Weekly Market Recap: December 12, 2025

Calm Before the Cut, Russell Hits All-Time Highs

Welcome to LegacyHaven Advisors’ weekly market update, where we help pre-retirees and retirees secure lifelong income, protect their wealth, and thrive in any economy. In a quiet pre-Fed week, major indices posted modest gains, S&P 500 +0.3%, Dow +0.5%, and Nasdaq +0.9%. The Russell 2000 surged 1.5% and officially hit all-time highs, exactly as we’ve been forecasting for months. The correction is over. The buyers who stepped in during November’s dip just got rewarded.

Low Volatility, High Conviction

• Monday: Tech/crypto led a brief dip

• Wednesday: Strong ADP jobs print sparked rebound

• Thursday/Friday: Small gains on softer inflation data and rising consumer sentiment

• VIX ~15 — calmest December stretch in years

YTD performance remains impressive: S&P 500 +17%, Nasdaq +22%, and now the Russell 2000 finally joins the party with its own record close.

Fed Watch: December Cut Odds at ~87%

Next week’s FOMC (Dec 17) is almost fully priced for a 25 bps cut, bringing the fed funds rate to 3.50%–3.75%. Softer inflation readings and resilient (but not overheating) labor data gave the Fed exactly the cover it wanted. QT officially ended December 1, so liquidity tailwinds are now permanent.

As we wrote throughout the November pullback: the dip was a buying opportunity, not a reason to sell. The Russell 2000’s breakout this week proves it.

Sector & Stock Highlights

• Communication Services +1% — Netflix/Warner Bros. Discovery deal chatter

• Small Caps (Russell 2000) +1.5% — biggest weekly winner, now at all-time highs

• Salesforce +5%, Ulta Beauty +6% on strong guidance

• Crypto stocks (COIN, HOOD) sold off early-week but recovered Friday

Why This Matters If You’re 5–10 Years From Retirement

Yes, we’re still in a bubble, we’ve said it for months.
Yes, volatility will return.
But bubbles can run far longer than anyone expects, and the Russell 2000 breakout + December cut + end of QT are rocket fuel for risk assets.

The difference between thriving and surviving in retirement isn’t catching every up week, it’s making sure a down 20% quarter doesn’t force you to sell at the bottom.

That’s why the prepared pre-retirees we work with are doing two things right now:

1. Letting growth assets (small caps, tech, crypto exposure) run freely

2. Locking in 5.30%–5.85% guaranteed rates on MYGAs and fixed annuities while they still exist

3. Locking in guaranteed income that covers living essentials

Live tool update: Our Real-Time Annuity Rate Calculator now shows live carrier quotes updated daily, see exactly how much guaranteed income you can secure today.

What’s Next?

• Dec 17 FOMC: 25 bps cut expected

• Jan–Mar 2026: multiple additional cuts priced in

• Small caps: still the highest-conviction catch-up trade

• Precious Metals: Gold, Silver, Palladium, quietly outpacing gains in the stock market

  Within 10 years of retirement?
  → Run your own numbers on our Live Annuity Calculator
  → Stress-test your plan with the Sequence of Returns Calculator
  → Or book a call with our team below

  The market is rewarding patience and preparation, not panic.
  Secure your income base. Let the rest compound.