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Stocks in the financial services sector get ready for less trading over the holidays

Author Evan J. Mercer

By Evan J. Mercer

December 21, 2025

Stocks in the financial services sector get ready for less trading over the holidays

Due to the holidays, U.S. financial services stocks will only be able to trade for a week.There will be fewer people and less trading this week.A lot of institutional investors are out of the office, so banks, insurers, and other financial companies probably won't have much money to lend.This makes it more likely that prices will change too much, even when there isn't any big news.

Stocks in the financial services sector get ready for less trading over the holidays Stocks in the financial services sector get ready for less trading over the holidays Stocks in the financial services sector get ready for less trading over the holidays

There are risks of volatility during a seasonal drop

In the past, short-term volatility has gotten worse during the holidays, especially in industries that are sensitive to rates, like finance.When there is less turnover and bigger bid-ask gaps, intraday swings can be bigger.This means that sector benchmarks like the S&P 500 Financials segment are more affected by changes in sentiment than they are during normal trading weeks.

Information about the economy is still a big factor

The calendar is quieter right now, but upcoming U.S. economic data releases are likely to have a big effect on where the market goes.Investors will watch inflation trends, the job market, and consumer spending closely to see what the Federal Reserve will do next.Financial equities tend to react quickly to changes in interest-rate expectations because they have a direct impact on lending margins and profits.

Banks and insurance companies are being careful

Major U.S. banks and insurance companies are starting the week carefully as investors weigh the risks of loan growth and credit demand against the fact that they have a lot of money.People often choose stability over taking risks when there isn't a lot of liquidity in the market.They are waiting for trading conditions to get back to normal before making big changes to their portfolios.

What to look forward to this week

Even though the holiday season is usually a quieter time for business, companies in the financial sector are still likely to face sudden changes.If the market is thin, any sudden changes in economic data or the bond market could have a bigger effect.This keeps investors on their toes while the markets are quiet but maybe not so stable.


Author Evan J. Mercer

EVAN J. MERCER

ABOUT AUTHOR

In the U.S., Evan J. Mercer is a financial journalist who writes about banking, rules, and changes in the institutional market. He has a degree in economics and has worked as a reporter for about ten years.

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