Jon Danielsson of the London School of Economics argues on VoxEU that efforts to eliminate financial crises can paradoxically raise their probability. He warns that while each crisis is followed by stronger financial supervision, these measures have not removed underlying vulnerabilities in the system. Danielsson’s piece highlights a persistent tension in policy: post-crisis regulation and oversight intensify, yet the financial system remains exposed to new shocks. The commentary calls attention to the limits of reactive supervision as a sole strategy for ensuring stability. The analysis is published on VoxEU and serves as a reminder for policymakers and market participants that tightening rules after crises does not necessarily eliminate systemic risk. #VoxEU #LSE #financialstability #FiatNews

On Dec. 31, 2025, Wall Street closed the year in a calm, technical mode. The final trading day of 2025 saw the main U.S. indices finish marginally in the red, reflecting subdued activity on the screens. The closing session was attributed to low liquidity and an absence of new fundamental impulses, leaving trading largely technical. The commentary described the day as "very calm and technical," with indices ending "slightly in the red." No specific index readings or individual stock moves were detailed in the report. Further market participants’ reactions and full session data were not provided. #WallStreet #USMarkets #Stocks #2025 #FiatNews

The US dollar is set for its steepest annual fall since 2017 as markets price in further weakness driven by the Federal Reserve’s return to rate cuts. The dollar has dropped 9.5% this year against a basket of major currencies; the euro has surged nearly 14% to above $1.17. Wall Street banks forecast the euro at $1.20 and the pound at $1.36 by end-2026. Analysts say the currency’s slide began after President Donald Trump’s tariff announcements in April and was prolonged when the Fed resumed easing in September. Traders expect two to three quarter-point Fed cuts by the end of 2026, while the ECB has signalled it may hold or raise rates. “This has been one of the worst years for dollar performance in the history of free-floating exchange rates,” said George Saravelos of Deutsche Bank. ING’s James Knightley added the Fed is “still very much in easing mode.” The dollar’s weakness helps US exporters but hurts some European firms with US sales. Market attention also focuses on the next Fed chair, with reports that candidates perceived as likely to cut more aggressively could further pressure the currency. Mark Sobel of OMFIF warned of a slow erosion of the dollar’s dominance, while SocGen’s Kit Juckes noted US tech-driven growth could limit how far the Fed can cut. #USD #EUR #Fed #FX #FiatNews

A review of 2025’s US trade policy highlights an active year of tariff measures under President Donald Trump, describing a global offensive of trade barriers and detailing the chronology of actions taken through the year. #trade #Trump #FiatNews

Will a stronger dollar reduce the attractiveness of U.S. investment assets? A recent commentary asks this question and points out that the best forecast for next year’s return on the U.S. equity market — and arguably any other year — is the simple expected return. At present that expected return is estimated to be roughly 8%. The piece frames this expected return as the primary benchmark for investors assessing prospective performance. That 8% figure is presented as the central planning assumption for returns over the coming year. Taken together, the analysis suggests investors should weigh the current expected return of about 8% when judging how currency moves might alter the appeal of U.S. assets, rather than relying solely on short-term exchange-rate developments. #USD #USstocks #Equities #FiatNews

Czech National Bank data show household lending at banks rose in November to about CZK 2.565 trillion, a month-on-month increase of roughly CZK 19.4 billion. Loans to non‑financial corporations also grew, climbing by about CZK 26.9 billion to approximately CZK 1.491 trillion. #CNB #CzechRepublic #CZK The figures were reported for November and reflect month-on-month changes in bank lending stock. Household debt at banks reached around CZK 2.565 trillion, while corporate credit outstanding was near CZK 1.491 trillion. The data points come from the central bank’s lending aggregates for November, showing simultaneous rises in both consumer and business lending without additional commentary from the source. #FiatNews

In an interview published on Dec. 31, 2025, Martin Kupka, economist at ČSOB and KBC, said that economies in Central and Eastern Europe have faced global pressures but remain surprisingly resilient, with the Czech Republic emerging as the best performer in regional comparisons and Bulgaria on track to join the eurozone. Kupka framed the Czech outcome as a relative success story within the region and outlined contrasts with neighbors such as Poland, Slovakia and Hungary. He explained the drivers behind the Czech Republic’s stronger showing and detailed what Bulgaria’s euro entry will mean for the country’s economic integration. Kupka also described important differences in performance and policy across Poland, Slovakia and Hungary, noting that the region’s resilience has been uneven. The interview provides a regional outlook highlighting both common external headwinds and varied national responses that shape each country’s macroeconomic trajectory. #CzechRepublic #Bulgaria #eurozone #CentralEurope #FiatNews

Warren Buffett officially steps down as chief executive of Berkshire Hathaway on Dec. 31, 2025. From Jan. 1, 2026, Greg Abel will take over the leadership of the conglomerate, marking the start of a new era at the company. #BerkshireHathaway #WarrenBuffett #GregAbel Buffett, long described in the report as an investing legend and the "Oracle of Omaha," leaves the post he has held through decades of the firm’s development. The announcement in the year-end note confirms a planned, orderly handover of responsibilities. The report raises the question of whether governance or investment strategy will change under Abel. No specifics on shifts to strategy or portfolio management were provided in the source; the changeover itself is presented as the principal development. #FiatNews

Spanish equities have emerged as the top-performing major market in Europe, posting their strongest annual performance since the early 1990s. Market participants and strategists say the rally marks the best year for Spain’s main stock market since 1993. Bloomberg reports analysts expect the momentum to carry into the coming year. The advance is attributed to a mix of stronger economic fundamentals, an improving outlook for corporate earnings and a supportive domestic market environment. These factors have combined to lift investor sentiment and drive gains across Spanish-listed stocks. Bloomberg-cited analysts anticipate continued growth next year, though no specific forecasts were cited in the report. #Spain #equities #markets #Bloomberg #FiatNews

On the last trading day of the year (31 December 2025), the main European equity index traded near record highs as most European stocks strengthened. The index is up about 17% for the year, marking the strongest annual gain since 2021. Traders noted broad-based gains across European markets on the year-end session, leaving the key benchmark close to its all-time peak. The roughly 17% advance represents the best yearly performance of the index in four years. No single driver was specified in the report; the move was described as a general strengthening of European shares into year-end. #EuropeStocks #Markets #FiatNews

President Donald Trump’s trade policy in 2025 unleashed tariff battles around the world, making the year one of repeated reversals and upheaval in US trade relations. The overview characterizes 2025 as a year full of twists and sets out a chronological review of the administration’s trade offensive. The original piece, dated 31 December 2025, retraces the sequence of measures that defined the year: a series of tariff announcements, subsequent countermeasures and shifts in negotiating stances. It frames these events as a sustained, global trade campaign rather than a single isolated dispute. The report aims to provide a timeline of actions and reactions through the year and places the 2025 offensive in the broader context of US trade policy under President Trump. #Trump #trade #tariffs #FiatNews

As markets enter 2026, attention turns to what central banks will do next. Monetary policy remained one of the main drivers of financial markets through 2025; after aggressive rate hikes to counter an inflation shock, both the Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank have since moved in the opposite direction, loosening monetary conditions. The question now is how their next steps will shape markets and economic momentum in the year ahead. Key facts: central banks were the principal market movers in 2025. Following a period of significant tightening, the Fed and the ECB reversed course and continued to ease policy, contributing to looser financing conditions across advanced economies. Investors will closely monitor inflation prints, growth indicators and policy statements for signs of further adjustments. Context: the shift from rapid rate increases to easing reflects central banks’ responses to shifting inflation and growth dynamics. Market participants will be watching upcoming central bank meetings and economic data for clearer guidance on the trajectory of rates and liquidity in 2026. #MonetaryPolicy #Fed #ECB #FiatNews

European markets will trade for only a half-day on Dec. 31, 2025, with shortened sessions across major exchanges for the end-of-year holiday. Investors should expect lighter volumes and reduced post-market activity. #EuropeMarkets #FiatNews

Trump Mobile has postponed the planned release of its mobile phone, citing a delay in the launch schedule on Dec. 31, 2025. The company did not provide a new release date in initial reports. #TrumpMobile #FiatNews

Warner Bros. Discovery will again reject a takeover offer from Paramount, according to reports on Dec. 31, 2025. The decision closes the door on another approach by Paramount and keeps the companies on separate strategic paths. #WBD #PARA #FiatNews

Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Dec. 31, 2025 that China will meet its economic targets for the year, signaling confidence in the country’s policy measures and recovery efforts. The comment underscores Beijing’s focus on stabilizing growth amid global headwinds. #China #FiatNews

Federal Reserve minutes from the December meeting, released Dec. 31, 2025, show policymakers signaled a willingness to consider further interest-rate reductions. The record highlights debate over timing and pace of cuts as officials weigh inflation trends and economic data. #Fed #FederalReserve #FiatNews

Moody's Analytics warns that U.S. growth around 2% is unlikely to generate strong job gains. Mark Zandi said the latest labor data show a positive development in initial unemployment claims, but firms remain reluctant to add many new employees. He stresses that sustained job creation is essential to prevent the economy from tipping into recession. Zandi highlighted the disconnect between improving claims figures and weak hiring: while layoffs may be easing, payroll growth has not picked up enough to support broader demand. Growth near 2% typically does not deliver the level of job creation needed to close slack in the labor market. The assessment underscores the importance of monitoring payrolls and hiring trends as indicators of whether modest GDP growth can be translated into stronger employment and a more resilient economy. #US #Jobs #MoodysAnalytics #FiatNews

Fed minutes from the December meeting reinforced market expectations for additional rate cuts next year, while U.S. equities traded nearly unchanged and overall market sentiment remained calm on Dec. 30, 2025. The release did not prompt large moves, with investors appearing to have already priced in prospective easing. The minutes supported bets on lower policy rates in the coming year, confirming the Fed discussion on the timing of adjustments. Market calm following the note suggests limited surprise in the details and a steady reaction across equities and bond markets. #Fed #USStocks #InterestRates #FiatNews

As markets enter the new year, commentators highlight the tension between investor sentiment and fundamental valuation levels. The piece argues that valuation metrics serve as a crossover between sentiment and fundamentals and cautions that signals of deep pessimism would be inconsistent with historically elevated valuations. "I cannot really imagine a situation where an indicator credibly points to negative sentiment and strong risk aversion while valuations are historically very high," the commentary states (30 Dec 2025). Key takeaways: current valuation measures remain above long-term norms, suggesting limited coherence with any narrative of broad risk aversion. The note implies investors should weigh valuation context alongside sentiment indicators when assessing market direction in early 2026. #markets #valuation #sentiment #stocks #FiatNews