#monetary-policy

#monetary-policy

Ray Dalio never misses an opportunity to cut to the chase. On Wednesday at Davos, speaking to Kamal Ahmed, Fortune's Executive Editorial Director for the UK and Europe, he had a blunt assessment of the landscape leaders and CEOs are facing at the moment. "What always scares me is the lack of realism," among leaders, he said as he reeled off the historic economic, climate, and political threats the world is grappling with. "Will law prevail? Everyone is having to deal with that question."

They pay testament to Powell's integrity, and unwavering commitment to the public interest, calling him a respected colleague who is held in the highest regard by all who have worked with him. Trump has repeatedly criticised Powell, whom he appointed in 2018, for failing to cut interest rates fast enough. But the clash between the two men took a dramatic turn earlier this week when Powell issued a strongly worded video statement, saying he was being prosecuted by the US Department of Justice.

"The executive branch is getting very creative using the pockets of money at their disposal with no congressional oversight," Ed Al-Hussainy, portfolio manager at Columbia Threadneedle, tells Axios.

After strong performance in 2025, the index is showing signs that future gains will depend less on liquidity and more on earnings quality and valuation resilience. "The market has shifted from being liquidity-driven to earnings-sensitive," said Saqib Iqbal, market analyst at Becoin.net. "With multiple rate cuts behind us and macro data softening, Nasdaq performance is now tied to profit growth and cash-flow resilience, rather than just cheap money."

It reflects what businesses tell us they are less confident about hiring staff due to sky-high employment costs and a tidal wave of new employment legislation coming down the track. While there has been some easing of cost pressures - with average earnings including bonuses slowing to 4.7 per cent in the three months to October - labour costs remain a challenge.