Market Performance - The S&P 500 reached a new record, climbing past 6,920 points with a year-to-date gain of 17% [1] - Other major indices also saw modest gains, indicating a potential fifth consecutive session of increases as the year ends [2] - The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) fell to 13.7, the lowest level since mid-December 2024, reflecting reduced market anxiety [2] Notable Stock Movements - Top gainers in the S&P 500 included Sandisk Corp. and Nike Inc., both rising approximately 5% [2] - Nike shares increased following Apple CEO Tim Cook's purchase of 50,000 shares at $58.97 each [3] - Micron Technology extended its post-earnings rally to 27% over the past five sessions, gaining an additional 4% [3] Banking Sector Highlights - Major banks like Citigroup, J.P. Morgan Chase, Wells Fargo, and Bank of America reached record levels, with Citigroup marking its sixteenth gain in the past seventeen sessions [3][4] Precious Metals and Crypto Markets - Precious metals experienced a pause in their rally, with gold slipping 0.4% after reaching an intraday high of $4,525 per ounce, and silver falling 0.8% after hitting $72.69 [4] - In the crypto market, Bitcoin decreased by 0.9% to around $87,000, marking a 7% decline year-to-date [5] ETF Performance - The Vanguard S&P 500 ETF rose 0.2% to $633.80, while the SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF gained 0.4% to $486.07 [7]

Core Insights - The manufacturing sector is experiencing significant challenges due to tariffs and trade uncertainties, with experts urging companies to avoid hasty decisions regarding relocation and supplier relationships [1][12] - Major firms like TSMC and Nvidia are making substantial investments in the U.S., but skepticism remains about the overall impact on domestic manufacturing revitalization [1] - The U.S. Congress estimates a potential 13% annual decline in manufacturing investments by 2029 due to prolonged trade uncertainties [2] Tariffs and Economic Impact - A significant percentage of manufacturers plan to pass on tariff-related cost increases to consumers, with 54% indicating they will pass on some costs or absorb them through reduced margins [3] - President Trump's tariffs could generate approximately $1 trillion in revenue over the next decade, translating to an average tax increase of $1,100 per U.S. household in 2025 [4] Manufacturing Trends - In 2025, 18% of manufacturers are actively considering shifting production back to the U.S. within six months, while another 18% are looking to do so but require more time [10] - Kearney's Reshoring Index fell by 311 points in 2025, indicating a gap between intentions to reshore and the reality of implementation [11] M&A and Investments - Industrial deal volume saw an 11.4% year-over-year decline from Q2 2025 to Q2 2024, attributed to tariffs affecting M&A activity [16] - TSMC plans to invest $100 billion in the U.S., with Apple also committing $100 million to domestic investments [18] Workforce Dynamics - The U.S. manufacturing sector employed approximately 76,000 fewer people in November 2025 compared to the previous year, with 329,000 job separations reported in October [23][24] - The unemployment rate in manufacturing stands at 3.3%, lower than the national average, with 3.6 million women employed in the sector [24][25] Automation and Technology - 80% of manufacturing executives plan to invest over 20% of their improvement budgets into smart manufacturing initiatives, viewing it as a key driver of competitiveness [29] - The global installation of industrial robots reached 542,000 units in 2024, with the U.S. accounting for 34,200 units, reflecting a 9% decline from the previous year [30] Federal Policy and Regulation - The Trump administration has taken 43 actions to modify or roll back various EPA regulations, impacting the manufacturing sector [35] - The EPA estimates potential cost savings of $786 million for manufacturers from modifying reporting requirements under the Toxic Substances Control Act [37]

Core Insights - The Hong Kong stock market opened positively with all three major indices rising, indicating a favorable market sentiment [1] - The Hang Seng Index increased by 0.42% to 25,800 points, while the Hang Seng Tech Index outperformed with a rise of 1.05% to 5,535 points [1] - The consumer sector in Hong Kong showed slight gains, with the Hong Kong Consumer ETF (513230) experiencing a minor increase, led by stocks such as Zhenjiu Lidou, which rose nearly 6% [1] Tourism and Consumer Trends - Domestic flight bookings to Hainan exceeded 720,000, marking a year-on-year growth of approximately 10%, reflecting strong travel demand [1] - The average spending per customer during the New Year holiday increased by 10% year-on-year, with the number of items purchased per person rising by 9% [1] - Car rental demand during the New Year period surged by about 1.8 times year-on-year, with a 2.5% increase in the number of people opting for different pickup and drop-off locations [1] - The top three cities for self-driving trips were Haikou, Sanya, and Urumqi, indicating a shift in consumer preferences towards personalized travel experiences [1] Consumer Behavior Insights - The resilience of tourism consumption in Hainan and the increase in average spending suggest that the middle class continues to show strong purchasing power during holiday seasons [1] - The emergence of "pet economy" and "self-driving travel" during the New Year holiday reflects consumers' willingness to pay a premium for personalized and private experiences, indicating a shift towards "emotional consumption" reshaping the tourism industry [1] Related ETFs - Tourism ETF (562510) is positioned to benefit from holiday catalysts and the ice and snow economy [2] - Food and Beverage ETF (515170) is seen as undervalued and poised to boost domestic demand [2] - Hong Kong Consumer ETF (513230) is linked to e-commerce leaders and new consumption trends [2]

Market Overview - Value stocks have shown signs of life, outperforming the market in the current quarter, with S&P value leading [1][2] - Only two of the FAANG stocks have outperformed the market this year, indicating a shift in market dynamics [2] Investment Strategy - Investors are advised to stay invested and avoid trying to time the market, focusing on less popular sectors that are not leading the market [3][5] - Healthcare is highlighted as a favorable sector due to its affordability and lower economic sensitivity, making it a good option if the economy slows [3][5] Stock Picks - UPS and Kimberly Clark are identified as attractive investment opportunities, both down nearly 50% from their highs, with Kimberly Clark offering a PE of 12 compared to its usual 19 and a safe dividend yield of 5% [6][10] - UPS has seen a significant drop of 60% from its highs, but the company is moving away from its reliance on Amazon, which could improve its performance [11] Market Trends - There is a belief that the current inflationary environment will persist, similar to trends seen in the 1970s, which could benefit materials and commodities [13]

Group 1 - US consumer sentiment rose in December, but the increase was less than expected [1] - US existing-home sales saw a slight increase in November, with contract closings up 0.5% to an annual rate of 4.13 million [1]

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 infant formula business, acquired from Nestlé, suffered from significant underinvestment in maintenance and operational improvements [2] - It is alleged that Perrigo needed to make substantial capital and operational expenditures beyond previously stated cost estimates to remediate issues in the infant formula business [2] - The complaint states that there were significant manufacturing deficiencies in the facility for the infant formula business [2] - As a result of these issues, Perrigo's financial results, including earnings and cash flow, were overstated [2] - The positive statements made by the defendants regarding the Company'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 relevant time frame have until January 16, 2026, to request to be appointed as lead plaintiff [3] - Class members may be entitled to compensation without any out-of-pocket costs or fees [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 top securities litigation firms in the United States [4]

Core Insights - Vanguard 500 Index Fund ETF Shares (NASDAQ:VOO) leads the ETF market with $1.5 trillion in assets and a low expense ratio of 0.03%, but ProShares S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats ETF (NYSEARCA:NOBL) offers superior cash flow with a yield of 2.1% compared to VOO's 1.09% [2][4] Group 1: NOBL's Income Generation - NOBL generates income solely from dividends of 68 blue-chip Dividend Aristocrats, which have a history of increasing dividends for over 25 years [3][4] - The ETF employs an equal-weighting methodology, with sector allocations of 22.5% in Industrials and 20.9% in Consumer Staples, minimizing concentration risk while maximizing exposure to reliable dividend payers [3][4] Group 2: Dividend Safety Analysis - Albemarle Corporation, with a 2.06% weighting, faces risks due to negative earnings of -$1.59 per share but maintains a $1.62 annual dividend [5] - Caterpillar, holding a 1.68% weighting, shows strong performance with a 46.3% return on equity and a 14.3% profit margin, supported by a $5.84 annual dividend and $19.49 in earnings [5] - Johnson & Johnson, with a 1.51% weighting, offers a 2.37% yield and has a 74% payout ratio, backed by a 27.3% profit margin and over 60 years of consecutive dividend increases [5] - Walmart and Procter & Gamble, with weightings of 1.56% and 1.33% respectively, maintain conservative payout ratios of 32% and 60%, generating significant free cash flow to support dividend growth [5]

Core Insights - A significant number of Chinese consumer brands are expanding into the American retail market to take advantage of higher profit margins and to compensate for slow domestic spending in China [1] Group 1 - The expansion of Chinese consumer brands into the U.S. retail sector is driven by the potential for richer margins [1] - This trend reflects a strategic response to sluggish consumer spending in China [1]

Upgrades - Morgan Stanley upgraded Rollins (ROL) to Overweight from Equal Weight with a price target of $72, up from $58, citing the company as a "best-in-class" operator with durable demand drivers and structural tailwinds [2] - DA Davidson upgraded Guidewire (GWRE) to Buy from Neutral with an unchanged price target of $246, viewing the recent 20% pullback as an opportunity for investors seeking high-quality application software leaders [3] - Jefferies upgraded Procter & Gamble (PG) to Buy from Hold with a price target of $179, up from $156, noting a stabilizing consumer backdrop and easier comparisons entering 2026 [4] - Wells Fargo upgraded Texas Roadhouse (TXRH) to Overweight from Equal Weight with a price target of $195, up from $170, believing in the sustainability of comparable sales momentum [5] - RBC Capital upgraded Airbnb (ABNB) to Outperform from Sector Perform with a price target of $170, up from $145, highlighting an attractive brand monetization story in the evolving consumer AI landscape [6] Downgrades - Jefferies downgraded Constellation Brands (STZ) to Hold from Buy with a price target of $154, down from $170, due to prolonged fears among Hispanic consumers affecting top-line results [7] - JPMorgan downgraded CyberArk (CYBR) to Neutral from Overweight with a price target of $474, up from $443, following the announcement of its takeover by Palo Alto Networks expected to close in the first half of 2026 [7] - JPMorgan downgraded Fortinet (FTNT) to Underweight from Neutral with a price target of $75, down from $85, as the company faces headwinds from ongoing platform consolidation trends [7] - Jefferies downgraded Keurig Dr Pepper (KDP) to Hold from Buy with a price target of $32, citing heavy debt, coffee price volatility, and a new financing structure [7] - Barclays downgraded MGM Resorts (MGM) to Equal Weight from Overweight with a price target of $38, down from $42, expressing mixed views on various gaming sectors and a negative outlook on Las Vegas [7]

Core Viewpoint - Dividend investing in Singapore offers a pathway to financial independence and a reliable income stream for retirement through strategic portfolio management and reinvestment of dividends [1]. Group 1: Building a Portfolio - The first step in creating a reliable retirement income is to build a portfolio of dependable dividend-paying companies, focusing on their balance sheets, free cash flows, and growth indicators [2]. - A payout ratio between 40%-70% is ideal, indicating a balance between dividend payments and retained earnings for reinvestment [2]. - Companies with a history of increasing dividends, such as Parkway Life REIT, CapitaLand Integrated Commercial Trust, and DBS Group Holdings, are recommended for a strong dividend-focused portfolio [3]. Group 2: Reinvesting Dividends - Reinvesting dividends instead of cashing them out accelerates compounding, leading to increased future dividends from newly acquired shares [5]. - Compounding can transform modest yearly returns into significant wealth over time, and strategies like Dollar-Cost Averaging can be employed for reinvestment [6]. Group 3: Diversification - Diversifying income streams across various sectors reduces reliance on any single industry, helping to stabilize income during economic fluctuations [7]. - A balanced portfolio should include financial institutions like DBS and Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation, REITs like Parkway Life REIT, and defensive consumer stocks such as Sheng Siong Group and SBS Transit [8]. Group 4: Transitioning to Income Mode - As retirement approaches, investors should shift from reinvesting dividends to withdrawing them for living expenses, while maintaining an emergency fund covering 12 to 24 months of expenses [9]. - A systematic withdrawal plan is essential to ensure continued compounding and a stable income stream during retirement [10]. Group 5: Financial Independence through Dividends - Dividend investing is a methodical approach to achieving financial independence, focusing on selecting reliable dividend payers, regular reinvestment, diversification, and strategic withdrawals [11].