Michaël Lok

Despite geopolitical tensions, investors embraced equities, with broader sector participation signalling hopes that corporate earnings growth will stretch beyond technology this year. The US dollar continued to soften, though this week’s inflation data is unlikely to spark any sharp drops.

Despite geopolitical turbulence, equity markets closed 2025 with the third consecutive year of double-digit performances, while gold and fixed income also recorded solid annual returns. Looking ahead, the outlook for 2026 is broadly seen as constructive. However, recent short-term equity rotations reinforce the case for broadening exposures to structural growth themes. This week, investors will focus on US labour market data.

As the year draws to a close, 2025 delivered robust return across all asset classes. We maintain our conviction in US equities and have upgraded emerging market debt from 3/5 to 4/5.

The Federal Reserve cut its key rates by 25 basis points to 3.25 - 3.75% last week, and surprised observers with the resumption of purchases of short-term Treasuries. The Fed also raised its 2026 growth forecasts to 2.3%. However, we maintain our current scenario of several Fed rate cuts in 2026.

On the equities markets, valuation concerns have resurfaced for AI-related companies, even as the Artificial Intelligence (AI) investment outlook remains robust, while risk appetite expends to cyclical equities. Such dynamics underscore the need for diversification and selectivity as we enter 2026.

Global equities closed the first week of December in positive territory, supported by rising expectations of a Fed rate cut, while the bond market experienced rate volatility. Attention now turns to the Federal Reserve, which is expected to deliver a 25-bp interest rate cut on Wednesday. A still-supportive backdrop continues to underpin equities, with fiscal stimulus measures, easing monetary policy and structural growth drivers encouraging investors to keep a broader perspective.

The last week of November ended strongly, following a period of market uncertainty. As December gets under way, seasonal patterns point to a firm year-end finish. However, attention is now turning to next week’s Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting. Market expectations became markedly more dovish in the final week of November amid growing concerns about the labour market; investors are now pricing in a 25-bp rate cut in December.

Despite Nvidia’s stronger-than-expected results and upbeat guidance, investor sentiment remained fragile. A mixture of fatigue and doubts about AI, shifting expectations for a potential Federal Reserve rate cut in December, and a rise in long-term Japanese yields fuelled sharp swings across equity markets. This week, investors will closely monitor the continuing Russia–Ukraine discussions for signs of an end to the conflict.

Doubts over a December interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve and concerns over the scale and timing of AI-related capex weighed on sentiment, underscoring the fragile market landscape. Now that the US government’s 43-day shutdown has ended, investors are awaiting the delayed September non-farm payrolls report this week. The publication of the minutes from the Federal Reserve’s meeting and Nvidia’s earning report, both on Wednesday, will be also closely scrutinised.

In the US, stronger corporate investment, resilient household spending, and the prospect of monetary easing led us to upgrade our outlook on US growth for 2026. This improved economic momentum reinforces our high-yield bond conviction of 4/5 and reaffirms our positive stance on US equities of 4/5.