Markets appeared calm on the surface but experienced sharp swings as shifting expectations for Fed policy, weaker US data and speculation about a more dovish new Fed chair collided with rising doubts over the sustainability and valuation of the AI boom. Speculative AI names, semiconductors, defence stocks, crypto and China
On the surface, returns from most asset classes and markets appear to reflect a becalmed and uneventful month: global equities returned 0.3% (MSCI World index), and global government bonds 0.1%. However, this masks considerable intra-month volatility; the S&P 500 index suffered its biggest setback since April’s ‘Liberation Day’, with a
Here is the NDL Fund Insight for December 2025. Download PDF
Heightened geopolitical tensions, policy shifts and economic fragility globally are likely to keep investors cautious, support safe-haven assets, and create selective opportunities in strategic sectors such as manufacturing, raw materials and exports. Download PDF