Global Markets Rise Amid Economic Optimism

White House National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett was interviewed on 'Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan' on December 21, 2025. Hassett discussed the recent jobs report, inflation data, immigration policy changes, and potential economic stimulus checks. He expressed confidence in the current economic data, citing a three-month moving average of core consumer prices at an annual rate of 1.6%, below the Fed's target. Hassett also defended the administration's immigration policies, stating that native-born workers have filled jobs left by foreign-born workers. The conversation also touched on tariffs and the possibility of $2,000 checks for households making less than $100,000, pending Congressional approval.

Asia-Pacific markets mostly rose on Tuesday following a boost from AI trade on Wall Street overnight. Nvidia shares increased by over 1% after Reuters reported that the company plans to start shipping its H200 chips to China by mid-February. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 gained 1.1%, Japan's Nikkei 225 ended slightly above flatline, and South Korea's Kospi rose 0.28%. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index was down 0.1%, while mainland China's CSI 300 extended its winning streak. The yen weakened despite Japan's interest rate hike, with Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama stating that the country had a 'free hand' in dealing with the yen's depreciation.

The stock market saw a strong start to the shortened trading week, with the S&P 500 coming off its third winning session. The Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced about 228 points, or 0.5%, while the Nasdaq Composite climbed 0.5%. Chipmaking giant Nvidia jumped 1.5%, and materials and financials were the top-performing sectors. Experts, such as Chris Harvey of CIBC Capital Markets, believe the market remains healthy, with valuations not being too high and a rotation into cyclical areas. Meanwhile, UBS advises investors to prepare for 2026 by maintaining liquidity and avoiding large cash allocations. Novo Nordisk shares rose after the FDA approved its GLP-1 pill for obesity treatment.