US stocks again hit records, with expectation of trade deals and rate cuts. That market has shown outstanding results this year, just as we've seen Australian shares record their biggest gains in years. Defence stocks are leading the charge in both markets. And we've seen gold stocks rally (the sector had its best half year since the global financial crisis). Specifically, Palantir recorded the biggest gain in the Nasdaq-100 for first-half, up 80%. And Austal is up more than 100% on the Australian sharemarket in 2025.

Stocks, ETFs mentioned include ANZ Bank, Austal, Commonwealth Bank, Deep Yellow,