CLOSING BELL
The Weak Holiday Week Continues
Source: Tenor
Everyone is OOO this week, including your normal market sherpa, Kevin Travers, so you’re stuck with me, Tom Bruni, for the next two days.
In today’s newsletter, we recap 2025’s performance, pay homage to the “Oracle of Omaha,” share a new episode of Stocktwits Retail Edge, and outline the Stocktwits community’s top picks for the new year.
Enjoy the read and have a happy New Year’s celebration. We’ll see you back on Friday for the first trading day of 2026!
STOCKS
Closing The Books On 2025 Performance
After years of underperformance and frustration, precious metals were the belle of the ball in 2025, with Silver and Platinum both topping 100% gains and Palladium and Gold putting on a show as well.
Stocks did well too, specifically international markets like Japan’s Nikkei 225, the Euro Stoxx 50, and Germany's DAX, as well as others across the developed and emerging market space. U.S. stocks also performed, led once again by the Nasdaq 100, though small-caps struggled despite their year-end breakout to new all-time highs.
On the downside, several agricultural commodities and energy slipped along with the U.S. Dollar Index, which measures the currency’s performance against the Euro, British Pound, Yen, and four other major world currencies.
Bonds were flat despite several Fed rate cuts, as the market tries to balance risks of a recession via a labor-weakening market and persistent inflation.
Source: Finviz
Heading into 2026, strategists across Wall Street are expecting another bullish year, led by the technology and AI trade. What people can’t seem to agree on is crypto, which has been the standout laggard in 2025 and lacks a clear catalyst to move higher.
Regardless of Wall Street’s views, retail investors are leaning bullish and looking for a fourth year of strength off the 2022 lows. Check out the Stocktwits community’s top picks a few sections down to see what they’re buying and selling in the new year!
RETAIL NEWS
Goodbye To The “Oracle Of Omaha”
Today is Warren Buffett’s retirement as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, ending a legendary six-decade run leading the conglomerate. Vice Chairman Greg Abel is taking over operational control, though Buffett will remain Chairman of the board to ensure continuity.
Source: Koyfin
At 95 years old, Buffett is stepping back from the day-to-day grind of operating, with Berkshire positioned as a net seller of stocks over the last 12 quarters. The roughly $382 billion in cash on its balance sheet has been a “warning cry” of stock market bears, who say valuation has left buying opportunities for prudent investors like Buffett few and far between.
Still, the company’s portfolio remains heavily invested in blue-chip names like Apple, American Express, Bank of America, Coca-Cola, Chevron, Occidental Petroleum, Moody’s, Chubb, Kraft Heinz, and Alphabet. Now the real question is how Greg Abel and the other managers will adjust this positioning now that they’ve got the reins?
Berkshire Hathaway has lagged the broader market and financial sector since May, when Buffett made his announcement, highlighting investor concern about the transition and whether the stock can perform without Buffett’s touch.
Stocks sentiment is in “neutral territory,” signaling the jury is still out among retail investors. Time will tell whether this is a “Be greedy when others are fearful” situation in Berkshire or if the bear’s pessimistic forecast comes true.
COMMUNITY
The Stocks Community’s Top 2026 Picks
We polled the Stocks community on its top 2026 picks, and you can view the full thread here. However, we’ve created a summary for your viewing pleasure.
And for those with a more speculative nature, check out the community’s top stocks priced under $10.
POPS & DROPS
Top Stocks News Stories
Bill Ackman repeats his 2025 top pick for 2026, flagging further upside.
Ned Davis’ Matt Bauer says Silver is in a bubble.
Jim Cramer says Nike exec purchases signal a big year is ahead.
Uber is reportedly looking to acquire parking app SpotHero.
SpaceX’s Chinese competitorLandSpace eyes a $1 billion IPO.
Coupang’s data breach troubles escalate with South Korean regulators.
China earmarks $42 billion for 2026 stimulus projects.
Michael Burry flags Molina Healthcare as the next GEICO.