The S&P 500 is up 26.6% on the year. Lori Calvacina, head of U.S. equity strategy at RBC Capital Markets, predicts another solid year of gains in 2025, though potentially slower than 2024. She anticipates some volatility with 5% to 10% drawdowns but expects continued moderation in inflation, elevated P/E multiples, and solid earnings growth to drive the market higher. RBC has a $6,600 price target for the S&P 500 next year, representing a 10% increase from current levels.
Dan Ives, global head of tech research at Wedbush Securities, remains bullish on the tech sector due to the transformative potential of the AI revolution. He acknowledges potential headline risks from China tariff discussions but advises focusing on long-term winners. Additionally, he sees the departure of Lina Khan from the FTC as a positive development, likely leading to more acquisitions in the tech industry.
President-elect Trump appointed Kevin Marino Cabrera as U.S. ambassador to Panama amid concerns about high fees for U.S. shipping through the Panama Canal and potential Chinese influence. Cabrera, a Miami-Dade County commissioner and Trump campaign worker, is seen as knowledgeable about Latin American politics. Trump accused Panama of exploiting the U.S., stating they have 'ripped us off far beyond their wildest dreams.'
Netflix made its NFL debut by broadcasting two Christmas Day games, which were not competitive and had no technical issues. The highlight was Beyoncé's nearly 13-minute halftime performance in Houston, which energized the hometown crowd. The event marked a significant milestone for Netflix as it expands into live sports broadcasting.
Ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas are stalled, with both sides accusing each other of complicating efforts. Hamas claims Israel introduced new conditions related to withdrawal from Gaza, prisoner releases, and the return of displaced people. Israel, however, accuses Hamas of reneging on previously agreed understandings. The situation remains tense, with reports of three babies dying in Gaza due to cold conditions.
Research from Google shows that organizations using 10 or more cybersecurity tools average 14 security incidents per year, more than double those using fewer tools. This highlights the inefficiency of a bolted-on approach to cybersecurity. Experts recommend investing in secure-by-design productivity tools across email, documents, and video conferencing to reduce the burden on IT teams and improve overall security.
On today's podcast: 1) Wall Street gets back to trading on a holiday shortened week 2) President-elect Trump names an ambassador to Panama as he accuses the country of ripping off the US 3) Israel and Hamas trade accusations as ceasefire negotiations continue
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