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What moved the ASX 200 in 2025?

In 2025, the ASX 200 closed around 8,621 points and was up approximately 6% year to date (YTD) as of 19 December close. Market direction was most sensitive to Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) expectations, commodity prices and China-linked demand, and (to a lesser extent) moves in the Australian dollar (AUD). The index recovered from November’s pullback, but remained below October’s record close.

Key 2025 drivers included:

• RBA policy expectations: Sentiment was shaped by shifting views on the timing and extent of rate moves. The November pullback reflected repricing towards a longer pause and higher uncertainty around whether the next move could be a hike rather than a cut, particularly as jobs and inflation data surprised.
• Resources and China sensitivity: With a meaningful resources weight, the index responded to iron ore stability, strong gold prices and relative firmness in base metals. China data and any perceived policy support (including signals from the People’s Bank of China (PBOC)) remained important for the export backdrop. A relatively stable AUD also reduced currency-related noise for exporters.
• Index composition and market structure: The ASX 200’s heavier tilt to materials and banks, and lower exposure to high-growth technology, meant it often lagged tech-led global rallies, but tended to hold up better when AI and growth valuations were questioned.
• Corporate earnings: Reporting season outcomes influenced valuation support. In September’s half-year reporting season, around 33% of ASX 200 companies beat expectations, which helped underpin pricing around current levels.

Current state

The ASX 200 was roughly 5% below its late-October record high close of 9,094 points. After the November retracement, support around 8,400 appeared to hold and buying interest improved. The 50-day EMA near 8,730 (a prior consolidation area) was a commonly watched near-term reference, noting technical indicators can be unreliable.

What to watch in January

• China and commodity demand: Growth, trade and any fresh stimulus inference from the PBOC may affect sentiment.
• Domestic inflation and labour data: CPI and jobs prints are key inputs into RBA expectations.
• Key levels and follow-through: The post-November rebound may need continued demand to sustain momentum.

What moved the Nikkei 225 in 2025?

In 2025, the Nikkei 225 traded around 39,200 points and was up approximately 21% year to date (YTD). Market direction was most sensitive to moves in the Japanese yen (JPY) and Bank of Japan (BOJ) communication, with the index consolidating after multi-decade highs. While broader signals remained constructive, consolidation can resolve either higher or lower.

Key influences included:

• JPY movements and earnings translation: A weaker JPY can boost the reported value of overseas earnings for some exporters, although it may also increase input and import costs. The net impact often depends on company hedging practices and varies by sector, with effects most evident in export-heavy industries such as automotive, industrials and parts of technology manufacturing.
• Gradual BOJ policy transition: The BOJ continued to step away from ultra-easy settings, but tightening was generally cautious. Markets largely priced a slow, conditional normalisation, which helped limit downside, even as policy headlines created bouts of volatility.
• Corporate governance reforms: Ongoing improvements in capital efficiency and shareholder returns supported interest from overseas investors. Share buybacks, stronger balance-sheet discipline and improved return on equity (ROE) contributed to re-rating in parts of the market.
• Global cyclical exposure: The Nikkei moved with shifts in global manufacturing sentiment and expectations for US growth, particularly during risk-on phases associated with AI-related capital spending.

Current state

After pushing to multi-decade highs earlier in the year, the Nikkei spent time consolidating but has remained structurally strong. Price sits above key long-term moving averages, and some technicians watch the 50-day exponential moving average (EMA) as a potential reference level (noting these indicators can be unreliable). Currency swings and shifting BOJ expectations were commonly cited as contributors to much of the second-half volatility, although pullbacks were generally met with buying interest.

What to watch in January for Japan

• JPY volatility: Sharper yen moves, especially if driven by BOJ or Federal Reserve expectations, could quickly change exporter earnings assumptions.
• BOJ communication: Small changes in language on inflation persistence or bond market operations may move sentiment.
• Global growth data: US and China manufacturing and trade prints remain key inputs for an externally focused economy.

2025 has seen a material decline in the fortunes of the greenback. A technical structure breakdown early in the year was followed by a breach of the 200-day moving average (MA) at the end of Q1. The index then entered correction territory, printing a three-year low at the end of Q2.

Since then, we have seen attempts to build a technical base, including a re-test of the end-of-June lows in mid-September. However, buying pressure has not been strong enough to push price back above the technically critical and psychologically important 100 level.

What the levels suggest from here

As things stand, the index remains more than 10% lower for 2025. On this technical view, the index may revisit the 96 area. However, technical levels can fail and outcomes depend on multiple factors.

US dollar index

The key question for 2026

The key question remains: are we likely to see further losses in the early part of next year and beyond, or will current support hold?

We cannot assess the US dollar in isolation and any outlook is shaped by internal and global factors, not least its relative strength versus other major currencies. Many of these drivers are interrelated, but four potential headwinds stand out for any US dollar recovery. Collectively, they may keep downside pressure in play.

Four headwinds for any US dollar recovery

1. The US dollar as a safe-haven trade

One scenario where US dollar support has historically been evident is during major global events, slowdowns and market shocks. However, the more muted response of the US dollar during risk-off episodes this year suggests a shift away from the historical norm, with fewer sustained US dollar rallies.

Instead, throughout 2025, some investors appeared to favour gold, and at other times, FX and even equities, rather than into the US dollar. If this change in behaviour persists through 2026, it could make recovery harder, even if global economic pressure builds over the year ahead.

2. US versus global trade

Trade policy is harder to measure objectively, and outcomes can be difficult to predict. That said, trade battles driven by tariffs on US imports are often viewed as an additional potential drag on the US dollar.

The impact may be twofold if additional strain is placed on the US economy through:

• a slowdown in global trade volumes as impacted countries seek alternative trade relationships, with supply chain distortions that may not favour US growth
  
• pressure on US corporate profit margins as tariffs lift costs for importers
  

3. Removal of quantitative tightening

The Fed formally halted its balance sheet reduction, quantitative tightening (QT), as of 1 December 2025, ending a program that shrank assets by roughly US$2.4 trillion since mid-2022.

Traditionally, ending QT is seen as marginally negative for the US dollar because it stops the withdrawal of liquidity, can ease global funding conditions, and may reduce the scarcity that can support dollar demand. Put simply, more dollars in the system can soften the currency’s support at the margin, although outcomes have varied historically and often depend on broader financial conditions.

4. Interest rate differential

Interest rate differential (IRD) is likely to be a primary driver of US dollar strength, or otherwise, in the months ahead. The latest FOMC meeting delivered the expected 0.25% cut, with attention on guidance for what may come next.

Even after a softer-than-expected CPI print, markets have been reluctant to price aggressive near-term easing. At the time of writing, less than a 20% chance of a January cut is priced in, and it may be March before we see the next move.

The Fed is balancing sticky inflation against a jobs market under pressure, with the headline rate back at levels last seen in 2012. The practical takeaway is that a more accommodative stance may add to downward pressure on the US dollar.

Current expectations imply around two rate cuts through 2026, with the potential for further easing beyond that, broadly consistent with the median projections shown in the chart below. These are forecasts rather than guarantees, and they can shift as economic data and policy guidance evolve.

Donald Trump has officially declared the Maduro regime in Venezuela a foreign terrorist organisation and ordered a "total and complete blockade" of the country's sanctioned oil tankers.

The U.S. has positioned 11 warships in the Caribbean to enforce the blockade, which could remove 400,000 to 500,000 barrels daily from global supply.

The move sent crude prices jumping over 2% and sparked renewed concerns about supply stability heading into 2026.

White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles succinctly summarised the situation as: “Trump wants to keep on blowing boats up until Maduro cries uncle."

Brent crude jumped 2.4% to $60.33 per barrel, while WTI climbed 2.6% to $56.69.

If crude maintains its $60 per barrel price, analysts project the blockade, combined with potential Russian sanctions, could push prices toward $70 as Venezuela's already-devastated economy faces collapse.

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Bank of Japan to Hike Rates to Highest Level in Decades

The Bank of Japan is set to raise interest rates to their highest level in three decades this Friday, with Governor Kazuo Ueda expected to lift the benchmark rate from 0.5% to 0.75%.

While modest by global standards, this marks a landmark step in Japan's departure from decades of near-zero rates and unconventional easing.

The decision comes amid significant market turbulence. Japanese government bond yields have surged, with 30-year bonds hitting record highs and 10-year yields reaching 19-year peaks.

The volatility stems partly from concerns under new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who recently approved a $118 billion stimulus package with over 60% financed through borrowing.

While Friday's hike appears certain, policymakers have signalled caution as they push rates toward levels estimated between 1% and 2.5%.

Ueda's post-meeting press conference will be closely watched for signals about future increases.

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Micron Forecasts Blowout Earnings on Booming AI Market

Micron Technology is projecting second-quarter earnings of $8.42 per share, nearly double Wall Street's $4.78 estimate.

Micron shares surged 7% in after-hours trading as markets reacted to the news that the AI-driven memory chip race is showing no signs of slowing.

As one of only three major suppliers of high-bandwidth memory (HBM) chips alongside SK Hynix and Samsung, Micron sits at a chokepoint in AI infrastructure.

The HBM specialised chips are essential for training and deploying generative AI models, and current demand is dramatically outpacing supply.

CEO Sanjay Mehrotra revealed that supply tightness will extend beyond 2026, with Micron expecting to fulfil only 50-70% of key customer demand in the medium term.

Micron projects revenue of $18.70 billion this quarter versus analyst estimates of $14.20 billion. The company has retooled their operations toward AI applications, even dissolving its consumer "Crucial" brand to concentrate on AI data centre demand.

HBM chips are now the bottleneck in AI system performance, and suppliers who can deliver at scale have the potential to capture large amounts of value over the coming years.