XAU/USD – Daily Chart
Forex Signals Dec 31: Stocks to Watch – JBS, CODI, and ALPS Earnings Preview
As the year closes, attention turns to a compact but telling earnings slate featuring JBS, Compass Diversified, and ALPS Group, offering...
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Last updated: Wednesday, December 31, 2025
Quick overview
- The Federal Reserve's December meeting minutes indicate a cautious approach to future rate cuts, with April now seen as the earliest potential date for a reduction.
- Earnings reports from JBS, Compass Diversified, and ALPS Group on December 31 are expected to provide insights into profitability and market trends as the year ends.
- Market reactions show cryptocurrencies facing selling pressure while precious metals like gold and silver are rebounding amid ongoing policy uncertainty.
- The performance of these companies will be closely watched for indications of resilience and strategic direction heading into the new year.
As the year closes, attention turns to a compact but telling earnings slate featuring JBS, Compass Diversified, and ALPS Group, offering insight into trends across protein, diversified holdings, and asset management.
Fed Minutes Signal a Cautious Pause
The Federal Reserve’s December meeting minutes, published on December 30, indicate that policymakers are inclined to pause further easing after delivering a 25-basis-point rate cut in December. The tone of the discussion suggests a desire to assess incoming data before taking additional action, reinforcing a more patient policy stance.
Rate Cut Expectations Shift Further Out
Markets had already ruled out a January rate cut, and the language in the minutes solidified that expectation. Notably, the discussion also tempered enthusiasm for a March move, with some elements of the minutes even casting doubt over the pace of cuts extending into early 2026. As a result, April now appears to be the earliest realistic window for the next rate reduction.
Market Reaction Across Asset Classes
Following the release, Bitcoin and the broader cryptocurrency market faced renewed selling pressure as higher-for-longer rate expectations weighed on risk appetite. In contrast, precious metals rebounded after Monday’s pullback, with gold stabilising and silver leading gains as investors returned to hard assets amid ongoing policy uncertainty.
Key Market Events to Watch Today:
While not a heavyweight earnings day, December 31’s reports from JBS, Compass Diversified, and ALPS Group could provide valuable signals on profitability, cash flow strength, and strategic direction as markets transition into the new year.
Earnings Calendar – December 31
📌 JBS N.V. (JBS)
- Market Capitalisation: ~$32.25 billion
- Reporting Period: September 2025
- Expected EPS: $0.54
Key Focus Points:
- Pricing power in global protein markets
- Margin trends amid feed and logistics costs
- Progress on efficiency and balance sheet discipline
Context: Expectations point to steady profitability, with investors watching whether JBS can maintain earnings momentum in a volatile commodities environment.
📌 Compass Diversified (CODI)
- Market Capitalisation: ~$352 million
- Reporting Period: September 2025
- Expected EPS: $0.56
- EPS Last Year: $0.37
Key Focus Points:
- Performance of portfolio companies
- Cash flow generation and dividend sustainability
- Capital allocation strategy
Context: The jump in expected EPS suggests improving operating leverage and a potentially stronger earnings profile year over year.
📌 ALPS Group Inc. (ALPS)
- Market Capitalisation: ~$150 million
- Reporting Period: September 2025
- Expected EPS: Not available
- EPS Last Year: $0.07
Key Focus Points:
- Asset inflows and fee growth
- Cost control in a competitive ETF and asset management space
- Outlook commentary for 2026
Context: With no consensus estimate, management guidance and operational updates may drive the market reaction.
Why This Matters
These results span consumer staples, diversified holdings, and financial services, offering a cross-section of earnings health. Year-over-year comparisons will help gauge resilience and execution heading into the new year. Forward guidance may be just as influential as headline EPS.
Gold Pushes Above $4,500
Although demand for safe haven assets is still high, gold fell precipitously from record highs following the Fed’s most recent rate cut comments, as profit-taking was prompted by Powell’s cautious tone. Earlier this month, gold jumped above $4.3800 following the Federal Reserve’s announcement of a 25 basis point rate decrease. But the impetus soon waned, and prices dropped back to $4,004. The 20 daily SMA (gray) held as support last week and buyers returned and pushed XAU above $4,500K. On Monday XAU pulled back but found support at the 20 daily SMA (gray).
USD/JPY Returns Lower After the BOJ
Foreign exchange markets saw sharp swings. Early in the week, U.S. yield differentials and Japanese capital outflows pushed the dollar above ¥150, but disappointing U.S. jobs data triggered profit-taking, causing the USD/JPY to slide by four yen from its peak. However, the new BOJ governor the JPY has weakened and USD/JPY soared to 154 and we decided to close our buy signal for more than 80 pips as the pair found support at the 20 daily SMA (gray) and has rebounded more than 200 pips off that MA but reversed after the 25 bps rate cut from the FED.
USD/JPY – Daily Chart
Cryptocurrency Update
Bitcoin Still Testing the 100 Weekly SMA
Cryptocurrencies remained highly active over the summer. Bitcoin (BTC) climbed to fresh highs of $123,000 and $124,000 in July and August, supported by institutional inflows and technical strength. However, remarks from Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent ruling out U.S. increases to BTC reserves triggered a steep pullback, sending the coin down below $105,000 before finding support at the 200 daily SMA (purple) and recovering above $115,000 but then fell toward $100K again. However BTC remains supported by the 100 weekly SMA (green) and only a break below that would risk further losses.
BTC/USD – Weekly Chart
Ethereum Faces the 50 Daily SMA
Ethereum (ETH) has been similarly strong, surging toward $4,800, its highest since 2021 and near its all-time peak of $4,860. Despite a dip last week, ETH found support at the 20-day SMA, with retail enthusiasm and renewed institutional participation driving fresh upside momentum. Last week we saw a dive below $2.700 but the 200 weekly SMA held as support and we’re seeing a rebound but buyers face the 50 SMA (yellow) now.
ETH/USD – Weekly Chart
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Skerdian Meta
Lead Analyst
Skerdian Meta Lead Analyst.
Skerdian is a professional Forex trader and a market analyst. He has been actively engaged in market analysis for the past 11 years. Before becoming our head analyst, Skerdian served as a trader and market analyst in Saxo Bank's local branch, Aksioner. Skerdian specialized in experimenting with developing models and hands-on trading. Skerdian has a masters degree in finance and investment.
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