Global Markets End 2025 on Strong Note as Stocks Rally, Precious Metals Hit Records

Kenya, 24 December 2025 - As financial markets wind down the year, global equities and commodities closed 2025 with robust performances, driven by a combination of strong economic data, investor optimism and safe haven demand for precious metals.

Major stock indices around the world rallied in the final trading sessions of 2025. Asian markets saw modest gains, with the MSCI Asia Pacific index excluding Japan rising about 0.3% on Wednesday, capping an annual advance of roughly 26%, its best showing since 2017.

Japan’s Nikkei matched this strong performance with a 26% yearly gain, while South Korea outperformed with a 72% surge, a standout in the region.

On Wall Street, the S&P 500 closed at a record high, reflecting upbeat economic growth in the United States in the third quarter and encouraging investor sentiment going into 2026.

Despite this equity strength, U.S. Treasury bond prices weakened, underscoring the tension between risk assets and fixed income.

Currency markets saw the Japanese yen strengthen amid concerns over potential intervention by authorities, while the U.S. dollar weakened, retreating about 10 per cent on the year against major currencies.

The euro held steady around $1.18. Meanwhile, U.S. Treasury yields declined, with both short and long term yields finishing lower for the year as markets priced in expectations of interest rate cuts in 2026.