Core Insights - Core U.S. consumer prices rose less than expected in December, indicating a potential easing of inflation as the Federal Reserve considers its next interest rate decision [1] - The consumer price index (CPI) excluding food and energy showed a monthly increase of 0.2% and an annual increase of 2.6%, both 0.1 percentage points below expectations, suggesting that core inflation may be stabilizing [2] - The overall CPI increased by 0.3% for the month, aligning with the Dow Jones consensus estimate, while the annual rate stood at 2.7%, indicating that inflation is moving closer to the Fed's 2% target but remains elevated [3] Detailed Breakdown - Shelter, a significant component of the CPI, rose by 0.4% monthly and 3.2% annually, contributing notably to the overall inflation figures [4] - Food prices increased by 0.7% for the month, with notable rises in recreation, airfares, and medical care, while some tariff-sensitive categories also saw price increases [5] - The recreation category experienced a record monthly gain of 1.2%, the largest since data collection began in 1993, highlighting significant inflationary pressures in certain sectors [5]

Core Insights - The article highlights significant developments in China's private equity and venture capital landscape, focusing on various funds established to support innovation and technology sectors [5]. Government-Backed Funds - The Bank of China launched a 600 billion yuan initiative to support key technology sectors, with 100 billion yuan allocated for equity investments and 500 billion yuan for credit financing [7]. - The Zhejiang Social Security Science and Technology Fund has completed registration with an initial scale of 500 billion yuan, targeting industries like AI and biomedicine [8]. - The Hebei Jin Capital Fund was established with a total scale of 32 billion yuan, focusing on high-end materials and new energy sectors [8]. Regional Investment Funds - The Hengqin Guangdong-Macao Deep Cooperation Zone Fund increased its scale from 10 billion yuan to 30 billion yuan, achieving a 7.89% annualized return [9]. - The Fujian (Xiamen) Social Security Science and Technology Fund has officially launched with a scale of 20 billion yuan, focusing on AI and advanced manufacturing [9]. - The Jiangsu Province has set up a 50 billion yuan AI special fund to promote AI development [10]. Private Equity and Venture Capital Developments - The Beijing Jingguo Fund was established with a scale of 4 billion yuan, focusing on private equity investments [15]. - The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority led a $770 million follow-on fund for CDH Fund V, indicating continued interest in Chinese assets [16]. - The "Puchuang Huazhang" direct investment fund was launched with a scale of 500 million yuan, targeting strategic emerging industries [16]. Sector-Specific Funds - The Huazhong University of Science and Technology established a 3 billion yuan fund for biomanufacturing projects [13]. - The Hainan Free Trade Port Construction Investment Fund doubled its capital to 200 billion yuan, focusing on high-tech and strategic industries [18]. - The China Southern Power Grid's fund reached 14 billion yuan, emphasizing carbon neutrality investments [18]. Emerging Trends - The article notes a growing trend of collaboration between private and public sectors to enhance investment in technology and innovation [5]. - There is a notable increase in funds targeting AI, biomedicine, and advanced manufacturing, reflecting a strategic shift towards high-tech industries [9][10][18].

Core Insights - Several prominent investors have increased their holdings in Procter & Gamble Co. (PG), indicating renewed confidence in the company's defensive earnings profile and global brand strength [1] Investor Activity - AQR Capital Management LLC, led by Cliff Asness, made the largest incremental purchase, increasing shares by 1,385,607 to a total of 2,483,354, valued at $0.38 billion, reflecting strong quantitative appeal due to PG's earnings stability and improving margins [2] - Grantham, Mayo, Van Otterloo & Co. LLC, under Jeremy Grantham, added 137,841 shares to reach 548,025 shares, valued at $0.08 billion, reinforcing long-term confidence in PG as a defensive compounder [3] - Fisher Asset Management, led by Ken Fisher, increased its position by 40,941 shares to 11,008,454 shares, valued at $1.69 billion, underscoring confidence in PG's global scale and consistent organic growth [3] - Bridgewater Associates, LP, managed by Ray Dalio, modestly increased its exposure by 8,546 shares to 141,455 shares, valued at $0.02 billion, aligning with a macro-defensive allocation strategy [4] - Fundsmith LLP, under Terry Smith, added 4,760 shares to reach 4,577,040 shares, valued at $0.70 billion, reinforcing conviction in PG as a high-quality business with strong brands [4] - Gotham Asset Management, LLC, led by Joel Greenblatt, increased its position by 3,921 shares to 79,456 shares, valued at $0.01 billion, consistent with a quantitative value approach [5] - GAMCO Investors, Inc., managed by Mario Gabelli, made a small adjustment of 140 shares to 59,310 shares, valued at $0.01 billion, signaling continued confidence in PG's brand equity [6] - Maverick Capital Ltd, led by Lee Ainslie, initiated a new position with 24,110 shares, indicating emerging conviction in PG's defensive growth characteristics [6] Overall Market Sentiment - The buying activity in Procter & Gamble this quarter reflects accumulation across various investor types, reinforcing PG's status as a premier consumer staples compounder with pricing power and durable cash flows suitable for uncertain economic conditions [7]

Group 1: Company Overview - Church & Dwight Co., Inc. (NYSE:CHD) is recognized as the leading US producer of sodium bicarbonate, commonly known as baking soda, and operates a diverse portfolio of personal care, household, and specialty brands [5] Group 2: Recent Developments - On January 5, Wells Fargo maintained an Overweight rating on Church & Dwight but reduced its price target from $100 to $92 as part of an update to its models across Beverage, Food, and Home and Personal Care sectors, extending these assumptions into 2026 [2] - In December, Church & Dwight completed a strategic review of its vitamins, minerals, and supplements (VMS) business, announcing a definitive agreement to sell the VitaFusion and L'il Critters brands to Piping Rock Health Products [3] - The VMS business represents less than 5% of the expected net sales for 2025, indicating that the sale will have a limited impact on the overall business [4] Group 3: Financial Implications - The company anticipates a one-time, after-tax charge of $40 million to $45 million in the fourth quarter of 2025 related to the sale, which includes net proceeds, a non-cash impairment, and costs associated with the transition and transaction [4]

Core Insights - Indian equity markets experienced a significant decline, with the benchmark BSE Sensex falling by 2,185.77 points, or 2.54%, reflecting weak investor sentiment and heightened risk aversion due to renewed US tariff threats and rising geopolitical tensions [4][6] Company Performance - Reliance Industries saw its market capitalisation decrease by Rs 1,58,532.91 crore, bringing its total to Rs 19,96,445.69 crore, making it the largest loser in absolute terms [4][6] - HDFC Bank's valuation dropped by Rs 96,153.61 crore to Rs 14,44,150.26 crore [4][6] - Bharti Airtel's market capitalisation fell by Rs 45,274.72 crore to Rs 11,55,987.81 crore [4][6] - Bajaj Finance lost Rs 18,729.68 crore, closing at Rs 5,97,700.75 crore [4][6] - Larsen & Toubro's market capitalisation decreased by Rs 18,728.53 crore to Rs 5,53,912.03 crore [4][6] - Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) saw a decline of Rs 15,232.14 crore, resulting in a valuation of Rs 11,60,682.48 crore [4][6] - Infosys' market capitalisation edged lower by Rs 10,760.59 crore to Rs 6,70,875 crore [6] Positive Performers - ICICI Bank's valuation increased by Rs 34,901.81 crore to Rs 10,03,674.95 crore [5][6] - Hindustan Unilever added Rs 6,097.19 crore, reaching a market capitalisation of Rs 5,57,734.23 crore [5][6] - State Bank of India's market capitalisation rose by Rs 599.99 crore to Rs 9,23,061.76 crore [5][6] Market Overview - The combined market capitalisation of seven of India's ten most valued companies fell by Rs 3,63,412.18 crore last week [6] - Despite the overall losses, Reliance Industries remained the most valued company in India, followed by HDFC Bank, TCS, Bharti Airtel, ICICI Bank, State Bank of India, Infosys, Bajaj Finance, Hindustan Unilever, and Larsen & Toubro [5][6]

Market Performance - The stock market has experienced significant growth over the past three years, with the S&P 500 delivering annual gains of 24%, 23%, and 16% respectively [1] - The S&P 500 has climbed in double digits in each of the past three years, driven by investor interest in growth stocks, particularly in innovative fields such as AI and quantum computing [7] Economic Environment - Investors are optimistic about a lower interest rate environment, as the Federal Reserve began cutting rates in 2024, which reduces borrowing costs for companies and provides relief to consumers [2] - The lower rate environment is seen as beneficial for consumer-related businesses, enhancing their growth potential [2] Market Dynamics - The stock market's upward trajectory has not been linear, facing interruptions from various factors, including President Trump's import tariffs, which raised concerns about corporate earnings [5] - Despite these headwinds, the market rebounded quickly due to negotiations, exceptions for certain industries, and positive corporate earnings reports [6] - Concerns about a potential AI bubble emerged, but investor confidence was restored by high demand for AI products and strong earnings from major AI companies like Nvidia and Advanced Micro Devices [6]

Core Viewpoint - Morgan Stanley's Chief Investment Officer Mike Wilson presents a bullish outlook for the U.S. equity market, predicting high teens earnings growth and focusing on the consumer goods sector as a key investment area [1][5]. Group 1: Economic Drivers - Wilson describes the market's path as "crystal clear," driven by a stabilizing Federal Reserve and legislative support that will rejuvenate the consumer sector [2]. - He emphasizes a combination of falling interest rates and fiscal stimulus as factors that will unlock pent-up demand in the consumer goods sector [2][3]. Group 2: Consumer Goods Sector Performance - Wilson identifies consumer goods as his top conviction pick for the year, suggesting that the sector is poised for a rebound after experiencing a "rolling recession" [2]. - The Dow Jones U.S. Consumer Goods Index has shown a performance of 9.62% over the last six months, while year-to-date performance is -1.40% and one-year performance is 6.42% [4]. Group 3: Earnings Outlook - Contrary to concerns about a slowdown, Wilson asserts that the earnings outlook is strengthening, forecasting earnings growth in the "high teens" as the market rally expands beyond the technology sector [5]. - A significant factor in this optimism is the Federal Reserve's renewed asset purchasing to stabilize funding markets, which Wilson views as a positive development for investors [6].

Core Insights - The "High-Income DIY Portfolios" Marketplace service aims to provide high income with low risk and capital preservation for DIY investors, particularly targeting income investors such as retirees or near-retirees [1][2] - The service offers a total of 10 model portfolios, including 3 buy-and-hold, 3 rotational portfolios, and a conservative NPP strategy portfolio, designed to create stable, long-term passive income with sustainable yields [1][2] Group 1 - The service includes two High-Income portfolios, two Dividend Growth Investing (DGI) portfolios, and a conservative NPP strategy portfolio that focuses on low drawdowns and high growth [1] - The unique 3-basket investment approach aims for 30% lower drawdowns, 6% current income, and market-beating growth over the long term [2] - The portfolios are structured to cater to varying levels of risk and include buy and sell alerts along with live chat support for investors [2]

Core Viewpoint - A class action securities lawsuit has been filed against Perrigo Company plc, alleging securities fraud that affected investors between February 27, 2023, and November 4, 2025 [1]. Group 1: Allegations of Fraud - The lawsuit claims that Perrigo's acquisition of the infant formula business from Nestlé was significantly underinvested in maintenance and operational improvements [2]. - It is alleged that Perrigo needed to incur substantial capital and operational expenditures beyond previously stated cost estimates to address issues in the infant formula business [2]. - The complaint points out significant manufacturing deficiencies in the facility related to the infant formula business [2]. - As a result of these issues, Perrigo's financial results, including earnings and cash flow, were reportedly overstated [2]. - The lawsuit asserts that the positive statements made by the defendants regarding Perrigo's business and prospects were materially misleading and lacked a reasonable basis [2]. Group 2: Legal Process and Participation - Investors who suffered losses during the specified timeframe have until January 16, 2026, to request to be appointed as lead plaintiff [3]. - Participation in the lawsuit does not require serving as a lead plaintiff, and class members may be entitled to compensation without any out-of-pocket costs [3]. Group 3: Firm Background - Levi & Korsinsky has a history of securing hundreds of millions of dollars for shareholders and has extensive expertise in complex securities litigation [4]. - The firm has been recognized in ISS Securities Class Action Services' Top 50 Report for seven consecutive years as one of the leading securities litigation firms in the United States [4].

Core Viewpoint - A class action securities lawsuit has been filed against Perrigo Company plc, alleging securities fraud that affected investors between February 27, 2023, and November 4, 2025 [1]. Group 1: Allegations of Fraud - The lawsuit claims that Perrigo's acquisition of the infant formula business from Nestlé was significantly underinvested in maintenance and operational improvements [2]. - It is alleged that Perrigo needed to incur substantial capital and operational expenditures beyond previously stated cost estimates to address issues in the infant formula business [2]. - The complaint points out significant manufacturing deficiencies in the facility related to the infant formula business [2]. - As a result of these issues, Perrigo's financial results, including earnings and cash flow, were reportedly overstated [2]. - The positive statements made by the defendants regarding Perrigo's business and prospects were claimed to be materially misleading and lacked a reasonable basis [2]. Group 2: Legal Process and Participation - Investors who suffered losses during the specified timeframe have until January 16, 2026, to request to be appointed as lead plaintiff [3]. - Participation in the lawsuit does not require serving as a lead plaintiff, and class members may be entitled to compensation without any out-of-pocket costs [3]. Group 3: Firm Background - Levi & Korsinsky, LLP has a history of securing hundreds of millions of dollars for shareholders and has extensive expertise in complex securities litigation [4]. - The firm has been recognized in ISS Securities Class Action Services' Top 50 Report for seven consecutive years as one of the leading securities litigation firms in the United States [4].