Financial News Trends: Holiday Spending, Personal Finance and Retirement, and 2025 Financial Forecasts

A look at the finance industry news from PR Newswire in November and December that you might have missed.

 

Finance News Trends, November-December 2024

 

By Christabelle Bautista | Published Jan. 10, 2025

 

Over 7,000 finance-related press releases crossed the wire in November and December, so we understand if you've had trouble keeping up! Over the past two months, we've been keeping a close eye on the headlines, and we're here to share some of the finance trends that have caught our attention.

As the holidays wrapped up and we began to look toward the new year, there were many releases about holiday spending and what 2025 will look like in the finance industry. The new year is also a time when many reflect on their personal finances and retirement, as we found in many of the releases distributed via PR Newswire.

Let’s get started!

Popular Finance Releases

These are some of the most-viewed headlines from November and December:

Finance News Trends

Now let’s dive into some of the finance news trends from the last two months:

Holiday Spending

As the holidays wrapped up, spending data revealed a mix of cautious optimism among U.S. consumers. The average American was estimated to spend over $2,000 in the 2024 holiday season, according to an Achieve study, and credit card rewards programs played a significant role in the season's spending. A CardRates.com survey found that 83% of consumers choose credit cards based on the perks they offer, like cashback incentives and travel rewards, so it’s no surprise that these perks have become an essential tool for consumers looking for ways to maximize their buying power during the festive season.

Below are a few releases about holiday spending trends that we spotted throughout November and December:

Something retailers never fail to do during the end of the year is implement creative approaches to bringing Santa’s magic to customers, and finance companies are no different. For example, check out Revive Real Estate’s remodeling of Santa’s North Pole home. This campaign merged a modern design with holiday magic, which captured many people’s attention both online and in-store. Santa’s House from Zillow debuted the company's newest feature, “Let Santa Know You Moved,” which allows families to notify Santa about their new address and claim their home on Zillow, ensuring he would know exactly where to deliver gifts. 

Personal Finance and Retirement

As we begin 2025, personal finance and planning for retirement remain pressing concerns for many Americans. Financial anxiety continues to weigh on people, as we mentioned in our previous recap, especially as they enter their golden years. Some indicators show hopeful economic trends, but many people remain worried about their financial future.

According to a survey by Debt.com, over half of Americans expect to leave debt to their loved ones after death. This startling statistic highlights the widespread struggle to obtain financial stability, even in retirement. Another survey found that many people are concerned about not having saved up enough to comfortably retire and it's keeping many Americans up at night. These findings highlight the importance of proactive financial planning to avoid these common regrets. As cliché as it may be, it's true - you’re never too young to start saving for the future.

Besides the obvious solution to “start saving sooner,” some people choose to seek advice from a professional to help them optimize their wealth for a more secure retirement. A report by Pontera and the Independent Advisor Alliance emphasizes the importance of financial advisors in optimizing retirement savings through planning, analysis, rebalancing and tax strategies that incorporate all their clients’ investment and retirement accounts.

Another study found that retirement-related regrets are inspiring Americans to make finance-related resolutions in the new year. Some of these goals include increasing savings rates, cutting unnecessary expenses and seeking advice from a professional.

2025 Financial Forecasts

The beginning of the year is always a time that we spot press releases reflecting on the previous 12 months and others that look ahead and share what to expect in the industry. In 2025, it’s clear that Americans are reevaluating their financial priorities and seeking ways to secure their futures. Economic uncertainty is expected to significantly shape financial landscapes across industries.

Due to recent economic fluctuations such as inflation and tighter credit conditions, many experts predict that consumers will remain cautious in 2025. Over a quarter of Americans plan to reduce their spending in 2025 due to concerns surrounding their personal finances and the economy, according to a BMO survey. This likely means people will be more selective with their purchases, prioritizing value and long-term benefits over impulse buying.

Though the average household may face challenges with housing and everyday goods, the Vanguard 2025 Economic Outlook predicts pressures may ease slightly, giving businesses and consumers more breathing room. However, economic growth is expected to remain moderate, with geopolitical uncertainties and supply chain disruptions continuing to affect global markets.

In response to heightened geopolitical risks and the need for more resilient supply chains, a Bain & Company report shows that businesses are moving production closer to home to avoid supply chain delays and trade issues. This shift should lead to faster production, more local manufacturing and possibly lower costs for some products. However, businesses may face higher labor costs and infrastructure investments, which could mean an increase in prices for the consumer. This S&P Global report highlights the potential for climate-related disruptions, which could increase challenges for global supply chains, leading to unpredictable costs for industries that rely heavily on international trade.

Here are a few more 2025 financial forecasts sent via PR Newswire in November and December:

Looking Ahead

We’ll be closely monitoring releases covering year-end financial results to gauge how businesses are navigating the rising costs and supply chain shifts. We’ll also be tracking consumer responses to the housing market. AI adoption will continue to reshape the financial sector while the industry addresses emerging risks tied to data privacy and ethical concerns. Personal finance trends such as cautious spending and retirement planning will remain pivotal as consumers face ongoing economic uncertainty.

Stay tuned!

 

Stay Caught Up On The Latest Finance News - Read the latest

 

About the Author

Christabelle Bautista headshotChristabelle Bautista is a Senior Content Editor at PR Newswire, and has been with the company since 2018. She enjoys trying new foods, seeing new places, and watching whatever new musical is in town.