• US equity markets advanced for a fourth consecutive session ahead of the annual 7-day "Santa Claus rally" period - Dow edged +80-points or +0.16% higher, with Nvidia Corp (+3.01%) comfortably the leading performer in the 30-stock index. McDonalds Corp (down -1.7%) and Walmart Inc (-1.51%) fell over >1.51%.

US equity markets advanced for a third consecutive session to open the holiday-shortened week - Dow rose +228-points or +0.47%, with Merck & Co (up +3.59%) the leading performer in the 30-stock index. Honeywell International fell -1.58% after the aerospace and industrial-automation company lowered its full-year earnings outlook and updated investors on its expectations surrounding the Flexjet lawsuit. Nike Inc -2.54%.

US equity markets booked a second consecutive session of solid gains on Friday (19 December) as the technology sector continued to regain its footing - Dow rose +183-points or +0.38% Nvidia Corp gained +3.93% to be the leading performer in the 30-stock index after Reuters, citing sources familiar with the matter, reported that the Trump administration is reviewing the prospect of the company selling its advanced artificial intelligence (AI) chips to China. Earlier this month, President Donald Trump said that he will allow Nvidia to ship its H200 AI chips to “approved customers” in the country. Nvidia and Alphabet Inc are the only two members of the so-called ‘Magnificent Seven’ cohort of large capitalisation technology stocks to be outperforming the S&P500 in 2025. Nike Inc dropped -10.54% after the sports giant released its second quarter result after the close of the previous session and reported weaker revenue in Greater China.

In this episode, Michael Knox and Stephen Austin from the ABC unpack the economic challenges Australia faces in 2025. With electricity subsidies ending and energy supply constraints persisting, households are bracing for higher power bills and rising inflation. Here’s what’s on the horizon:

The Executive Focus Series 2025 – Episode 2 🎤

Guest: Stephen Darke, Managing Director at Navigator Global Investments

Host: Chris Titley

In this episode of The Executive Focus Series 2025, Chris Titley speaks with Stephen Darke, Managing Director at Navigator Global Investments. Stephen shares his perspective on leading a global investment firm and the strategies that underpin Navigator’s approach to alternative asset management.

US equity markets were stronger overnight – Dow rose 0.14% driven by tech names Amazon up 2.4%, Nvidia up 1.8%, Microsoft up 1.65%, and Cisco 1.52%.

US equity markets retreated, with technology stocks again leading the weakness amid concerns around the level of investment spending on artificial intelligence (AI) and data centres - Dow fell -228-points or -0.47%, with Caterpillar Inc (down -4.59%) the worst performer in the 30-stock index. Nvidia Corp lost -3.81%.

US equity markets mostly weaker as investors digested the delayed November employment data - Dow fell -302-points or -0.62% to 48,114.26, logging a third straight session decline after booking a record closing high (48,704.01) last Thursday (11 December). Chevron Corp (-2.04%), Johnson & Johnson (-2.27%), Merck & Co (-1.98%) and United Health Group Inc (-2.02%) all falling ~2%.

Federal Reserve Interest Rate Outlook: What Investors Need to KnowThe Federal Reserve’s latest projections reveal a surprisingly moderate outlook for inflation and interest rates. Despite tariff concerns earlier this year, the Fed expects inflation to remain subdued and rates to decline gradually. Here’s what this means for markets and investors.

• US equity markets retreated top open the last full trading week of the year, with technology stocks under fresh pressure and with investors eyeing some key economic data later in the week - Dow dipped -41-points or +0.09% to 48,416.56, logging a record intra-day high (48,886.86) for a second straight session in opening trading. Salesforce Inc (down -2.92%) was the worst performer in the 30-stock index, while Amazon.com Inc (-1.61%) and 3M Co (-1.89%) fell over >1.5%.