Review of Market Performance: Calendar Year 2025
Global economic growth hovered near trend in 2025. The dollar weakened sharply, while global equities and commodities posted strong gains. Bond returns improved as rates and credit spreads eased.
Global economic growth hovered near trend in 2025. The dollar weakened sharply, while global equities and commodities posted strong gains. Bond returns improved as rates and credit spreads eased.
Overall, we see the election outcome as positive for the Japanese economy and, by extension, the yen.
While Asia has demonstrated resilience to economic and geopolitical challenges, risks remain, and we expect economic growth and equity beta prospects to moderate as the region faces headwinds from slowing export growth and cooling consumption.
In this edition of VantagePoint, we examine how the rise of AI is reshaping the global energy landscape and highlight the most compelling opportunities and risks for investors.
Global markets rallied on October 26 following news that the United States and China have reached a “preliminary consensus” on several key issues. Although a formal agreement has not yet been announced, both sides are clearly working to de-escalate trade tensions that intensified in early October.
US tariffs added to market volatility in the fiscal year ended June 30, 2025. Nevertheless, most risk assets ended the year higher, supported by strong earnings ahead of tariff uncertainty and the prospect of continued central bank policy easing to support growth.
Asian and global market volatility surged in early 2025 as US tariffs triggered global growth fears. Given the export-oriented nature of most Asian economies and their sensitivity to global growth and demand, the region may bear the brunt of US tariffs. As such, Asia market volatility is likely to persist in the near term, particularly since US trade policy can shift abruptly.
Global equities tumbled nearly last week following the announcement of US tariffs on April 2, with the rout continuing into Monday, April 7.
Most risk assets enjoyed strong returns in the calendar year (CY) ended December 31, 2024. US equities led on better-than-expected economic data and AI-related growth.
This note provides an update on the current opportunity set in infrastructure investments and highlights some of our preferred areas in the private space, including energy transition and digital infrastructure.