LifeGoals Market Update

LifeGoals
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  • UPDATED MONTHLY

Monthly market update from LifeGoals Asset Management Department.

Episodes

  1. JAN 23

    Update for January 2026

    This market report covers developments in December 2025 and January 2026. US job growth remained weak, with only 50,000 new jobs in December, making 2025 the slowest hiring year outside a recession since 2003. Inflation remained at 2.7%, with no Fed rate cut expected until June. The Trump administration opened a criminal investigation into Fed Chair Powell, intensifying political pressure on monetary policy. Tensions escalated after Trump threatened new tariffs on eight European countries unless the US is allowed to buy Greenland. Europe is considering strong countermeasures, including a potential €93bn tariff package and activating the Anti-Coercion Instrument. This trade rift has cast uncertainty over US-Europe relations and delayed progress on the EU-US trade deal. Euro area inflation edged down to 2.0%, and the ECB held rates steady while signaling a possible future hike if growth momentum continues. Oil prices rose 7–8% on improved global growth sentiment. Gold hit a record high of $4,730 (+7.9%), while Bitcoin rose 5.7% to $90,940. US equities reached new highs before retreating on “sell America” sentiment triggered by the Greenland dispute. European stocks were mixed, with Germany’s DAX up 2.9%. Bond yields rose in the US but fell slightly in parts of Europe. Cyprus inflation held at 0.1%, with 10-year yields dipping slightly to 3.13%. US bank earnings were mixed; megabanks beat estimates but saw share price declines on valuation concerns. European banks were set to report in late January and early February.

    17 min

  2. 12/18/2025

    Update for November/December 2025

    This market report reviews macroeconomic and market developments in November and December 2025. In the US, delayed jobs data showed weak payroll growth—just 64,000 in November—while the unemployment rate rose to 4.6%, the highest since 2021. Wage growth slowed to 0.1%, and the job market remains constrained by tighter immigration policies. The Fed cut interest rates by 0.25% to a range of 3.50%–3.75%, while also announcing renewed Treasury purchases amid liquidity concerns. Euro area inflation ticked up to 2.2% in November, with the ECB expected to hold rates steady at its December meeting. Inflation diverged across the bloc: Cyprus held steady at 0.2%, while Greece jumped to 2.9%. Oil prices dropped 7% over the month due to oversupply fears and progress on a potential Russia-Ukraine peace deal. Gold surged 7.4% to record highs ($4,368), while Bitcoin fell 7.5% to $86,060 amid broader risk-off sentiment. US equities reached new highs mid-December before pulling back on weak tech/AI performance. Nvidia, Microsoft, and Meta all saw notable declines, while the Dow and old economy stocks outperformed. European equities posted solid gains, with Germany’s DAX up 3.4%. Yields rose across the board in the US and Europe, steepening the yield curve and boosting bank stocks. Cyprus 10-year yields rose to 3.17%. The EURO STOXX Banks Index is up 76% year-to-date, marking its best year ever. The US dollar weakened modestly, with gains in the euro, sterling, and Canadian dollar. The yen fell sharply by 4.6% vs the dollar.

    13 min
  • 2 Episodes

About

Monthly market update from LifeGoals Asset Management Department.

Information

  • Creator
    LifeGoals
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    2
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 LifeGoals Market Update