Money
Thinking about sailing away? You’ll need to roll up your sleeve first
Mandatory jabs are growing in commonality as more US companies ask their customers and employees to join the vaccination bandwagon.
Cruise ships and parcel delivery services are among some of the latest companies in the United States mandating COVID-19 vaccines.
Passengers boarding Walt Disney cruises require proof of vaccination following the company’s relaunch of their cruise service.
The Disney cruise line will commence its first sailing since trips were cancelled at the beginning of the pandemic.
In line with their updated policy, all passengers aged 12 and older are required to be fully vaccinated before boarding the cruise en route to the Bahamas on September 3.
Passengers who fail to show proof of vaccination will be barred from boarding the ship.
“The Bahamas will require that all passengers ages 12 and older be fully vaccinated in order for a ship to be allowed entry into any of its cruise ports,” Disney said in a statement.
“This includes private islands like Disney Castaway Cay.”
A change of heart?
Initially, the company did not insist on such mandatory measures.
However, advice from the US health regulator warned those who were at high-risk of contracting the virus to avoid cruising, in turn leading to a decline in potential customers.
Cruise line Royal Caribbean have also implemented similar measures for cruise ships departing Seattle and the Bahamas among other destinations.
The policy changes are in line with the Bahamian government’s new requirements to have all cruise ship passengers and crews vaccinated against coronavirus.
Even the mailman needs a vaccine
Postal and delivery company United Parcel Services also joins a long line up of US companies mandating vaccines for their employees.
Concerns surrounding the increase in case numbers from the Delta strain encouraged the company to implement the mandate.
“In certain US office locations where employees have been working remotely, UPSers must be vaccinated when they return to office,” the company said in an emailed statement.
“Those office environments are very different from our operating facilities, which have been safely staffed in-person since the beginning and throughout the pandemic.”
All three companies follow suit, joining several other US workplaces and services that mandate vaccines for their workers.
America reported an average of 320 COVID-19 infections per one-hundred thousand people in the last week.
Written by Rebecca Borg
Money
Global markets outperform US stocks by largest margin as AI tech rallies in 2025
Global markets outperform US stocks in 2025, marking widest gap since 2009 as international gains surge
Global markets outperform US stocks in 2025, marking the widest gap since 2009 as international gains surge
– Global markets outperformed U.S. stocks in 2025, with international equities showing significant gains.
– Helen Jewell highlighted that international performance was key, aided by the U.S. dollar’s decline.
In 2025, U.S. investors watching AI stocks closely may have missed the bigger picture: international markets delivered their strongest performance against U.S. equities in over three decades. While the S&P 500 rose just 15%, foreign markets outperformed by more than 10 percentage points, led by South Korea, Peru, and European nations.
Helen Jewell, BlackRock’s CIO, highlighted that the dollar’s 13% decline earlier in the year further amplified returns for Americans holding foreign assets. This marked the widest performance gap since 2009, and reminded investors of the value in diversification beyond domestic tech giants.
Continued Tech Rally
Nvidia, Tesla, and Palantir Technologies emerged as the most-viewed ticker pages on Yahoo Finance in 2025. Nvidia alone attracted 250 million page views, while Palantir soared an eye-popping 140% for the year. Despite this hype, the S&P 500 lagged behind global peers, showing that concentrated U.S. tech gains can mask broader market opportunities.
U.S. stocks saw a boost after Micron Technology exceeded earnings expectations, jumping 10% on strong AI-related demand. The Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund also gained 1.5%, driven by semiconductor optimism. However, analysts warn investors to avoid over-concentration in U.S. tech, even if AI-driven rallies persist into 2026.
As portfolios prepare for next year, the key question is whether semiconductor demand will expand beyond AI applications. Diversification remains essential, balancing excitement over tech gains with the risks of narrow market exposure.
Money
Australia’s sharemarket set for weakest annual return in three years
Australia’s sharemarket set for weakest return in three years; gains from gold and critical minerals offset blue-chip losses.
Australia’s sharemarket set for weakest return in three years; gains from gold and critical minerals offset blue-chip losses.
Australia’s sharemarket is on track for its weakest annual return in three years, with the S&P/ASX 200 Index expected to finish 2025 up around 6 per cent. Investors are feeling the impact of major losses from blue-chip companies, including Commonwealth Bank and CSL, which have dragged overall performance.
Despite the slow year, certain sectors provided a boost. Gains were largely driven by surging gold prices and rising interest in critical minerals, helping offset some of the losses from larger companies.
Smaller companies in the resources sector outperformed their larger counterparts, highlighting a shift in investor focus towards niche opportunities and high-demand commodities.
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Money
US stocks surge amid AI hype despite market volatility
US stock market bounced back, S&P 500 up 16% in 2023, driven by AI excitement amid policy uncertainties.
US stock market bounced back, S&P 500 up 16% in 2023, driven by AI excitement amid policy uncertainties.
The US stock market has experienced a rollercoaster year, with the S&P 500 nearly entering a bear market in April due to tariff concerns. Investor sentiment shifted following policy changes from President Trump, setting the stage for a dramatic rebound.
By June, the S&P 500 was hitting new records, fueled by excitement over artificial intelligence and its impact on the tech sector. Corporate profit forecasts improved, contributing to an overall annual gain of 16%, despite ongoing market fluctuations.
Yet, the S&P 500 still trails international markets, reflecting lingering policy uncertainties in the US.
Investors are watching closely to see how domestic and global factors will shape the next year.
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