Nasdaq, S&P 500, Dow futures rise as Wall Street counts chances of a 'Santa Claus' rally

🔒 Clearwater Analytics to go private in $8.4 billion deal

Clearwater Analytics (CWAN) said Sunday it has agreed to be acquired by an investor group led by Permira and Warburg Pincus, with participation from Temasek, in a deal valued at about $8.4 billion.

Under the deal, the company said its shareholders will receive $24.55 per share in cash at closing.

The company said its board unanimously recommended the transaction following a comprehensive review process that included discussions with strategic and financial parties, as well as advice from independent legal and financial advisers.

Clearwater said it will continue to operate normally while the transaction, expected to close in H1 2026, is pending.

Upon deal completion, Clearwater's shares will no longer trade on the New York Stock Exchange and the company will become privately held. MarketScreener reports.


🚕 Uber, Lyft to test Baidu robotaxis in UK from next year

Uber Technologies (UBER.N), opens new tab and Lyft (LYFT.O), opens new tab are teaming up with Chinese tech giant Baidu to try out driverless taxis in the UK next year, marking a major step in the global race to commercialize robotaxis.

It highlights how ride-hailing platforms are accelerating autonomous rollout through partnerships, positioning London as an early proving ground for large-scale robotaxi services in Europe.

Lyft, meanwhile, plans to deploy Baidu's autonomous vehicles in Germany and the UK under its platform, pending regulatory approval.

Both companies have abandoned in-house development of autonomous vehicles and now rely on alliances to accelerate adoption. Reuters reports.


🚀 Rocket Lab caps record year, lands $816 million defense contract

Rocket Lab Corporation (NASDAQ:RKLB) stock rose Monday after the company disclosed that it successfully launched its 21st Electron rocket of the year.

The company has deployed a satellite for the multi-launch customer Institute for Q-shu Pioneers of Space (iQPS), a Japan-based Earth imaging company.

The “The Wisdom God Guides” mission launched from Rocket Lab’s Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand on Dec. 21 at 7:36 p.m. local time (06:36 UTC), delivering the QPS-SAR-15 satellite for Japan-based iQPS.

The satellite will strengthen iQPS’s SAR constellation, providing near-real-time imagery across 12 orbits. The flight marked Electron’s 21st launch of the year, setting a new annual record with a perfect mission success rate. Benzinga reports.


🧬 Zenas BioPharma stock (ZBIO) lands on Citi’s catalyst watchlist ahead of key trial data

Zenas BioPharma stock (ZBIO) has landed on Citi's “upside 90-day catalyst watch” list, as markets anticipate crucial Phase 3 INDIGO trial results for its lead drug candidate, obexelimab.

The focus centers on the treatment of Immunoglobulin G4-Related Disease (IgG4-RD), with expectations building around the early January data readout.

ZBIO's stock performance reflects this anticipation, having surged 301.22% since the start of 2025, although it has experienced a recent pullback of 5.5% over the past month. Asktraders reports.


🔩 Copper heads toward $12,000 a ton as banks predict further gains

Copper (HG=F) climbed to a fresh record and approached $12,000 late in a year dominated by trade turmoil, tight supply and a bullish outlook on long-term demand.

With just a few trading days left before year-end on the London Metal Exchange, copper is up almost 40% in its biggest annual gain since 2009.

The metal that’s crucial for the energy transition has powered higher in recent months as growing concerns about tightening global supply have outweighed a slowdown in demand. Yahoo Finance reports.

“Markets can remain irrational longer than you can remain solvent.”

– John Maynard Keynes

Sourced in: Economics & Market Quotes – Britannica.

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