📈 Stocks / Finance

Catastrophe bond market nears $50 billion after record sales

Markets Insider

The catastrophe bond market reached $49.3 billion after $17.7 billion in sales this year, up 7% year-over-year. These bonds, transferring disaster risks like hurricanes to investors, offer high returns if disasters don't occur. Secondary perils and inflation drive insurer reliance on these instruments.

Nasdaq leads holiday rally with AI and EV stocks surging

Investor’s Business Daily

The Nasdaq gained 1.35% in a holiday rally, supported by AI and EV stocks like Nvidia and Tesla. Nvidia cleared key levels, and Tesla rose 7.4%, nearing record highs. Broadcom surged 48% in December. Despite gains, market breadth remains narrow, with megacaps driving performance.

Gold steadies on a weaker dollar and geopolitical tensions

Investing

Gold edged higher, with spot prices up 0.4% to $2,627.55 amid a slightly weaker dollar and Middle East tensions. Limited holiday trade and the Fed's hawkish stance restrained gains. Platinum and silver remained steady, while copper rose modestly on China’s fiscal stimulus plans.

🪙 Crypto

Russia embraces Bitcoin for foreign trade

Reuters

Russia's finance minister announced the use of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies in foreign trade to bypass Western sanctions, enabled by new legislation. President Putin criticized U.S. dollar dominance, highlighting Bitcoin's regulatory independence as key for future transactions.

🌎 Global Economy

Dollar strengthens as Fed signals cautious easing

Reuters

U.S. Treasury yields rose, with the 10-year at 4.613%, buoying the dollar near a two-year high. Markets expect only 35bps of Fed rate cuts for 2025, curbing gold and commodities. Asia shares eased despite Wall Street gains, while global equities head for a second straight 17% annual rise.

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