OpenAI Expands Globally with First Overseas AI Lab in Singapore 
PDG Explores $1 Billion Sale of China Data Center Assets 
Oil Prices Climb as Trump Warns of Possible U.S. Strike on Iran 
Australia Regulator Flags Private Credit Risks Amid Global Market Uncertainty 
Texas Sues Meta Over WhatsApp Encryption Claims 
Oil Prices Rebound as U.S.-Iran Talks Continue to Influence Global Crude Market 
Japan Inflation Falls Below BOJ Target as Energy Subsidies Ease Consumer Pressure 
SoftBank Shares Surge as OpenAI IPO Buzz and SB Energy Filing Boost AI Optimism 
US Stock Futures Slip as Nvidia Earnings Fail to Fully Impress Investors 
US Economy Fueled by AI Investment Faces Rising Risks Ahead of Fed Meeting 
H.B. Fuller Eyes Advanced Medical Solutions in Potential £600M Takeover Deal 
Asian Stocks Slide Ahead of Nvidia Earnings as Tech Shares Tumble 
Asian Stocks Rally as Nvidia Earnings Boost Tech Shares, Samsung Jumps on Wage Deal 
Mexico-EU Free Trade Deal Signals Strategic Shift Away From U.S. Dependence 
Trump to Swear In Kevin Warsh as New Federal Reserve Chair Amid Inflation Concerns 
Iran-U.S. Talks Continue as Strait of Hormuz and Uranium Dispute Stall Peace Efforts 
UBS strategists predict the S&P 500 will close 2025 at 6,400, driven by backloaded returns. Despite early-year challenges, U.S. equities are expected to outperform global counterparts, particularly European and emerging markets, amid a cooling global economy.
S&P 500 Gains Expected to Be Backloaded in 2025
UBS market analysts project that the S&P 500 will close the year 2025 at approximately 6,400. With returns "being backloaded," the bank noted in a note, this would represent an approximately 9% increase from the current levels.
"After a rally this year through Trump’s cabinet appointments, we see mild downside in equities in H1 next year amid a step down in US growth," wrote strategists led by Arend Kapteyn.
After more reasonable earnings predictions are made, the company believes that the equity markets will be in a better position in the second half of 2025.
U.S. Equities to Outpace Europe and Emerging Markets
According to Investing.com, although US stocks may underperform European shares for a few months, UBS predicts that US stocks will beat European equities in the long run. On the other hand, compared to EM stocks, European stocks are expected to do better.
When it comes to style, UBS says that quality equities will keep doing better than value companies, and that the US will be a shining example.
Among emerging markets, the bank has singled out Chinese internet companies as a prime target. Nevertheless, the business cautions against putting too much stock in trade gains involving China's other benefactors.
Global Growth Slows Amid Tariff Challenges
Global economic indicators such as falling inflation and interest rates, fastest-rising real earnings in 20 years, and early indications of a housing market revival are encouraging, but strategists predict a slowdown in growth.
In particular, they anticipate a slowdown in worldwide growth over the next two years, with estimates ranging from 2.6% to 3.2%. Reasons for this prediction include the thought that the US economy will slow down and, more importantly, the effect that US tariffs will have on China's economy, which is already in a precarious position.
