Hiroshi Watanabe/DigitalVision via Getty Images Key Takeaways Markets: Global equity markets collectively posted moderate gains in the fourth quarter of 2025, marking a period of consolidation after the stronger advance seen in the third quarter. Detractors: Stock selection in the industrials, materials and energy sectors detracted from relative performance for the quarter. Contributors: Stock sel...
Hiroshi Watanabe/DigitalVision via Getty Images Key Takeaways Markets: Global equity markets collectively posted moderate gains in the fourth quarter of 2025, marking a period of consolidation after the stronger advance seen in the third quarter. Detractors: Stock selection in the industrials, materials and energy sectors detracted from relative performance for the quarter. Contributors: Stock selection in the consumer staples and utilities sectors and an underweight in the communication services sector contributed to relative performance. Outlook: We remain broadly constructive on the longer-term outlook for equity markets, but the strength of 2025's rally suggests that some caution is appropriate in the coming months. Performance Review Global equity markets collectively posted moderate gains in the fourth quarter of 2025, marking a period of consolidation after the stronger advance seen in the third quarter. The fourth quarter unfolded against a backdrop of easing—but uneven—monetary policy expectations, greater stock-return dispersion across regions and sectors, and a rotation away from the most crowded growth investment themes. October experienced an extension of the post-summer stock rally as interest-rate cuts and generally resilient earnings supported risk appetite; November brought a pause as investors reassessed equity valuations and monetary policy timing; and December witnessed a stabilization of sentiment as central banks delivered broadly dovish outcomes while flagging increased data dependence into 2026. Stock selection in the industrials, materials and energy sectors detracted from relative performance for the quarter. France-based BNP Paribas ( BNPQF )( BNPQY ) (not held at period-end), one of Europe's most diversified banks, was a top relative detractor for the quarter. Its shares dropped after a US jury found the bank violated American sanctions, raising questions about whether the lender will be exposed to further legal claims. Stock selection in...