Executive pay has gone galactic

The recent speech by the Bank of Japan (BoJ) governor has raised concerns among investors regarding a potential rise in Japanese interest rates, which could lead to the unwinding of the yen carry trade. This situation has sparked worries about its impact on global markets, particularly as Japanese 10-year bond yields have reached their highest levels since 2007.

The U.S. may be misaligning its artificial intelligence (AI) strategy by focusing on large, complex models, while China is successfully leveraging smaller, cost-effective models like DeepSeek, which could yield better results in the competitive AI landscape. This shift in approach highlights a potential divergence in technological priorities between the two nations.

U.S. stocks have experienced a rally driven by expectations of potential interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve, despite ongoing concerns about economic conditions. This rally has been characterized as irrational, reflecting investor sentiment rather than solid economic indicators.

Japanese 10-year bond yields have surged to their highest level since 2007, reflecting investor concerns over the government's fiscal spending plans and the potential for an interest rate increase. This rise in yields indicates a shift in market sentiment as investors reassess the stability of government policies.

The stock market showed resilience on December 3, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average rising by 400 points, while the S&P 500 continued its upward trend, reflecting investor optimism. American Eagle's stock surged by 11% following strong Q3 results and an upward revision of its guidance, indicating robust financial performance. Additionally, Anthropic is reportedly preparing for an IPO as early as 2026, which could further influence market dynamics.

Brendan Nelson has been appointed as the permanent chairman of HSBC after serving as interim chair for seven months following Mark Tucker's departure. This decision comes after a protracted search for a successor, which involved evaluating various external candidates but ultimately concluded with Nelson's appointment.

President Trump has reiterated his claims that the cost of living has decreased, despite widespread frustration among American voters regarding rising prices. He labeled the concerns over affordability as a 'hoax,' aiming to bolster his narrative ahead of upcoming political challenges.

In November, US private employers reduced their workforce by 32,000 jobs, indicating a significant contraction in the labor market, particularly among small businesses. This decline follows a trend of decreasing payrolls, as highlighted by recent data showing an average loss of 13,500 jobs per week in early November.