Big news for New Year’s Day week: The chairman of the Federal Reserve may be announced, Buffett will retire, and the “No. 1 GPU stock in Hong Kong” will be listed

During the New Year holiday, stock markets in Mainland China (A - shares), Hong Kong, the United States, Japan and South Korea, as well as the China Financial Futures Exchange (CFFEX) and the Guangzhou Futures Exchange (GZFE), will be closed. PMI data from China and the United States will be released. The Federal Reserve will publish the minutes of its meeting, and the successor to Jerome Powell may be announced. Meanwhile, Warren Buffett, the "Oracle of Omaha", will officially step down, with Greg Abel taking over as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway. Biren Technology, known as the "first Hong Kong - listed GPU stock", and 51WORLD, the "first Physical AI stock", are about to be listed. A fierce "price - hiking spree" has swept through the industrial sector, with many paper - making enterprises raising their prices one after another.

# List of Key Financial Events from December 29 to January 4 (All in Beijing Time)

Key focuses for the coming week include the closure of the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock markets, U.S. stock markets and commodity exchanges during the New Year holiday, China - U.S. PMI data, the release of the Federal Reserve's monetary policy meeting minutes, the possible announcement of the Federal Reserve Chair nominee, and Buffett's official resignation as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway. Additionally, Biren Technology, the "first Hong Kong - listed GPU stock", and 51WORLD, the "first Physical AI stock", are on the verge of listing.

Furthermore, after sharp fluctuations in its secondary market price, Guotou Silver LOF has tightened its subscription restrictions again. The Fujian Provincial Regulations on Promoting Cross - Strait Standard Compatibility will come into effect on January 1. A strong "price - hiking wave" has hit the industrial end, and many paper - making companies have raised their prices one after another.

## Economic Indicators

### China's Official Manufacturing PMI for December

On December 31, China will release its official manufacturing PMI data for December. Following the November manufacturing PMI of 49.2, which was in the contraction range, the market is watching closely to see if the economic prosperity can further improve at the end of the year. Institutions such as CITIC Securities predict that with policy support, the manufacturing PMI may continue to edge up. Key points to watch include the recovery of domestic demand reflected by the new orders index and the performance differences among enterprises of different sizes.

### U.S. S&P Global Manufacturing PMI for December

The U.S. S&P Global Manufacturing PMI data for December will be released on Friday, January 2. In addition, the U.S. November pending home sales index will be released on Monday, December 29, and the U.S. initial jobless claims for the week ending December 27 will be released on Wednesday, December 31.

## Federal Reserve to Release Monetary Policy Meeting Minutes

The minutes of the Federal Reserve's December policy meeting will be released on Tuesday, December 30. The market expects that these minutes will continue to reveal the "strong divergence" among Fed officials regarding the short - term policy path. The October minutes showed that "most" officials believed further interest rate cuts were possible, while "several" officials argued that another 25 - basis - point rate cut might not be appropriate in December.

## Financial Events

### U.S. President Trump May Nominate New Federal Reserve Chair in the First Week of January

It is reported that U.S. President Trump may nominate a new Federal Reserve Chair in the first week of January. Top candidates to succeed Jerome Powell include White House Economic Advisor Kevin Hassett, former Fed Governor Kevin Warsh, as well as current Fed Governors Christopher Waller and Michelle Bowman. Powell's four - year term as Chair will expire in May 2026.

This is an uncertain event, and there is a high possibility that the announcement will be postponed.

### Buffett Officially Steps Down as Berkshire CEO; Abel Takes Over

At Berkshire Hathaway's annual shareholders' meeting in May this year, Buffett announced that he would step down as CEO of the company by the end of 2025, and Vice Chair Greg Abel would take over the position on January 1, 2026. Meanwhile, Buffett will remain as Chairman of the Board.

### Market Closures During New Year Holiday

From January 1 to January 4 is the New Year holiday.

The Shanghai and Shenzhen Stock Exchanges have issued notices stating that in accordance with the relevant circulars from the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC), the arrangements for market closures during some holidays in 2026 are as follows. For the New Year holiday: the markets will be closed from January 1 (Thursday) to January 3 (Saturday), and resume trading on January 5 (Monday). In addition, January 4 (Sunday) is a weekend closure day.

CFFEX and GZFE have announced their market closure arrangements for some holidays in 2026: for the New Year holiday, the exchanges will be closed from January 1 (Thursday) to January 3 (Saturday), and resume operations on January 5 (Monday). January 4 (Sunday) is a weekend closure day.

In addition, stock markets in Hong Kong, the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Malaysia will also be closed on January 1. Japan's stock market will be closed extra on January 2.

### Biren Technology Expected to List in Hong Kong on January 2

Biren Technology, the "first Hong Kong - listed GPU stock", has set its Hong Kong IPO price range at HK$17.00 - 19.60 per share. It plans to list for trading on January 2 next year, with the stock code "6082". The company holds unfulfilled binding orders totaling approximately 822 million yuan. The funds raised from the IPO will be mainly used for the R & D and commercialization of next - generation chips.

### 51WORLD and Lin Qingxuan Expected to List in Hong Kong on December 30

51WORLD, the "first Physical AI stock", and consumer brand Lin Qingxuan are expected to list on the Hong Kong stock market on December 30. Arbitrage funds will help ease the premium. The fund has adjusted its investment limits multiple times in just two months. It was reduced from 6,000 yuan to 100 yuan on October 20, raised from 100 yuan to 500 yuan on December 19, and then lowered back to 100 yuan in the latest announcement.

### Guotou UBS Silver Futures Securities Investment Fund (LOF) Suspends Subscription for Class C Shares

Guotou UBS Silver Futures Securities Investment Fund (LOF) has issued an announcement on suspending the subscription (including regular fixed - amount investment) of its Class C fund shares. To protect the interests of fund share holders, the subscription of Class C fund shares of Guotou UBS Silver Futures Securities Investment Fund (LOF) will be suspended starting from December 29, 2025. The specific time for canceling or adjusting the suspension of subscription (including regular fixed - amount investment) of Class C fund shares starting from December 29, 2025 will be announced separately.

### SHFE Adjusts Price Limits and Margin Requirements for Gold and Silver Futures

The Shanghai Futures Exchange (SHFE) announced that starting from the closing settlement on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, the price limit for gold and silver futures contracts will be adjusted to 15%. The margin ratio for hedging positions will be adjusted to 16%, and that for general positions will be adjusted to 17%. For the silver AG2602 contract, the price limit remains at 15%, the margin ratio for hedging positions stays at 16%, and that for general positions remains at 17%.

### GZFE to Waive and Reduce Fees from January 1

The Guangzhou Futures Exchange (GZFE) has decided that from January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2026, the following fee reduction and exemption measures will be implemented:

1. Waive the following fees for all futures varieties: delivery fees; standard warehouse receipt exchange - for - physicals fees; standard warehouse receipt transfer payment and collection fees; standard warehouse receipt margin - related fees.

2. Offer a 50% discount on hedging transaction fees for all futures and option varieties, which will be collected directly based on the standard transaction fee rates.

3. The above - mentioned measures do not apply to high - frequency traders recognized by the exchange.

### Price - Hiking Spree Hits Paper - Making and Other Industries

Jilin Chemical Fiber issued a notice stating that starting from January 1, 2026, the prices of its wet - spun 12K carbon fiber and 3K carbon fiber will increase by 5,000 yuan/ton and 10,000 yuan/ton respectively.

Bohui Paper issued a price - hike notice for industrial paper: starting from January 1, 2026, the price will be increased by 200 yuan/ton (including tax) based on the December 2025 price.

Asia Symbol announced that starting from January 1, 2026, the prices of all its products will be raised by 200 yuan/ton (including tax) on the current basis.

Hunan Yuneng issued a notice saying that starting from January 1, 2026, the processing fees for its entire series of lithium iron phosphate products will be increased by 3,000 yuan/ton (excluding tax) on the existing basis.

Hubei Rongcheng Recycling Technology announced that starting from January 4, 2026, the prices of its recycled paper and corrugated paper will be increased by 50 yuan/ton.

Shanying Paper stated that starting from January 4, 2026, the price of its T - grade paper will be raised by 50 yuan/ton.

Wuzhou Special Paper announced that starting from January 4, 2026, the price of its White Rhinoceros packaging paper products will be increased by 50 yuan/ton on the current basis.

### Fujian Provincial Regulations on Promoting Cross - Strait Standard Compatibility to Take Effect on January 1

On November 27, the 19th meeting of the Standing Committee of the 14th Fujian Provincial People's Congress voted to adopt the Fujian Provincial Regulations on Promoting Cross - Strait Standard Compatibility. It is the first local regulation formulated with the theme of promoting cross - strait standard compatibility and will come into effect on January 1, 2026. Meanwhile, the Fujian Provincial Regulations on Promoting the Private Economy will also take effect on January 1, 2026.

### Sharge to Launch Fujian Ship - Co - branded AI Glasses

Sharge has secured new investment and will release AI glasses co - branded with the Fujian ship on December 29.

### South Korean Foreign Exchange Market to Close on December 31

The South Korean foreign exchange market will be closed on December 31 and resume trading at 10:00 a.m. on January 2.

### Hubei Jingmen Maternity Support Policy to Take Effect on January 1, 2026

The maternity support policy in Jingmen, Hubei will be implemented on January 1, 2026: those undergoing in - vitro fertilization (IVF) can receive a subsidy of 10,000 yuan.

## Risk Warning and Disclaimer

The market is risky and investment should be made with caution. This article does not constitute personal investment advice and does not take into account the specific investment objectives, financial conditions or needs of individual users. Users should consider whether any opinions, viewpoints or conclusions in this article are in line with their specific circumstances. Any investment made based on this article shall be the sole responsibility of the investor.