December saw an uptick in Covid infections worldwide. Daily case numbers in the US topped one million for the first time, underlining the ongoing challenge of the pandemic.
Australia is in the midst of its biggest decline in immigration for more than 100 years.
That suggests housing construction activity could slow and that that the labour force could shrink in the years ahead.
While the month began with constructive discussions and agreements between the US and some of its trading partners, uncertainty returned to the market after President Trump threatened to impose new tariffs on Europe and multiple large corporates such as Apple, Samsung and Mattel, and again near month-end as the Court of International Trade deemed the global tariffs to be “contrary to law.”
The investment market volatility that kicked off in March 2025 has felt like a punch, particularly for those in or nearing retirement.
