently quoted in the print and electronic media and publishes the weekly Earnings Trends and Earnings Previewreports. If you want an email notification each time Sheraz publishes a new article, please click here>>>

Media Contact

Zacks Investment Research

800-767-3771 ext. 9339

[email protected]                                     

https://www.zacks.com                                                 

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performance  for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.

For Immediate ReleasesChicago, IL – December 26, 2025 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include Joby Aviation (JOBY - Free Report) , Uber Technologies (UBER - Free Report) , Archer Aviation (ACHR - Free Report) .

Here are highlights from Friday’s Analyst Blog:Can Joby's 25-Vertiport Deal Accelerate Air Taxi Adoption?Joby Aviation, a developer of electric air taxis for commercial passenger service, has teamed up with Metropolis Technologies, a leader in applied AI for the real world, to develop 25 vertiports across the United States for JOBY’s electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The partnership will involve Metropolis’ AI-based recognition technology and its extensive footprint across aviation and baggage services.

The deal follows Metropolis’ $1.5 billion acquisition of SP+ and a $1.6 billion Series D funding round. The companies will locate the vertiports across Metropolis’ portfolio in early electric air taxi markets, assessing new and existing facilities for integration. The association between JOBY and Metropolis aims to make use of the latter’s network of 4,200 parking locations, as well as its baggage and aviation services at over 350 sites.

Joby intends to incorporate AI-based recognition technology by Metropolis, including broader computer vision and biometrics. Metropolis will introduce its Bags VIP service, through its Bags subsidiary, to Joby’s Blade Urban Air Mobility operation, which aims to offer five-minute flights between Manhattan and Newark or JFK airports. The companies expect the baggage handling service to ease passenger concerns regarding luggage requirements.

JOBY is preparing to begin commercial operations in the near future. As part of its commercialization strategy for air taxi services, Joby recently completed its acquisition of Blade Air Mobility’s urban air mobility passenger business — a major milestone on the path to launching commercial operations.

Following the acquisition, Joby Aviation and Uber Technologies announced plans to bring Blade’s air mobility services to the latter’s app by 2026. Joby Aviation and Uber have collaborated on advancing the future of urban air mobility since 2019. In 2021, Joby Aviation acquired Uber’s Elevate division, which was instrumental in shaping the urban air mobility industry and creating key tools for market selection, demand forecasting and multi-modal operations.

Taking a Look at Another eVTOL PlayerJoby’s main rival in the eVTOL space is Archer Aviation. In December, Archer Aviation shared its plan to build an air taxi network in the Miami metropolitan area. This initiative is meant to help people avoid road traffic and offer a safe and efficient new way to travel across the fast-growing region.

Moreover, Archer Aviation recently entered into a partnership with Karem Aircraft. Through this collaboration, Archer Aviation will gain access to Karem’s advanced rotor and tiltrotor technologies for the next-generation autonomous, hybrid-propulsion VTOL aircraft, supporting its goal of developing a dual-use aircraft that can meet the needs of both commercial users and military operators.

Joby’s Price, Valuation & Earnings EstimatesShares of Joby have gained in double digits over the past six months, outperforming the Zacks Aerospace-Defense industry.

From a valuation perspective, Joby is trading at a premium compared with its industry. Joby carries a Value Score of F.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for JOBY’s fourth-quarter 2025, first-quarter 2026, full-year 2025 and 2026 losses have widened over the past 60 days.

JOBY’s Zacks RankJOBY currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

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Note: Sheraz Mian heads the Zacks Equity Research department and is a well-regarded expert of aggregate earnings. He is frequently quoted in the print and electronic media and publishes the weekly Earnings Trends and Earnings Previewreports. If you want an email notification each time Sheraz publishes a new article, please click here>>>

Media Contact

Zacks Investment Research

800-767-3771 ext. 9339

[email protected]                                     

https://www.zacks.com                                                 

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performance  for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.

For Immediate ReleasesChicago, IL – December 26, 2025 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include Mineralys Therapeutics (MLYS - Free Report) , Lyell Immunopharma (LYEL - Free Report) , Insmed (INSM - Free Report) and Nektar Therapeutics (NKTR - Free Report) .

Here are highlights from Friday’s Analyst Blog:4 Drug Biotech Stocks Rising More than 50% with Room to GrowThe drug and biotech sector witnessed a see-saw performance in 2025. After a weak show for most of the year, the sector picked up in the past couple of months. This can be attributed to improved policies following several large drugmakers’ drug pricing agreements with the Trump administration. Also, strong merger and acquisition (M&A) activity across the industry helped revive gains. The biotech sector has rallied 26% in the past six months, outperforming the S&P 500 index.

Innovation is likely to drive growth in the industry, with key areas like obesity, gene therapy, inflammation and neuroscience drawing investor attention. Regulatory activity remained healthy, with the FDA approving 44 novel therapies as of Dec. 22, 2025. M&A activity should remain strong in 2026.

In this article, we discuss four drug/biotech stocks that have returned 50% or more in the year so far and have room for more growth in 2026 on the back of a solid portfolio and a promising pipeline. These are Mineralys Therapeutics, Lyell Immunopharma, Insmed  and Nektar Therapeutics. The stocks have substantially outperformed the industry this year.

Mineralys TherapeuticsClinical-stage biotech, Mineralys Therapeutics, is developing its product candidate, lorundrostat, an orally administered, highly selective aldosterone synthase inhibitor, for the treatment of uncontrolled hypertension (uHTN) or resistant hypertension (rHTN), as well as chronic kidney disease (CKD) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in several mid-to-late-stage studies.

During the first half of 2025, the company announced that the pivotal phase III Launch-HTN study and the phase II Advance-HTN study of lorundrostat in patients with uncontrolled or resistant hypertension met their primary efficacy endpoints with statistical significance and showed favorable safety and tolerability.

The company also reported positive top-line data from the phase II Explore-CKD study, which showed that lorundrostat added to an SGLT2 inhibitor significantly improved outcomes in hypertensive patients with CKD.

Supported by these data, Mineralys is currently gearing up to submit a new drug application (NDA) for lorundrostat in early 2026. Management believes lorundrostat has the potential to provide best-in-class treatment for high-risk patients with uncontrolled or resistant hypertension.

Mineralys has also completed enrollment in the phase II Explore-OSA study on lorundrostat for the treatment of overweight or obese participants with moderate-to-severe OSA and hypertension. Top-line data from the same is expected in the first quarter of 2026.

MLYS put up a stellar performance in 2025, with shares rallying 203.4% year to date. A positive regulatory update and successful development of lorundrostat should help the stock gain further in 2026.

MLYS currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). Loss per share estimates for 2026 have narrowed from $3.06 to $2.50 in the past 60 days. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Lyell ImmunopharmaClinical-stage biotech, Lyell, focuses on developing next-generation CAR T-cell therapies for patients with hematologic malignancies and solid tumors. The company is developing its lead product candidate, ronde-cel, an autologous CAR T-cell product candidate for treating large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL).

Ronde-cel is being evaluated in the pivotal PiNACLE study for patients with relapsed or refractory LBCL in the third-line or later-line setting and in a phase I/II study in the second-line setting.

A second pivotal phase III study evaluating ronde-cel in patients with LBCL in the second-line setting is expected to begin in early 2026. The FDA has already granted a Regenerative Medicine Advanced Therapy (RMAT) designation to ronde-cel for treating R/R LBCL in the 2L setting as well as in the 3L+ setting.

Lyell recently acquired global (ex-China) rights to LYL273, a novel autologous guanylyl cyclase-C (GCC)-targeted CAR T-cell product candidate from Innovative Cellular Therapeutics. The candidate is being developed in early-stage studies for treating patients with refractory metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) and other GCC-expressing cancers.

Earlier data from the phase I study on LYL273 demonstrated dose-dependent clinical activity in patients with refractory mCRC in the United States. The next data update for LYL273 is expected in the first half of 2026.

Favorable data readouts and positive clinical updates could make 2026 a transformational year for Lyell. The company also boasts a strong cash position with approximately $320 million as of Sept. 30, 2025. LYEL put up a strong performance in 2025, with shares rallying 191.6% so far this year.

LYEL currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Loss per share estimates for 2026 have substantially narrowed from $12.68 to $9.70 in the past 60 days.

InsmedInsmed currently markets Arikayce, which is approved for treating refractory mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) lung disease. Arikayce was the first marketed product in Insmed’s portfolio and has been a steady revenue driver for the company. Arikayce recorded sales worth $314.5 million in the first nine months of 2025, increasing 21% on a year-over-year basis.

Notably, Insmed received a major boost when the FDA approved its second product, Brinsupri (brensocatib) as the first treatment for non-cystic fibrosis (non-CF) bronchiectasis in August 2025. The drug was recently approved in Europe for a similar indication.

During the third quarter of 2025, Brinsupri recorded sales worth $28.1 million. The drug is witnessing an early, encouraging commercial launch in the United States and the momentum is expected to continue into 2026.

However, Insmed faced a major setback earlier this month when it announced that the phase IIb BiRCh study, which evaluated Brinsupri in chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyps (CRSsNP), failed to meet either its primary or secondary efficacy endpoints. Following this, the company decided to end the development of Brinsupri for CRSsNP.

Insmed is also evaluating Brinsupri in the phase II CEDAR study for the hidradenitis suppurativa indication, with top-line data expected in the first half of 2026. A positive update from the same should help regain investor confidence, which suffered a blow due to the BiRCh study outcome.

Positive regulatory updates and good pipeline progress should keep the stock afloat in 2026. INSM has put up a strong performance, with shares surging 156% in the year-to-date period.

Insmed currently carries a Zacks Rank #3. Loss per share estimates for 2026 have narrowed from $3.65 to $3.58 in the past 60 days.

NektarClinical stage company, Nektar, is developing its lead product candidate, rezpegaldesleukin or rezpeg, in two separate phase IIb studies — atopic dermatitis (REZOLVE-AD study) and alopecia areata (REZOLVE-AA study).

Data from the REZOLVE-AD study announced in June 2025 showed that rezpeg significantly improved EASI scores versus placebo across all dose levels at week 16. Management believes the rapid reduction in EASI scores and improvements in itch support rezpeg’s potential as a first- and best-in-class immune modulator for atopic dermatitis.

The company expects to advance rezpeg into phase III development for treating atopic dermatitis in the first half of 2026.

Earlier this month, Nektar announced that the REZOLVE-AA study of rezpeg demonstrated proof of concept in patients with severe to very severe alopecia areata. Per management, the results support the planned advancement of rezpeg into phase III development for alopecia areata.

Nektar believes that rezpeg is a potential first-in-class resolution therapy that may address the underlying immune system imbalance in autoimmune disorders and inflammatory diseases.

Studies on Nektar’s other candidate, NKTR-255, which is being developed for certain cancer indications, are also progressing well. Several data readouts on the same are expected shortly.

NKTR put up a stellar performance in 2025, with shares skyrocketing 218.8% year to date. A positive regulatory update and successful development of rezpeg should help the stock gain further in 2026.

NKTR currently carries a Zacks Rank #2. Loss per share estimates for 2026 have narrowed from $12.82 to $10.81 in the past 60 days.

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Top hedge fund manager Ken Griffin sold Amazon and bought Palantir in the third quarter.

Ken Griffin runs Citadel Advisors, the most successful hedge fund in history as measured by net gains since inception. Additionally, Citadel outperformed the S&P 500 (^GSPC +0.32%) by 8 percentage points over the last three years. That makes Griffin an excellent source of inspiration for retail investors.

In the third quarter, Citadel sold 1.6 million shares of Amazon (AMZN +0.10%) and purchased 388,000 shares of Palantir Technologies (PLTR +0.07%), a stock that has advanced 1,030% since January 2024. Comparatively, Nvidia stock is up 281% over the same period.

Here's what investors should know about Amazon and Palantir Technologies.

Image source: Getty Images.

Amazon has a strong presence in three growing industries: e-commerce, digital advertising, and cloud computing. The company is leaning on artificial intelligence (AI) to increase sales and improve profitability across each operating segment, as detailed below:

E-commerce: Amazon runs the largest online marketplace in North America and Western Europe. It has developed generative AI tools for customer service, inventory placement, and last-mile delivery, as well as models that make its industrial robot fleet more efficient. Amazon has also developed an AI shopping assistant called Rufus that is on pace to deliver $10 billion in sales this year.
Advertising: Amazon is the third-largest ad tech company and the largest retail advertiser, which is one of the fastest-growing categories in the broader digital advertising market. The company has built generative AI tools that let brands create images, video, and audio; Amazon has also developed an agentic AI tool that can research products and create campaigns.
Cloud computing: Amazon Web Services (AWS) is the largest public cloud. It has added new platform services, like Bedrock for generative AI application development. AWS has also designed custom AI chips for training and inference workloads that provide clients with a less expensive alternative to Nvidia GPUs. More recently, AWS introduced AI agents that automate software development, security operations, and performance monitoring.

Investments in AI are bearing fruit. In the third quarter, Amazon's revenue increased 13% to $180 billion, driven by accelerating sales growth across its advertising and cloud computing segments. Meanwhile, operating margin expanded 60 basis points (excluding two one-time charges) and operating income increased 23% to $21.7 billion.

Wall Street estimates Amazon's earnings will increase at 18% annually over the next three years. That makes the current valuation of 33 times earnings look reasonable. So, why did Ken Griffin sell Amazon? Perhaps he was simply taking some profits. Whatever the reason, it would be wrong to assume he lost confidence in the company. Amazon is still one of Citadel Advisors' top 10 positions.

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Palantir Technologies: The stock Ken Griffin bought
Palantir develops data analytics and artificial intelligence platforms for customers in the public and private sectors. Its key differentiator is ontology-based software, meaning its products are designed around a decisioning framework made more effective over time by machine learning (ML) models. Use cases span supply chain management, retail inventory optimization, financial fraud detection, and battlefield analytics.

Last year, Forrester Research recognized Palantir as the most capable AI/ML platform on the market, ranking it above Alphabet's Google, Amazon Web Services, and Microsoft Azure. The analysts wrote, "Palantir is quietly becoming one of the largest players in this market." Earlier this year, Forrester ranked Palantir as a leader in AI decisioning platforms.

That recognition from industry analysts has come alongside strong financial results. In the third quarter, Palantir's revenue rose 63% to $1.1 billion, the ninth straight acceleration, and non-GAAP earnings more than doubled to $0.21 per diluted share. Management said strong demand for its artificial intelligence platform was key to its strong performance.

The problem with Palantir is valuation. Shares currently trade at 119 times sales, which makes it the most expensive stock in the S&P 500 by a wide margin. AppLovin is the next-closest stock at 45 times sales. That means Palantir could lose more than 60% of its value and still be the most expensive stock in the index.

Consider this: Palantir's stock price has increased 11x since January 2024, but its revenue has increased less than 2x. That means the primary reason the stock price has increased is that investors are happily paying higher price-to-sales multiples. Indeed, the stock traded at 18 times sales in January 2024.

That figure cannot keep expanding indefinitely. Valuation will matter at some point. When that day comes, Palantir is likely to crash. I'm not sure why Griffin bought shares of Palantir in the third quarter, but investors should not assume he has a great deal of conviction in the company: Palantir does not rank among his top 300 holdings.

Trevor Jennewine has positions in Amazon, Nvidia, and Palantir Technologies. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet, Amazon, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Palantir Technologies. The Motley Fool recommends the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Leifras Co., Ltd., Tachibana Gakuen Educational Corporation, and Matsumoto Co., Ltd. Enter into a Memorandum of Understanding

, /PRNewswire/ -- LEIFRAS Co., Ltd. (Nasdaq: LFS) (the "Company" or "Leifras"), a sports and social business company dedicated to youth sports and community engagement, announced that it entered into a memorandum of understanding (the "MOU") with Tachibana Gakuen Educational Institution ("Tachibana Gakuen"), a high school specializing in education for students who have been absent from school, and Matsumoto Co., Ltd. ("Matsumoto"), a comprehensive printing company. Under the MOU, the three parties plan to launch a collaborative project (the "Project") aimed at supporting students affected by school refusal and addressing this increasingly serious social issue in Japan.

Pursuant to the MOU, Leifras agrees to contribute its expertise and operational know-how in running sports schools and other sports education and training businesses. Tachibana Gakuen agrees to provide guidance on school management and support for students who are not attending school. Matsumoto agrees to provide land and facilities in Kitakyushu City necessary for the execution of the Project and to oversee the entire project.

A Dedicated Solution to the Ever-growing Problem of School Refusal

Japan's birth rate continues to decline, with the annual birth rate expected to fall below 665,000 in fiscal year 2025. Meanwhile, according to a survey by Japan's Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, the problem of school refusal continues to worsen, with the number of children and students not attending school projected to reach 353,970 in fiscal year 2024. Approximately one in 15 junior high school students is absent from school, a figure that has been increasing for 12 consecutive years since fiscal year 2013, nearly tripling the previous level.[1] Against the backdrop of a declining birth rate that makes every child valuable to society, the number of school absentee students continues to reach new record highs. From the perspective of nurturing and securing the talent that will lead society in the future, Leifras recognizes school refusal as a serious issue that must be addressed in a timely manner. Leifras, Tachibana Gakuen, and Matsumoto believe the private sector must take action to address this important issue.

Aim of the Project

Leifras, Tachibana Gakuen, and Matsumoto plan to collaborate to create and provide a new form of education, going beyond the boundaries of educational institutions and corporations, each contributing their specialized know-how. The Project is intended not only as a social contribution activity, but also as a sustainable business model that meets growing social needs. The close collaboration between educational institutions and corporations seeks to realize a rare model that combines high economic value and social value, establishing a solid revenue base while nurturing young people who represent the hope of the future and fostering society.

School Refusal and Chronic Absenteeism in Europe and the US and the Possibility of Global Expansion

School refusal is not an issue unique to Japan. The increase in students who are absent from school for long periods of time is also recognized as a social problem in Europe and in the United States. The knowledge and know-how cultivated through the Project has the potential to be expanded to global markets, including the United States, in the future.

The Rise of Chronic Absenteeism in the United States

In the United States, students who miss more than 10% of school days per year are defined as "chronically absent," and this has become a major educational issue. According to the 2022 school year data from the U.S. Department of Education, the national average of chronic absenteeism rate is 28%, with the rate exceeding 40% in some areas, representing a serious situation.[2]

Comparison with Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Countries

According to the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2015 report, the OECD average for students who have "missed at least one full day of school in the previous two weeks" is 20%, and even compared to Japan's figure at the time (approximately 2%), the percentage of students who have experienced absences in OECD countries tends to be higher.[3]

Mr. Kiyotaka Ito, the Representative Director and Chief Executive Officer of Leifras, commented, "We are pleased to enter into the MOU with Tachibana Gakuen and Matsumoto to launch the collaborative Project. The Project marks a major innovation in our endeavors to establish a profitable and sustainable business model that delivers both social and economic value. We plan to first establish a highly scalable and profitable model in Fukuoka Prefecture, followed by rapid nationwide expansion, positioning the Project as a new core pillar of our business. Looking ahead, the Project is not intended to remain limited to the framework of the three companies alone. We intend to build a broader partnership to create a business ecosystem and incorporate the knowledge and technologies of diverse companies to continuously develop new, high-value-added services. We believe the 'new business model for supporting school refusal' established through the Project will achieve success in Japan and, over time, be adapted and expanded to Western countries that also face these issues."

About LEIFRAS Co., Ltd.

Headquartered in Tokyo, Leifras is a sports and social business company dedicated to youth sports and community engagement. The Company primarily provides services related to the organization and operations of sports schools and sports events for children. As of December 31, 2024, Leifras was recognized as one of Japan's largest operators of children's sports schools in terms of both membership and facilities by Tokyo Shoko Research. The Company's approach to sports education emphasizes the development of non-cognitive skills, following the teaching principle "acknowledge, praise, encourage, and motivate." The holistic approach that integrates physical and mental development sets Leifras apart in the industry. Building upon deep experience and know-how in sports education, Leifras also operates a robust social business sector, dispatching sports coaches to meet various community needs with the aim to promote physical health, social inclusion, and community well-being across different demographics. For more information, please visit the Company's website: https://ir.leifras.co.jp/.

About Tachibana Gakuen Educational Corporation

Based in Fukuoka City, Tachibana Gakuen is a high school that accepts students who have been absent from school from all over the country. Guided by its founder's belief that "When a child is neglected, education loses its light," Tachibana Gakuen has developed a distinctive educational approach that has attracted significant attention nationwide. Boards of education and various organizations from all over the country visited to inspect the school. For more information, please visit: https://www.tachibanahs.net/.

About Matsumoto Co., Ltd. 

Matsumoto Co., Ltd. is a comprehensive printing company founded in 1932 and headquartered in Kitakyushu City (Tokyo Stock Exchange Standard Market: 7901). The company delivers albums to approximately 7,000 schools annually. Matsumoto was a pioneer in the industry, establishing a commercial inkjet printing factory and constantly investing in cutting-edge businesses. In recent years, the company has expanded beyond the printing business and, since February 2023, has also been working on businesses using Web3 and blockchain. For more information, please visit: https://www.matsumoto-inc.co.jp/.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this announcement are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on the Company's current expectations and projections about future events that the Company believes may affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy, and financial needs. Investors can find many (but not all) of these statements by the use of words such as "approximates," "believes," "hopes," "expects," "anticipates," "estimates," "projects," "intends," "plans," "will," "would," "should," "could," "may," or other similar expressions in this press release. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent occurring events or circumstances, or changes in its expectations, except as may be required by law. These statements are subject to uncertainties and risks, including, but not limited to, the uncertainties related to market conditions, and other factors discussed in the "Risk Factors" section of the registration statement the Company filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). Although the Company believes that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure you that such expectations will turn out to be correct, and the Company cautions investors that actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results and encourages investors to review other factors that may affect its future results in the registration statement and other filings with the SEC. Additional factors are discussed in the Company's filings with the SEC, which are available for review at www.sec.gov.

For more information, please contact:

LEIFRAS Co., Ltd.
Investor Relations Department
Email: [email protected]

Ascent Investor Relations LLC
Tina Xiao
Phone: +1-646-932-7242
Email: [email protected]

[1] Japan Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology, Survey on Problematic Behavior and Nonattendance of Schoolchildren, available at: https://www.ed.gov/teaching-and-administration/supporting-students/chronic-absenteeism.

[2] The U.S. Department of Education, Chronic Absenteeism – Supporting Students and Schools, available at https://www.ed.gov/teaching-and-administration/supporting-students/chronic-absenteeism.

[3] Y. Yano, "Study of Measures to School Non-Attendance in Japan and G7 Participating Countries," Research Bulletin (Sakushin Gakuin University Women's College), Dec. 28, 2023, indexed in J-GLOBAL (Japan Science and Technology Agency), https://jglobal.jst.go.jp/en/detail?JGLOBAL_ID=202502253648969710.

SOURCE Leifras Co.,Ltd

Here are three stocks with buy rank and strong income characteristics for investors to consider today, Dec. 26th:

J&J Snack Foods Corp. (JJSF - Free Report) : This food and beverage company has witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 6.5% over the last 60 days. 

This Zacks Rank #1 company has a dividend yield of 3.5%, compared with the industry average of 0.0%. 

Expeditors International of Washington, Inc. (EXPD - Free Report) : This logistics services company has a Zacks Rank #1 and witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 6.9% over the last 60 days.  

This Zacks Rank #1 company has a dividend yield of 1.0%, compared with the industry average of 0.0%. 

The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. (EL - Free Report) : This cosmetics company has witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 4.9% over the last 60 days. 

This Zacks Rank #1 company has a dividend yield of 1.3%, compared with the industry average of 0.0%. 

See thefull list of top ranked stocks here. 

Find more top income stocks withsome of our great premium screens.

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Mike Novogratz isn’t convinced that institutional money is what keeps XRP relevant. Instead, the Galaxy Digital CEO believes XRP’s staying power comes from something far less measurable but equally powerful, its community. 

Speaking on a recent podcast, Novogratz credited the “XRP Army” for carrying the token through multiple market cycles, even as Wall Street attention remains firmly locked on Bitcoin and its ETFs.

In a market flooded with new tokens, narratives, and short-lived trends, Novogratz sees community belief as a survival mechanism. XRP, in his view, is proof that loyalty can still matter in crypto.

Bitcoin ETFs Now Control the Market’s PulseWhile XRP leans heavily on grassroots support, Bitcoin is being shaped by institutional demand. Novogratz explained that spot Bitcoin ETFs have become a dominant force in market structure, steadily absorbing supply even during volatile periods. Despite Bitcoin’s failure to decisively reclaim the $100,000 level, ETF inflows have continued, preventing deeper downside moves.

He described the $100,000 zone as a psychological and technical wall built from earlier aggressive buying. That demand has since turned into overhead supply, slowing momentum as large holders sell into strength. Still, Novogratz views this phase as consolidation, not exhaustion.

Novogratz compared XRP to other long-standing crypto assets that survived not through innovation or yield, but through belief. As capital becomes more selective and new projects fight for relevance, maintaining a committed user base has become harder than ever.

XRP’s supporters, however, have remained vocal and engaged. That persistence keeps the asset visible, even without consistent institutional inflows. In today’s market, Novogratz argues, tokens without strong communities risk fading quietly into irrelevance.

ETFs, Supply Shocks, and XRP’s Surprise FactorThe broader ETF narrative isn’t limited to Bitcoin. Legal expert Bill Morgan recently noted that the anticipated “XRP ETF supply shock” has, at least partially, delivered. According to him, developments around XRP-linked investment products have genuinely surprised the market, shifting expectations around supply dynamics and long-term positioning.

Utility Still Supports the Long-Term CaseAdding to the discussion,Xaif Crypto revisited a point Ripple CTO David Schwartz made back in 2017. As he noted, XRP cannot stay cheap forever without breaking its own economics. Transaction fees on the XRP Ledger are denominated in XRP, not dollars. As XRP’s price rises, fees actually become cheaper in real-world terms, while liquidity and network security improve.

In other words, higher prices don’t undermine XRPL’s utility, they strengthen it.

Macro Risks Can’t Be IgnoredDespite pockets of optimism, Novogratz remains cautious. He warned that a sharp downturn in U.S. equities, particularly the Nasdaq, would likely drag crypto lower. He also flagged AI-driven job displacement as a growing economic wildcard that could pressure all risk assets.

For now, XRP’s relevance appears less about Wall Street and more about belief, and that belief, at least so far, hasn’t broken.

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Posted: December 26, 2025

During ongoing market weakness, projects showing real growth in usage, revenue, and development attracted fresh capital. This shift pushed certain cryptocurrencies into daily gainer territory, even as most Layer‑1 tokens stayed subdued.

On the 25th of December, Lido DAO [LDO] joined that cohort, outperforming peers amid cautious market sentiment. The move reflected a growing preference for economically productive protocols rather than purely speculative rotations.

Could this renewed focus on fundamentals explain LDO’s relative strength?

Did LDO’s development surge finally command market attention?
Chain Broker data showed LDO ranked among the top projects by development activity growth, rising 690% year-over-year.

That placed LDO alongside projects showing sustained engineering commitment rather than short-lived contributor spikes.

Source: X

Such development momentum often preceded renewed investor confidence during periods of prolonged price consolidation. In LDO’s case, growth metrics appeared to stabilize sentiment following months of broader Layer-1 underperformance.

The development surge reinforced perceptions of long-term protocol relevance during a challenging market environment. That backdrop set the stage for improving short-term price dynamics.

Do fees and revenue confirm LDO’s on-chain strength?
Chain Broker data also showed LDO-related products ranked near the top for weekly fees and revenue generation. The protocol recorded approximately $14.3 million in weekly fees, highlighting consistent demand for staking infrastructure.

Source: X

That revenue profile contrasted with much of the Layer-1 sector, which struggled after October’s market peak. LDO’s performance suggested sustained protocol usage despite fading speculative activity elsewhere.

Revenue concentration further underscored selective resilience rather than broad ecosystem recovery. Still, market participants remained cautious as technical risks persisted.

Is LDO’s price breakout sustainable after the October crash?
At the time of writing, LDO emerged among the top daily gainers, rising 7.65%. The move followed an attempted break above a descending trendline that intensified after the crash on the 10th of October.

Momentum indicators stayed mixed. The RSI hovered near neutral, while the MACD suggested fading downside momentum rather than a clear bullish shift.

Source: TradingView

That crash deepened downside momentum across Layer-1s, pushing several assets far below mid-year highs. LDO’s recovery, therefore, stood out against a backdrop of lingering risk-off conditions.

Source: CoinGlass

However, CoinGlass liquidation heatmaps showed dense leverage clusters near the $0.51 level. Those clusters suggested downside risk could reappear if momentum weakened or broader conditions deteriorated.

Final Thoughts

LDO’s strength reflected a market rotation toward development growth and revenue during sustained Layer-1 weakness.
Yet liquidation pressure near key levels showed, fundamentals alone did not eliminate short-term technical risk.

Bitcoin usually sees strong gains in the year after a halving. This cycle, however, has looked different. Instead of explosive volatility, the price has remained relatively calm, even behaving like a stable asset at times. 

According to Jan3 CEO and Bitcoin advocate Samson Mow, this quiet phase is temporary, and a major price move is likely ahead.

Record Liquidations Didn’t Push Bitcoin Down MuchEarlier this year, the market experienced what Mow described as the largest liquidation flush ever. Altcoins fell sharply, but Bitcoin only dropped around $20,000.

“Altcoins dropped to the depths, but Bitcoin was largely unaffected,” he said, highlighting the asset’s growing resilience. 

This shows that while the market experienced stress, Bitcoin’s price could absorb selling without a major crash.

Multiple Factors Are Limiting the RallyMow pointed out several reasons Bitcoin hasn’t surged yet:

Profit-taking: Some investors are taking gains rather than buying more.Whale rotations: Large holders may be moving Bitcoin around, creating sideways pressure.ETF flows: Money moving into ETFs can affect how much buying pressure is reflected in the spot market.Exchange or “paper” Bitcoin selling: There may be selling that doesn’t reflect real Bitcoin demand.“Maybe it’s paper Bitcoin, maybe it’s ETFs, maybe it’s profit-taking it could be many things,” he said.

Altcoins Ran Too HotAnother factor is the earlier rally in altcoins. Ethereum was reaching new highs, and XRP traded near $3.50, which Mow described as unsustainable. When altcoins correct, Bitcoin often dips briefly but then recovers. This rotation of attention and capital can keep Bitcoin from surging even when demand remains strong.

The Calm May Be TemporaryMow emphasized that Bitcoin’s limited upside so far does not mean the market is exhausted. Supply constraints and continued demand suggest a price move is inevitable.

“It’s impossible that someone ends up with 10% of the supply at these prices,” he said. “The price has to move sooner or later.”

For now, Bitcoin’s post-halving calm reflects a balance between selling pressure, profit-taking, and capital rotation. But according to this view, the quiet is likely just the calm before the next major move.

Trust with CoinPedia:CoinPedia has been delivering accurate and timely cryptocurrency and blockchain updates since 2017. All content is created by our expert panel of analysts and journalists, following strict Editorial Guidelines based on E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness). Every article is fact-checked against reputable sources to ensure accuracy, transparency, and reliability. Our review policy guarantees unbiased evaluations when recommending exchanges, platforms, or tools. We strive to provide timely updates about everything crypto & blockchain, right from startups to industry majors.

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December 26, 2025

Russian President Putin said that the US and Russia are in talks over the joint management of Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, without Ukraine’s participation. He claimed that the US is interested in using the plant’s electricity for Bitcoin mining.

During a meeting with business representatives, President Putin unveiled the plan, Russian media Kommersant reported. Further, Moscow and Washington are considering the possibility of supplying electricity to Ukraine.

The United States is discussing the possibility of jointly managing the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant without Ukraine’s involvement, Putin said.

He claimed that the US is interested in using the plant for cryptocurrency mining. At the same time, Putin said that electricity… pic.twitter.com/5FwkysGQqP

— KyivPost (@KyivPost) December 25, 2025
Additionally, Putin said that Ukrainian specialists will continue to work at the largest nuclear power plant in Europe, but will hold Russian passports. The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant was captured by Russian troops in March 2022.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has proposed a joint operation of the Plant with the US. He said the issue of Zaporizhzhia remains one of the most challenging points of the US peace plan for Ukraine.

International communities, including the IAEA, have repeatedly stressed that any decisions regarding the plant without Ukraine’s participation are illegal.

Ukraine Power Grid CrisisThe Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant is currently not generating electricity for the grid due to its seizure by Russia in March 2022. Its six reactors are in a safety shutdown and depend solely on emergency diesel generators for essential cooling, with frequent cuts.

Besides, more Russian drones and missiles than in previous years have left energy supplies at a tipping point. Per a WSJ report, Russia launched more than 5,000 missiles and long-range drones into Ukraine, targeting energy infrastructure.

Analysts at the private intelligence agency Molfar said in a study that three active crypto mining pools with six miners in Ukraine likely consumed 33 kW per hour. The data was collected from July 2023 to June 2024 using various open sources.

Currently, the US has not released any official statement regarding the ongoing negotiations on the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, without Ukraine’s involvement.

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The crypto market has recovered slightly to $3 trillion amid sentiment towards a potential Santa Claus rally in Bitcoin and other crypto assets. However, crypto market crash jitters persist amid today’s largest-ever options expiry.

Crypto traders anticipated volatility as over $27 billion in Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and XRP (XRP), and Solana (SOL) options expire. Eyes will also be on options expiry on the BlackRock Bitcoin ETF (IBIT).

Crypto Market Crash Fears Mount amid $23 Billion Bitcoin Options Expiry
According to the largest derivatives crypto exchange Deribit, massive 262K BTC options with a notional value of $23.38 billion are set to expire on December 26, with a put-call ratio of 0.33.

However, the 24-hour put volume is significantly higher than the 24-hour call volume. The put-call ratio of 1.72 indicates traders are extremely bearish. Crypto market traders are adjusting their positions amid intense uncertainty and thin liquidity.

Moreover, the max pain price was $95,000, above the current Bitcoin price of nearly $89,000. This typically implies a high odds of a pullback in BTC price towards the max pain. However, more puts are concentrated in the $80,000 to $90,000K range, with the $90,000 strike price as the key resistance level.

Bitcoin Options Open Interest. Source: Deribit
As per GreeksLive, rollover trades are now the dominant force in trading volume. This creates significant signal noise, making options data unreliable as a trading signal in recent days. Traders are closely monitoring volatility levels and institutional flow indicators to deter a crypto market crash.

Analysts are bearish on Bitcoin despite slightly upside momentum as every pump this December is followed by a dump. Analyst Caleb Franzen suggests traders to keep an eye on the 200-day moving average on the 4-hour chart, which continues to act as resistance.

Bitcoin Price in 4-Hour Timeframe. Source: Caleb Franzen
Crypto analyst Ted Pillows predicted that a daily close above the $89,500 level will trigger a rally towards the $100,000 level. However, a daily close below the $85,000 level will dump BTC price below the $80,000 zone.

What’s Next for Ethereum Price After Expiry?
The crypto market also awaits the potential impact of the Ethereum options expiry. 1268K ETH options with a notional value of over $3.77 billion are set to expire. The put-call ratio is 0.43.

In the last 24 hours, put volume was higher than the call volume, with a put-call ratio of 1.26. It shows bearish sentiment among traders as puts dominated calls.

Also, the max pain point at $3,000 indicates a pullback may occur after expiry. ETH options traders are focusing on $2,950 as a key level to hold amid crypto market crash concerns.

Ethereum Options Open Interest. Source: Deribit
Deribit said “Positioning reflects caution, not capitulation. Post-expiry flows will matter more than price.”

ETH price jumped more than 1% in the past 24 hours, currently trading at $2,978. The 24-hour low and high are $2,891 and $2,991, respectively. However, a more than 30% increase in trading volume suggests a rebound.

Will XRP Rebound to Max Pain Price of $2?
24K XRP options with a notional value of more than $46.25 million are set to expire today. The put-call ratio is 0.49, but it has climbed to 1.57 as put volume exceeds call volume.

The max pain point is at $2.60, above the XRP price of $1.87 at the time of writing. However, traders are betting on XRP to remain under pressure as it trades near an inflection point.

XRP Options Open Interest. Source: Deribit
Analyst Ali Martinez predicted a potential XRP price crash to $1.10 if it breaks below the $1.80 support level. However, bulls successfully holding the crucial zone between $1.80 and $1.90 will preserve the broader bullish structure, despite a crypto market crash.

Neutral Stance on Solana (SOL)
112K SOL options with a notional value of over $139.45 million to expire, with a neutral put-call ratio of 0.49.

In the last 24 hours, call volume was higher than the put volume, with a put-call ratio of 0.81. This signals that options traders are overall neutral and awaiting the expiry of Bitcoin and Ethereum crypto options for cues on market direction.

Also, the max pain point is at $180, with traders expecting Solana to rebound above $124 in the upcoming days. SOL price has rebounded from $119 to trade at almost 1% higher at $123.40. Trading volume has increased by 65% over the past 24 hours.

SOL Options Open Interest. Source: Deribit

The closing stretch of 2025 hasn’t been kind to Dogecoin holders. Once a retail favorite, Dogecoin price has quietly slid into a prolonged downtrend, trading near $0.125 with little sign of strong accumulation. Yet, as Wall Street heads into 2026 with guarded optimism—driven by expectations of rate cuts, resilient U.S. growth, and another leg in the AI-driven rally—crypto investors are asking the same question: could this macro momentum lift DOGE price out of its slump, or will it remain a laggard?

Dogecoin Price Prediction: What Wall Street’s 2026 Outlook Means for Crypto

Analysts across major institutions see 2026 as a continuation of the current bull cycle in equities, though with growing caution. The Federal Reserve’s expected rate cuts, a looser fiscal stance, and AI-related capital spending are seen as catalysts for another year of gains. Historically, crypto tends to benefit from liquidity expansion and lower real yields—conditions that often follow rate cuts.

However, the nuance lies in risk appetite. While the S&P 500 eyes modest 5% upside, the growing skepticism around tech valuations and the AI “bubble” narrative signals possible volatility. For crypto, that means correlation spikes: any equity pullback or tech-driven selloff could quickly spill over to digital assets. Dogecoin price, being more sentiment-driven than fundamentally tied to revenue-generating projects, remains especially vulnerable to those swings.

Dogecoin Price Prediction: Weak Momentum and Sideways DriftDOGE/USD Daily Chart- TradingViewThe daily TradingView chart paints a clear picture of exhaustion. Dogecoin price continues to hover below both its 20-day and 50-day moving averages, signaling that bearish pressure remains dominant. The Bollinger Bands have narrowed sharply—a textbook sign of volatility compression that often precedes a breakout.

Right now, DOGE price trades near the lower midline of the Bollinger Band ($0.125), showing weak momentum and lack of volume spikes. The pivot levels drawn on the chart highlight $0.13–$0.14 as the near-term resistance zone, while $0.12 and $0.10 act as key supports. Repeated tests of this lower range without strong rebounds suggest that sellers are still in control.

Unless Dogecoin price decisively closes above $0.145, any short-term bounce is likely to be sold into. The technical posture is neutral-to-bearish, with the risk of retesting $0.10 if macro sentiment turns risk-off.

Sentiment Check: Retail Fades, Liquidity ThinsUnlike early bull runs driven by retail frenzy, current DOGE price participation metrics tell a quieter story. Trading volumes have steadily declined since November, while social mentions are down compared to last year. The fading meme narrative, combined with competition from other AI-themed or DeFi tokens, has pushed Dogecoin price lower on traders’ priority lists.

That said, there’s still a subtle bullish argument: the token is holding above its psychological support near $0.10, and long-term holders haven’t significantly capitulated. Historically, such quiet phases often precede trend reversals—but only after broader market confirmation.

Key Levels to Watch in Early 2026Resistance: $0.135 → $0.145 – closing above this range could trigger a short-term relief rally toward $0.16.Support: $0.12 → $0.10 – breaking below $0.10 risks a deeper slide toward $0.085.Volatility signal: Watch the Bollinger Band breakout direction in January. A decisive move outside the current squeeze could define the first-quarter trend.Momentum indicators like RSI (not shown on this chart) likely hover near the neutral 40–45 zone, hinting at consolidation rather than a reversal. A breakout accompanied by a volume spike would be the first sign of renewed accumulation.

2026 Dogecoin Price Prediction: Modest Gains, Cautious OptimismAssuming Wall Street’s expectations play out—rate cuts, stable growth, and controlled inflation—DOGE price could slowly climb back toward $0.18–$0.20 by mid-2026. But that recovery hinges on Bitcoin maintaining above $70K and altcoin rotations picking up again.

If macro volatility rises or risk assets correct in the first half of 2026, Dogecoin price might revisit the $0.10 region before rebounding later in the year. A breakout beyond $0.20 would require a fresh retail narrative, possibly linked to social media adoption or a new meme cycle.

In short: 2026 may not be $DOGE breakout year, but it could be a year of quiet rebuilding. Patience will matter more than hype.

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Changpeng “CZ” Zhao pushed back after a screenshot showing bitcoin at roughly $24,111 on Binance went viral on X, arguing the move was a microstructure glitch on a thin, newly listed BTC/USD1 pair rather than a broader market crash and that the exchange itself “is NOT involved in trades.”

Did Bitcoin Really Crash To $24,000?
The sharp wick appeared isolated to BTC/USD1, a market quoted in USD1, a stablecoin launched by Trump family-backed World Liberty Financial. Within seconds, the pair snapped back toward prevailing bitcoin prices above $87,000, according to exchange data cited by traders sharing the screenshot.

CZ’s explanation was straightforward: on an illiquid order book, a single aggressive order can print an extreme price before arbitrage closes the gap. “This actually shows the exchange is NOT involved in trades. Low liquidity on new pairs means one large market order can spike prices, but arbitrageurs quickly corrected it. No liquidations occurred, as this pair isn’t included in any index.”

The Binance founder shared a breakdown from Head of Business Development of Solv Protocol Catherine Chan who said the move was “a liquidity event,” not a bitcoin collapse. She tied the dislocation to a Binance-and-USD1 promotion offering a 20% fixed APY deposit deal that, she claimed, pushed users to swap USDT into USD1 and briefly drove USD1 to a premium.

“Many users swapped USDT → USD1, pushing USD1 to a 0.39% premium: huge for a stablecoin. Smart money borrowed USD1 on @lista_dao against SolvBTC or SolvBTC-BTCB smart lending markets (~0.5% APY). They either deposited USD1 directly or sold it slowly on spot to meet demand. Then someone thought: ‘Why not just sell via BTC/USD1?’ They used a market order. Problem: BTC/USD1 has very thin liquidity. That market order wiped out most buy orders, briefly causing a very low price,” Catherine explained.

“Arbitrage bots instantly bought it back,” she wrote. “No fundamentals changed. No mass liquidations.”

The episode also picked up a familiar edge of crypto paranoia. One user, Bera (@doomsdart), framed it as a coordinated signal: “Cz and Trump family are telling us what they’re gonna do to our coins. Get ready.” CZ’s reply, by contrast, suggested the opposite — that the speed of arbitrage, and the absence of cascading liquidations, is evidence the venue wasn’t “printing” a market-wide price at all.

For traders, the takeaway is less dramatic than the screenshot implied, but still relevant: new quote-asset pairs can be structurally fragile, and promotions that rapidly concentrate flow into a single stablecoin can leave unusually thin order books in their wake. In that kind of market, a single market order can create a headline before it creates a trend.

At press time, Bitcoin traded at $89,298.

Bitcoin remains stuck between the 0.618 and 0.786 Fib, 1-week chart | Source: BTCUSDT on TradingView.com
Featured image created with DALL.E, chart from TradingView.com

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Jake Simmons has been a Bitcoin enthusiast since 2016. Ever since he heard about Bitcoin, he has been studying the topic every day and trying to share his knowledge with others. His goal is to contribute to Bitcoin's financial revolution, which will replace the fiat money system. Besides BTC and crypto, Jake studied Business Informatics at a university. After graduation in 2017, he has been working in the blockchain and crypto sector. You can follow Jake on Twitter at @realJakeSimmons.

A widely followed crypto analyst believes that Bitcoin (BTC) is printing a similar 2020 bullish pattern.

In a new thread, pseudonymous crypto trader Kaleo tells his 728,400 followers on X that Bitcoin may increase by more than 60% its current value next year.

“I still believe the market is in a similar place to where it was in the fall of 2020. In both scenarios, BTC lost a key support line it had held dating back to the recovery from a major crash. This led to a mini-bart scenario where the price found a base for a new range after retracing nearly the entirety of its last major leg up.

Through the majority of the post-Covid crash recovery in 2020, stocks (especially the tech sector) were significantly outperforming Bitcoin. The majority of alts were quiet outside of a few in the DeFi (decentralized finance) sector. People were claiming Bitcoin was dead. Currently, equities are printing new all-time highs seemingly daily. People are once again claiming Bitcoin is boring and alts are dead. It’s only a matter of time before that narrative changes.”

The analyst also says that Bitcoin is likely in an extended bull market, overriding the four-year cycle theory that states the top crypto asset has entered a bearish phase.

Bitcoin’s four-year halving schedule and large price drawdowns that historically happened once every four years have given the impression that the benchmark cryptocurrency follows a four-year cycle.

“I still believe this isn’t the typical four year cycle where we’d expect another year or two of bearish price action before seeing new all-time highs. Instead, when we see new all-time highs in 2026 it’ll mark the ‘fun stages’ of a new supercycle. Higher for longer, real alt seasons and new retail mania with mainstream crypto dapps (decentralized application).

This should be followed by a longer bear market – but for those of you who were brave enough to stick around during the dark and boring days, you’ll hopefully be able to stack enough over the next few years to be prepared to survive it. Now isn’t the time to walk away. It’s the time to double down and work harder. Be more bullish.”

Source: Kaleo/X
Looking at his chart, the analyst suggests that Bitcoin will reach the $140,000 level in 2026.

Bitcoin is trading for $87,943 at time of writing, up marginally on the day.

Robert Kraft

This podcast for informational purposes only and is not provided as financial, legal or any other advice. The information is not investment advice or an offer to buy or sell any securities or make an investment.

The views expressed by guest speakers are their own and any reference to third-party products, services or information does not constitute an endorsement thereof by SNN or its affiliates. SNN expressly disclaims all liability for any individual's use of the information presented in this podcast.

Welcome to the due diligence series here on the Planet MicroCap podcast. I'm your host, Robert Kraft. My guest today is Dan Goldberger.

He's the CEO of electroCore. It's a publicly traded company. The symbol is ECOR on NASDAQ.

electroCore is a commercial-stage neuromodulation company developing a suite of non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation devices, delivering a two-minute therapy session designed to rebalance the autonomic nervous system.

Built around its nVNS platform, the company operates across three channels, prescription medical devices for headache and migraine, the fast-growing Truvaga direct-to-consumer wellness brand and a specialized military and government division, built around its ruggedized TAC-STIM product.

Founded in 2006 as a noninvasive alternative to implanted vagus nerve stimulators, electroCore has evolved into a multi-indication business with 7 FDA authorizations for headache, serving major customers like the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the U.K.'s National Health Service.

I invited Dan to this show to discuss all of this as well as how the nVNS platform works and the science behind vagus nerve modulation, electroCore's evolution from implanted alternatives to multichannel neuromodulation, the prescription business model across the VA, NHS and

The contract is valued at approximately 20,2 billion Mexican pesos (approximately 920 million euros)New, state of the art trains will be manufactured at Alstom’s Ciudad Sahagún plant, with over 76% of national content The contract also includes comprehensive maintenance for 5 years, fitting out of maintenance depots, inspection and refuelling stations. 26 December 2025 – Alstom, global leader in smart and sustainable mobility, has signed a contract with the Railway Transport Regulatory Agency (ARTF) for the supply of 47 DMU (Diesel Multiple Unit) passenger trains, 33 long-haul and 14 short-haul, aimed for the Mexico City–Querétaro–Irapuato and Saltillo–Monterrey–Nuevo Laredo corridors, in Mexico. The ruling was announced on December 15 at a public meeting of the decentralized agency of the Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications and Transportation. This project is part of the National Development Plan 2025-2030 and represents a decisive boost for passenger rail mobility in Mexico, connecting key regions in the center and north of the country and consolidating the revival of passenger train service.

The contract is valued at approximately 20,2 billion Mexican pesos (approximately 920 million euros)1. In addition to the supply of 47 trains, the contract also includes comprehensive maintenance for five years, fitting out of maintenance depots, inspection and refuelling stations, as well as technical training and commissioning of the trains.

With this new project, Alstom reaffirms its commitment to advancing railway mobility and innovation in Mexico. Alstom forecasts this project will allow them to create and retain upwards of hundreds of jobs, including both skilled engineering and project management roles as well as manufacturing opportunities.

“This project exemplifies Alstom’s commitment to Mexico. 76.6% of the content for the trains will be made in Mexico. This level of local content boosts the Mexican railway industry, promotes technical specialization and strengthens the network of local suppliers, creating attractive jobs across the value chain. Manufacturing trains for Mexico, made in Mexico, isn’t about just one project, it is our long-term contribution to sustainable mobility and the development of the country," said Maite Ramos, Alstom’s general manager for the North Latin American region.

State of the art trains, which are comfortable and reliable

Locally called ‘Trenes des Norte’ (Northern Trains), Alstom’s Adessia Stream trains for catenary-free operation will meet the highest international standards of modern mobility, reaching maximum speeds of around 165 km/h. Each unit will have an approximate length of 100 meters and will allow double coupling, forming configurations of up to eight cars. The capacity will be flexible: around 300 passengers on long-haul services and up to 600 on short-haul services, guaranteeing efficiency and comfort on each journey. The trains will offer a comfortable, safe and contemporary experience, with full accessibility for people with reduced mobility (PRM) and real-time information systems.

Alstom’s Adessia commuter rail solutions are a global benchmark in urban and suburban mobility, connecting the heart of cities with the surrounding metropolitan areas. With more than 40,000 cars sold in 60 commuter systems in 15 countries, this platform offers a versatile portfolio that includes multiple units, ensuring efficiency and sustainability on every journey. Made from high-quality materials such as aluminium and stainless steel, Alstom’s Adessia trains represent solutions that transform the urban experience and contribute to a more connected and sustainable future.

Design: inspiration and cultural pride
Beyond performance and efficiency, the design of the Trenes del Norte seeks to resonate with Mexico’s identity and cultural pride, projecting a vision of modernity and innovation. The concept takes as a reference Nahuatl, a living language since the seventh century, and the Codex Boturini, an iconic manuscript that inspires the chromatic palette with earthy ochres, warm browns and pink tones that evoke the richness of the earth.

The front of the train is a striking embodiment of regional pride: inspired by the intense gaze of the puma, a symbol of strength and agility, with aerodynamic lines that convey dynamism and three horizontal lights that evoke the whiskers of the feline, creating a unique and recognizable visual signature.

On the outside, the long-distance train features a deep black ribbon flowing from the nose along the roof, reinforcing the sense of movement. A green band, taken from the Codex Boturini, provides refined contrast, while earth-brown doors ensure intuitive accessibility. The iridescent finishes reflect light and surroundings, giving the train a sophisticated and vibrant presence.

The short-distance design preserves this visual continuity, consolidating a solid identity for the Trenes del Norte. Windows integrated into a continuous black surface project modernity and safety, while the front light signature reinforces the promise of speed and cultural connection.

Five years of maintenance
In addition to the supply of 47 trains, the contract also includes comprehensive maintenance for five years, fitting out of maintenance depots, inspection and refuelling stations, as well as technical training and commissioning of the trains. Alstom stands out for delivering exceptional results in availability and reliability, supporting its solutions with strong technological and systems engineering capabilities. Alstom’s expertise in maintaining railway assets and systems ensures safe, efficient, and cost-effective operations, strengthening customer confidence in every project.

The company operates in more than 250 locations worldwide, performing corrective and preventive maintenance, overhauls, obsolescence management, cleaning, warehouse operation and modernization, and much more.

Moreover, as the largest private provider of operations and maintenance in North America, Alstom supports its customers throughout the entire lifecycle of their railway assets. From design and construction for operations, through modernization, to end-of-life, its solutions cover fleet maintenance, infrastructure, signalling, and specialized technical support.

Alstom’s HealthHub predictive system, which will also be part of the Trenes del Norte service, monitors over 10,000 cars, operates in more than 30 cities, and has cut energy use by 20% since 2014.

Made in Mexico

The trains will be manufactured at the Alstom plant in Ciudad Sahagún, located in the state of Hidalgo, which has international certifications and advanced processes for working with stainless steel and aluminium, ensuring quality and efficiency at each stage of production.
The Sahagún Plant is Alstom’s first largest manufacturing center in the Americas – and the company’s third globally – and will be in charge of the manufacture of the 47 DMU trains. Located in an industrial area with more than seven decades of manufacturing experience, the location of the site offers strategic connectivity with the main logistics corridors of the country, allowing the efficient mobilization of materials, subassemblies and complete trains to any national or international destination. 2,000 locomotives and more than 3,500 train cars have been manufactured at the site.

In 2025, Alstom officially received the “Made in Mexico” label, a government distinction that certifies products designed, manufactured, and assembled in the country under high standards of quality and innovation—underscoring the company’s commitment to strengthening the national industry and positioning Mexico as a key hub for world-class rail manufacturing. For more information, read the next Press Release: Made in Mexico.

Alstom in Mexico
Present in the country since 1952, Alstom has participated in the development of the first line of the Mexico City Metro. Since then, it has been a fundamental ally in the development of mobility and urban connectivity, as well as in the economic growth of the states where it operates. Over the years, Alstom has pioneered the introduction of the metro and its maintenance in Mexico City, Monterrey and Guadalajara. In addition, it has developed modern railway systems, signalling and maintenance for trains and tracks of the main railways in the country. The company has a plant in Ciudad Sahagún (Hidalgo), where it has been manufacturing trains for national and international projects for more than 70 years. Alstom currently plays a key role in the Mayan Train project that drives connectivity and economic development, reaffirming its commitment to innovation and a more sustainable future.

ALSTOM™, Adessia™, Adessia Stream™ and HealthHub™ are protected trademarks of the Alstom Group.

 About Alstom  Alstom commits to contribute to a low carbon future by developing and promoting innovative and sustainable transportation solutions that people enjoy riding. From high-speed trains, metros, monorails, trams, to turnkey systems, services, infrastructure, signalling and digital mobility, Alstom offers its diverse customers the broadest portfolio in the industry. With its presence in 63 countries and a talent base of over 86,000 people from 184 nationalities, the company focuses its design, innovation, and project management skills to where mobility solutions are needed most. Listed in France, Alstom generated sales of €18.5 billion for the fiscal year ending on 31 March 2025.
For more information, please visit www.alstom.com.   Contacts HQ
Coralie COLLET - Tel.: +33 (0) 7 63 63 09 62
[email protected]

Mexico
Silvia ARANDA
[email protected]

 Dulce ROJAS – Tel. +52 552940 6441
[email protected]

 Investor Relations
Cyril Guerin – Tel.: +33 (0) 6 07 89 36 16
[email protected]

 Guillaume GAUVILLE – Tel.: +44 (0)7 588 022 744
[email protected]

 Estelle MATURELL ANDINO – Tel.: +33 (0)6 71 37 47 56
[email protected]

 Jalal DAHMANE – Tel.: +33 (0)6 98 19 96 62
[email protected]

  1 This contract will be booked in the 3rd quarter of Alstom's 2025/2026 financial year.

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Crypto Journalist

Amin Ayan

Crypto Journalist

Amin Ayan

Part of the Team Since

Apr 2025

About Author

Amin Ayan is a crypto journalist with over four years of experience in the industry. He has contributed to leading publications such as Cryptonews, Investing.com, 99Bitcoins, and 24/7 Wall St. He has...

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December 25, 2025

Uniswap governance has approved the UNIfication proposal, marking a major shift in the protocol’s economic model and setting UNI on a more explicitly deflationary path.

Key Takeaways:

Uniswap approved UNIfication with near-unanimous support, putting UNI on a deflationary path.
The fee switch redirects trading fees to ongoing UNI burns tied to protocol usage.
The proposal also streamlines governance and funding to support long-term growth.

Voting concluded on Thursday with 99.9% support, according to Uniswap founder Hayden Adams.

More than 125 million UNI tokens were cast in favor of the proposal, compared with just 742 tokens voting against, underscoring broad consensus among token holders.

Uniswap Proposal Activates Long-Awaited Protocol Fee SwitchThe proposal, introduced in November by Uniswap Labs and the Uniswap Foundation, activates the long-anticipated protocol fee switch.

Under the new structure, a portion of trading fees, previously distributed entirely to liquidity providers, will now be directed to the protocol itself.

Those fees will be used to burn UNI tokens on an ongoing basis, reducing total supply over time. In addition, net sequencer fees from Unichain will be routed into the same burn mechanism.

Together, the changes create a direct link between usage and supply reduction. As trading activity increases across Uniswap, more UNI will be removed from circulation, effectively tying the token’s economics to the protocol’s growth.

Beyond fee mechanics, UNIfication also streamlines Uniswap’s operational structure. The proposal transitions Uniswap Foundation teams and responsibilities into Uniswap Labs, removes fees from Labs’ interface, wallet, and API services, and establishes a recurring growth budget funded by UNI.

Voting has concluded on Unification 🦄

125,342,017 YES
742 NO

Unified, true to the name

After a ~2day vote timelock, 100m UNI will be burned, fee switches will be flipped, labs will turn off frontend fees and focus on the protocol, and more

Merry Christmas everyone 🎄 https://t.co/wpsEC8udlW pic.twitter.com/P0rJmLN9Cc

— Hayden Adams 🦄 (@haydenzadams) December 25, 2025
That budget is designed to support long-term development and ecosystem expansion rather than short-term incentives.

Following approval, the proposal enters a two-day timelock, after which Uniswap will execute a one-time burn of 100 million UNI.

The figure represents an estimate of how much UNI might have been burned had the fee switch been active since the token’s launch.

The governance package also introduces a Protocol Fee Discount Auctions system designed to improve returns for liquidity providers while aligning Uniswap Labs, the Uniswap Foundation, and on-chain governance under a single legal structure using Wyoming’s DUNA framework.

Several influential figures in decentralized finance backed the UNIfication proposal, including Variant founder Jesse Waldren, Synthetix and Infinex founder Kain Warwick, and former Uniswap Labs engineer Ian Lapham, all of whom hold substantial voting power.

Uniswap Cites Shift in Regulatory Climate as It Moves Toward Value CaptureThe move comes after years of regulatory pressure on DeFi under former SEC Chair Gary Gensler.

In the proposal, Uniswap argued that the regulatory landscape has shifted and that decentralized finance has reached a stage of broader acceptance, making it possible to implement protocol-level value capture.

“I believe Uniswap protocol can be the primary place tokens are traded,” Adams said, adding that the proposal “sets the stage for the next decade of its growth.”

UNI was trading at $5.92 as of late Thursday, up 18.9% over the past week.

Uniswap has generated more than $1.05 billion in fees so far this year, highlighting the scale of activity now feeding into its new economic model.

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Dogecoin's (CRYPTO: DOGE) official X account playfully invoked a “naughty list” on Christmas Day, calling out businesses that still don’t accept DOGE payments.

From ‘Naughty’ To ‘Nice’Dogecoin wished everyone a “Merry Dogemas” on the occasion. It then asked the community to tag companies on a so-called “naughty list” for not yet accepting DOGE payments.

“We’ll make sure they’re on the nice list for next year,” the X handle wrote.

See Also: Dogecoin (DOGE) Price Prediction 2025, 2026, 2030

Tesla And McDonald’s: Potential Candidates?Some of the responses included electric vehicle producer Tesla Inc. and X Corp., both of which are owned by Elon Musk.

A widely followed X user, going by the pseudonym Sir Doge of the Coin, tagged Tesla, stating, “Let's get back on the nice list!”

Tesla has an online shop with company merchandise. Though it currently only allows payment in dollars, it previously allowed users to make payments with Dogecoin.

Last year, Musk expressed a desire to reinstate the DOGE payment option, but little progress has been made as of now.

Interestingly, a user named TOPDOGE also tagged fast food chains McDonald’s and Burger King.

It’s worth highlighting that Musk publicly vowed to eat a McDonald’s Happy Meal on live television if the fast-food giant adopted Dogecoin.

Who's is going to accept Dogecoin first…@McDonalds or @BurgerKing?

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