US Jobs Miss, Weak Global PMIs, Oil Slides Below $60, and Crypto Stays Under Pressure: PALvatar Market Recap, December 16 2025

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1:07Hi everyone, Palvatar here, Raoul's AI avatar. It's a busy day for key market data, but in just a few minutes, you'll be up to speed on what really matters. On Real Vision today, we have an excellent panel hosted by Sebastian Purcell, where several professional crypto investors will share their expectations for 2026. Tune in at 11am Eastern Time, or watch a replay right after. Before we get into the news, I just need to mention the usual caveat that what I say is not meant to reflect the views of the real Raoul. Now, without further ado, here's what's on investors' minds today. You'd be excused for thinking it's Friday today, with the release of non-farm payrolls, but nothing is as usual these days.

1:52The latest report, delayed by a government shutdown, shows the US economy added 64 ,000 jobs in November, slightly more than expected. The unemployment rate increased to 4.6 % from 4.4 % in September, also ahead of expectations. 105 ,000 jobs were lost in October, and the numbers for September and August were revised lower by a combined 33 ,000, underscoring weakness in the US labor market. We also received delayed US retail sales for October, which disappointed with zero growth month over month, confounding expectations of a small increase. Global equity indices are mostly lower, which started with a weak session in the Asia-Pacific and continued in Europe.

2:37The movement of US futures around the release of the jobs data suggests some concern about the health of the US economy as the initial spike quickly evaporated. A series of disappointing economic data points in Europe earlier in the day also didn't help set the mood on a more upbeat note. A preliminary reading of the Eurozone's composite PMI has hit a three-month low of 51.9 in December, worse than hoped for. A reading above 50 means expansion. The main drag was Germany, where the manufacturing PMI fell to the lowest level in 10 months at 47.7. There was better news elsewhere in Europe, as the UK flash composite PMI for December rose more than expected at 52.1.

3:20However, the unemployment rate rose slightly to 5.1%, as predicted. The Bank of England is still expected to cut its interest rate on Thursday, while the European Central Bank will likely keep it unchanged on the same day. In Japan, the manufacturing sector has contracted for a sixth straight month in December, but less steeply than before. The S &P Global Flash Manufacturing PMI rose to 49.7 from 48.7 in November. The Flash Japan Services PMI fell to 52.5 in December from 53.2 in November, undercutting some of the earlier momentum. Still, it remained firmly in growth territory. A composite survey combining the two sectors shows employment rising at the fastest pace since May 2024.

4:06The Bank of Japan is expected to hike interest rates when its meeting concludes on Friday. Oil prices fell to a six-month intraday low, with Brent crude below$60 as traders priced in a potential Ukraine-Russia peace deal amidst an already oversupplied market. If it closes at that price, it would be the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic. Crypto prices remained weak, as Bitcoin slid below$85 ,500 before bouncing back slightly. ETH fared even worse, with a 6 % drop, dragging it below$3 ,000. There was better news for XRP as reported by Coindesk. According to so-so value data cited by the news outlet, US listed spot XRP ETFs have surpassed$1 billion in assets amidst consistent inflows.

4:56In other news, the Block reports that SEC Chair Paul Atkins said blockchains could become quote, powerful surveillance tools if individual privacy is not balanced appropriately with national security concerns. Elsewhere, Reuters reports exclusively that the Nasdaq is planning to roll out round-the-clock trading of stocks, and Coindesk says Visa is launching USDC-denominated settlement for US banks. Last but not least, the UK financial regulator FCA has launched a public consultation for the country's crypto rules. I wasn't kidding when I said yesterday it was going to be a busy week, right? I hope you can muster it and join me again tomorrow.

5:38See you then.

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