Latest Industry Trends News
US Economy Expands Strongly at 4.3% in Q3 2025
The US economy grew at an annualized rate of 4.3% in Q3 2025, up from 3.8% in Q2, driven by robust consumer demand and industrial activity. Industrial production rose 2.5% year-on-year in November, with manufacturing output up 1.9%. This resilience persists despite sticky inflation concerns.
Japan Faces Cyclical Slowdown with Contracting Industrial Production
Japan's retail sales growth slowed to 1.0%, while industrial production contracted 2.1% year-on-year in November, reversing prior expansion. Housing starts declined sharply by 8.5%, signaling stress in domestic demand. This positions Japan as the weakest major developed economy.
AI Integration Accelerates in Global Investment Research
Investment research firms in 2025 widely adopted AI for data processing, predictive analytics, sentiment analysis, and risk modeling, reducing bias and boosting accuracy. Ethical concerns prompted discussions at ESMA's November conference on AI risks in EU funds.
AI has become a core component from niche tool status.
Sustainability and ESG Focus Intensifies Amid Regulatory Shifts
Sell-side research emphasized sustainability, energy transition, and net-zero goals, adapting to anti-greenwashing rules like ESMA's fund naming guidelines. US saw reduced ESG push with SEC withdrawals, leading to 'greenhushing,' while EMEA/Asia-Pacific maintained institutional commitment.
Analysts prioritized material issues per JPMorgan, MSCI reports.
Global Trade Projected to Grow 7% in 2025 Led by East Asia and Africa
UNCTAD forecasts global trade growth of around 7% in 2025, driven by East Asia, Africa, and South-South trade dynamics. This occurs amid overall economic turbulence.
South-South trade plays a key role in the expansion.
US Dollar Weakens 10% in 2025 Amid Policy Shifts
The USD fell sharply in H1 2025 by 11.5%, ending the year down ~10% against major currencies, influenced by fiscal fears and Fed's dovish turn. EUR appreciated +12.07% YTD due to ECB stance and portfolio rebalancing.
Fed ended QT in December and started Treasury buybacks.
Global Economic Data Outperforms Expectations
Citi Economic Surprise Index hit a 20-month high of 26.80 as of December 11, 2025, showing data beating forecasts worldwide. This supports improved global growth outlook into 2026.
Readings above zero confirm consistent outperformance.
India's Core Infrastructure Sectors Expand 1.8% in November
India saw stabilization with eight core infrastructure sectors growing 1.8% year-on-year in November, reversing October's contraction. Government pushes metro corridors, mining reforms, and RBI liquidity infusion of ₹2.90 lakh crore.
SEBI reforms enhance market efficiency.
Market Trends Stall for US Growth Stocks and Bitcoin
November saw stalling in outperformance of US growth stocks, momentum stocks, and Bitcoin, with no panic event explaining the shift. Bitcoin ETF flows turned negative, and growth stocks carry high valuations.
Questions arise if this marks a trend reversal.
Tariff Worries Fade, Boosting Global Equity Markets
Trump delayed tariffs to August then struck deals, melting away trade worries and driving global equities higher through 2025. This trend defined markets alongside others set to continue.
Equity markets rebounded by month-end despite mid-month dips.
Private Markets and Regulatory Changes Shape Research Industry
2025 saw growth in private company research coverage and navigation of regulatory shifts in investment research. Geopolitical tensions and economic changes prompted adaptations.
Industry focuses on ethical, resilient research for complex landscapes.