Money
The world’s best airline has been named for 2023
A lie-flat seating concept in economy is making waves for the world’s best airline
One of the world’s premiere safety and product rating websites, AirlineRatings.com has announced its 2023 Airline of the Year.
Air New Zealand won the award for its exceptional achievements in in-flight innovations, which include the upcoming Skynest beds in the Economy cabin, its environmental leadership, and the dedication of its staff.
Air New Zealand Chief Executive Officer Greg Foran said the recognition acknowledges his remarkable team.
“We owe our success to the dedication and hard work of our 12,000 Air New Zealanders who wake each morning to connect Kiwis with each other and the world.
“This award belongs to them for their grit, commitment, and the exceptional service they deliver every day.”
Air New Zealand nudged out previous winner Qatar Airways (2021, 2022) Etihad Airways, Korean Air and Singapore Airlines for the top spot.
The AirlineRatings.com Airline Excellence Awards are judged by five editors, who boast decades of industry experience.
Airlines are judged across 11 key criteria including fleet age, passenger reviews, profitability, investment, product offerings, and staff relations.
“It is a sign that we have got our swing back and that our relentless focus on doing the basics brilliantly and delivering our Kia Mau strategy with precision and ambition is working,” Mr Foran said.
However, he explained there are ares for improvement as the global travel sector recovers from the height of the pandemic.
“As with many airlines worldwide, we understand that our fantastic team faces difficulties in providing the service we strive for and that our customers expect. We’re working hard to address these challenges.”
Air New Zealand won Best Economy Class, while Qatar Airways picked up Best Business Class for the fourth-year running and Best Catering.
Singapore Airlines received the Best First Class award, while Virgin Australia/Virgin Atlantic won Best Cabin Crew.
Best-In-Flight Entertainment and Best Premium Economy went to Emirates, while Qantas was recognised for Best Lounges.
Geoffrey Thomas is the Editor-in-Chief at AirlineRatings.com, who said there was tough competition.
“In our objective analysis Air New Zealand came out number one in many key areas although it was a very close scoring for the top five.”
The awards also recognised the world’s Best Low-Cost Airlines.
Southwest Airlines won in the Americas category; while Fly Dubai (Middle East); AirAsia (Asia); Jetstar (Australia/Pacific) and Ryanair (Europe) all won in their respective regions.
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 other 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 of 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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