Welcome Back,
Hi there
Good morning! In today’s issue, we’ll dig into the all of the latest moves and highlight what they mean for you right now. Along the way, you’ll find insights you can put to work immediately
Stock Market Update
Index Movement
Dow Jones: –0.20%
S&P 500: –0.14%
Nasdaq: –0.24%
Russell 2000: –0.76%
VIX: +0.92% (slightly higher implied volatility, signaling mild risk aversion)
Notable Movers
Strength at Openings & Value
Amazon (+1.6%), Broadcom (+0.1%), Citigroup (+1.1%), Intel (+1.7%), Meta (+1.1%), Oracle (+0.9%), UnitedHealth (+0.98%), Rolls-Royce (+1.45%) — all showing incremental strength.
Weakness in Growth / Cyclical
CoreWeave (CRVW) –1.36%, Costco –0.25%, Apple –0.25%, MU –0.59%, Tesla –1.13%, Walmart –1.51% — individual names showing profit taking or sector rotation headwinds.
Market insight:
While major indices trended slightly down, many mid-cap and defensive names held up better or showed green intraday readings. The VIX uptick suggests traders are pricing in near-term uncertainty.
Stock Tip:
In quiet tape near year-end, focus on quality companies with strong balance sheets and dividends — they tend to outperform during seasonal rotations.
Crypto Update
From today’s snapshot:
Bitcoin (~$88K) ticked up about +0.3% on the day, modestly positive sentiment.
Ethereum (~$2.97K) also gained slightly (~+0.2% intraday).
Major altcoins like BNB, XRP, Solana showed small upward moves, while others remained range bound.
Key takeaway:
Crypto markets are relatively steady, showing low volatility and slight risk appetite even as equities soften. Traders appear to be holding positions rather than aggressively selling, possibly refracting year-end flows and institutional steadiness.
Crypto Note:
Look for volume confirmation on small rallies — without sustained liquidity, prices can chop sideways easily.
PRESENTED BY WALLSTREET PREP
Real Estate Update
📊 U.S. Home Prices and Sales Data (Today)
Government data released today shows U.S. home prices rising at the slowest pace since 2012, with only a modest annual increase, signaling a cooler, more balanced market for buyers and sellers.
A Zillow report confirms seasonal cooling in home sales and ongoing affordability hurdles, though inventory looks healthier this winter.
📍 Notable Deals & Trends
A $101.5M waterfront estate in Miami sold, reflecting continued strength at the very high end of the luxury market.
In San Antonio, a major retail shopping center changed hands for the first time in decades, showing sustained investor interest in well-occupied retail properties.
Twin Cities industrial property deals dominated 2025, driven by outside institutional buyers and Amazon-linked facilities.
A landmark billions-dollar JCPenney property portfolio sale is in legal turmoil, spotlighting complexities in retail property transactions.
📌 What This Means Today
Markets are showing moderation rather than heat — price growth is slowing, inventory is stabilizing, and buyers are more selective. The luxury segment still sees major deals, while investor appetite for commercial assets remains real in specific locales.
Real Estate Tip — Year-End Insight
As inventory creeps up and pricing slows at the tail end of 2025, do thorough comps and be ready to negotiate, especially if buying in early 2026 when seasonal demand resumes.
Resource Update
Precious Metals
Gold: ~$4,356 (+0.15%)
Silver: ~$76.98 (+5.6%)
Platinum: ~$2,193.50 (+3.9%)
Palladium: ~$1,631.50 (–1.3%)
Metals takeaway:
Precious metals — especially silver and platinum — posted meaningful gains, hinting at risk hedging and industrial demand narratives. Gold’s mild uptick adds to flight-to-quality flows late in the year.
Energy
WTI Crude: ~$57.95 (slightly weaker)
Brent Crude: ~$61.92 (flat)
RBOB Gasoline: ~$172.10 (+0.3%)
Natural Gas: ~$3.97 (slightly weaker)
Heating Oil: ~$215.05 (+1.08%)
Energy takeaway:
Energy was mixed — liquids held near flat while heating oil outperformed — likely tied to regional winter demand patterns as cold weather persists. Crude’s slight weakness reflects broader macro caution.
Resource Tip:
In soft energy markets, look for seasonal demand drivers (heating oil, natural gas) or take small positions in diversified commodity ETFs to hedge equity risk.
That’s All For Today
I hope you enjoyed today’s issue of The Wealth Wagon. If you have any questions regarding today’s issue or future issues feel free to reply to this email and we will get back to you as soon as possible. Come back tomorrow for another great post. I hope to see you. 🤙
— Ryan Rincon, CEO and Founder at The Wealth Wagon Inc.
Disclaimer: This newsletter is for informational and educational purposes only and reflects the opinions of its editors and contributors. The content provided, including but not limited to real estate tips, stock market insights, business marketing strategies, and startup advice, is shared for general guidance and does not constitute financial, investment, real estate, legal, or business advice. We do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information provided. Past performance is not indicative of future results. All investment, real estate, and business decisions involve inherent risks, and readers are encouraged to perform their own due diligence and consult with qualified professionals before taking any action. This newsletter does not establish a fiduciary, advisory, or professional relationship between the publishers and readers.
