U.S. financial markets are closed today, Thursday, January 1st, 2026, in observance of the New Year's Day holiday. Both the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and Nasdaq will remain shut, with regular trading hours set to resume on Friday, January 2nd, 2026. This market holiday provides a pause for investors to reflect on a remarkably strong 2025 and to strategize for the opportunities and challenges that the new year may bring.2025 Closes with a Slight Pullback, But Stellar Annual GainsThe final trading day of ...

Core Points - Striking workers at Boeing Defense's St. Louis-area facilities approved the company's latest contract offer, ending a 101-day-long strike [1] - The strike had significant impacts on the production of fighter jets and other programs [1] Company Summary - The approval of the contract offer by the union officials marks a resolution to the prolonged strike, which lasted for over three months [1] - The strike's duration indicates potential challenges in labor relations and production timelines for Boeing Defense [1] Industry Summary - The resolution of the strike is expected to alleviate production delays in the defense sector, particularly for fighter jets [1] - The outcome may influence labor negotiations and operational strategies within the aerospace and defense industry [1]

Core Points - A union representing over 3,200 Boeing workers is set to vote on a contract offer on October 26 [1] Group 1 - The union represents workers who assemble fighter jets and munitions [1]

Core Viewpoint - Boeing Co's shares have decreased by 0.5% to $220.85 following a strike by 3,200 union employees in Missouri and Illinois, marking the first strike since 1996 after rejecting a new contract offer [1] Group 1: Stock Performance - Boeing's stock has been declining since reaching a 52-week high of $242.69 on July 29, post-earnings [1] - The stock has shown a 24% increase so far in 2025 [1] - The $220 level appears to be acting as support, along with the 40-day moving average [1] Group 2: Options Activity - There has been a notable increase in call options activity, with a 50-day call/put volume ratio of 2.42, ranking higher than 96% of readings from the past year [2] - The current options are considered reasonably priced, with a Schaeffer's Volatility Index (SVI) of 30%, which is in the low 6th percentile of its annual range, indicating low volatility expectations [3]

Core Points - Union members at Boeing's St. Louis facility rejected the latest contract offer and will strike starting midnight on Monday [1] - Boeing is prepared for the strike and has implemented a contingency plan [2] - The original contract proposal from Boeing included a 20% wage increase over four years and a $5,000 ratification bonus, which the union deemed insufficient [4] - A new contract offer was sent to the union with minor compensation changes benefiting senior members, while maintaining current overtime policies [5] - Boeing's defense division is expanding manufacturing facilities in St. Louis for the new F-47A fighter jet, following a recent contract win [6][7] - The upcoming strike involves 3,200 employees, significantly smaller than the previous strike involving 33,000 machinists last fall [6]

Core Points - More than 3,200 unionized workers at Boeing's St Louis facility rejected the latest contract offer and will strike starting midnight on Monday [1] - The rejected offer included minor compensation changes benefiting senior members and maintained current overtime policies, with an average annual wage increase proposed from $75,000 to $102,600 [2] - Boeing's vice-president expressed disappointment over the rejection, highlighting a 40% average wage growth in the offer and readiness for a strike with contingency plans in place [3] Company Operations - This strike marks the first at Boeing's St Louis defense hub since 1996, coinciding with the expansion of manufacturing facilities for the new US Air Force fighter, the F-47 [4] - Boeing's CEO indicated that the planned strike would be smaller than the previous year's 30,000-worker strike, which resulted in a $661 million charge related to the KC-46 tanker development [4][5] - Boeing holds contracts for several major Defense Department programs, including the F-47 and F-15EX fighters, T-7 training jet, and the Air Force One recapitalization effort [5]

Group 1 - Stock markets experienced a rally due to a ceasefire between Israel and Iran, which alleviated fears of escalating conflict [1] - Lockheed Martin's stock fell by 3% despite the overall market surge, indicating investor concerns about future demand for military products [1][3] - The recent spike in Lockheed Martin's stock was driven by heightened demand expectations during the Israel-Iran conflict, but the stock is now returning to pre-conflict levels [4] Group 2 - The demand for Lockheed Martin's weapons systems typically increases during conflicts and decreases in peaceful times, leading to volatility in stock performance [3] - The current ceasefire may lead to a misinterpretation of future demand for Lockheed Martin's products, as there will always be a need for military systems regardless of active conflict [5]