Stepping into a new year, investors have a lot to be thankful for. In 2024, the iconic Dow Jones Industrial Average, benchmark S&P 500, and technology-driven Nasdaq Composite all reached multiple record-closing highs.In no particular order, the two-year (and counting) bull market benefited from:Artificial intelligence (AI)Stronger-than-expected corporate earningsContinued U.S. economic growthThe election of Donald Trump for a nonconsecutive second termExcitement surrounding stock splitsBut on Wall Street, attention is often focused on where we're headed rather than where we've been.Although there's no forecasting tool or data point that can, with 100% accuracy, predict directional moves in stocks or the broader market over short periods, there are events, predictive indicators, metrics

Alibaba BABA is positioning itself for a potential turnaround in 2025, backed by China's expansionary monetary policy and the company's strategic initiatives. The recent second-quarter fiscal 2025 earnings revealed steady growth across core segments, with revenues reaching $33.7 billion, beating analyst expectations.Monthly active consumers on Taobao and Tmall reached new all-time highs, while the implementation of a 0.6% software service fee and increased adoption of AI-powered marketing tools signal improved monetization capabilities. The successful 11.11 Global Shopping Festival achieved record-high consumer engagement, with 88VIP membership growing to 46 million, demonstrating robust customer loyalty.

Reflecting on 2024As we approach 2025, it is an appropriate time to review the performance of Singapore’s equity market in 2024. The market performed strongly in 2024, with the Straits Times Index (STI) delivering double-digit gains of 21.7% as of end-November 2024 in Singapore dollar (SGD) total return terms. The rally was mostly concentrated in the second half of the year, and the Singapore market was one of the few in Asia to maintain positive momentum after Donald Trump’s US election victory. This positioned Singapore as the second-best performer in the Asia ex-Japan region in 2024, meaning that it trailed only Taiwan and outpaced major emerging markets like India and China.Drivers of strong sustainable returnsThe primary driver behind these robust gains was better-than-expected earnin

Palantir, Nvidia and Broadcom are the best-performing technology companies in the S&P 500 this year. Now the question is whether they can repeat the feat in 2025.There are plenty of forecasts across Wall Street for all three companies but one way of sizing up the range of outcomes is by looking at the outliers—the most bullish and most bearish targets—which can help gauge the opportunities and risks.Palantir TechnologiesCurrent stock price and movement in 2024 to-date: $79.54, 363% gainHighest price target — $75Lowest price target — $11After an absolutely stellar run this year, software company Palantir has outstripped even the most optimistic views on Wall Street, as it sells its artificial-intelligence platform to governments and increasingly to commercial customers.Among analysts po

Key PointsRocket Lab provides a comprehensive approach to the burgeoning space economy.In addition to growing its revenue and gross profit, Rocket Lab has grown its backlog.Growth investors should consider opening a position in Rocket Labs.Rocket Lab has been one of the strongest-performing stocks on the Nasdaq in 2024, soaring by more than 380% since the start of the year.That's impressive, but how have longer-term investors in Rocket Lab fared? For those who bought the stock back in December 2021 and held on through the ensuing turbulence, the return on their investment in this leading space stock has been a little less lofty.Trade on CBA. Enjoy enjoy up to 6 months Commission-Free!

Alibaba (BABA) stock jumped in U.S. trading early Monday after the Chinese government pledged further economic stimulus. U.S.-listed shares of Chinese technology companies PDD, JD, Trip and Baidu also are rallying.The CN government has pledged to support the stability and progressive growth of the nation's financial markets, including both the stock and property markets. It aims to safeguard and increase investments and the long-term income of investors.Additionally, the government plans to expand domestic demand and fuse scientific and technological innovation with industrial advancement. By stabilizing the property and stock markets, addressing critical risks, and mitigating external shocks, it seeks to maintain stable economic expectations and invigorate economic dynamism. These efforts

PDD Holdings' stock has suffered a dramatic 33.4% decline in 2024, sending a clear warning signal to investors about the company's prospects. The company's third-quarter 2024 results revealed troubling trends, with revenue growth moderating to 44% year over year, a significant deceleration from 86% growth seen in the second quarter. This slowdown, coupled with management's forthright admission about intensifying competition in the e-commerce sector, suggests further growth deceleration ahead. Management's clear message that profitability will "gradually trend lower" over the long run indicates sustained margin pressure, a concerning outlook for investors seeking stable returns.When the market is trending upwards, we could make the most of contra trading to boost profits. It's like shopping

Maintaining its classification as a "Top Pick" with an Overweight rating and a $166 price target, Morgan Stanley has found Nvidia (NVDA) to be a unique growth prospect. While downplaying temporary transitional problems, the financial company emphasized significant demand for Nvidia's future Blackwell GPU as the main driver of its hopeful attitude.Under the direction of Joseph Moore, the study noted present issues as transient and recommended that the market acceptance of Nvidia's Blackwell GPUs would determine its long-term viability. Driven by their revenue-generating potential, Moore anticipated that these GPUs will rule conversations by the second part of 2025.Trendforce's data points to this view: sales predicted to peak in the second and third quarters and Blackwell GPU manufacture ex

In the rapidly evolving landscape of electric vehicles, NIO Inc., a pioneer in smart electric vehicles based in China, stands out not just for its technology but also for its dynamic stock performance on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). As of late, NIO’s share price has become a focus of keen interest for both investors and technology enthusiasts.NIO’s Technological EdgeNIO is not just riding the electric wave; it is propelling it forward with groundbreaking innovations. This includes the integration of artificial intelligence in vehicles for autonomous driving, the introduction of battery swapping technology, and NIO’s ambition to create a robust ecosystem around their products. These developments are driving a narrative that NIO’s stock on NYSE is not merely a bet on an electric vehic

Here are the 6 biggest winners in China’s nationwide EV buying spreeBYD, Nio, Xpeng, Li Auto, Stellantis-backed Leapmotor and Geely’s Zeekr all delivered record numbers of EVs last monthHalf a dozen assemblers in China delivered record numbers of electric vehicles (EVs) to customers last month, as they rode on a nationwide buying spree before the end of a state subsidy that boosted the year’s total sales to 10 million units.The 20,000 yuan (US$2,740) subsidy for replacing oil guzzlers with EVs – equivalent to between 10 and 20 per cent of the price of half of the EVs on Chinese roads – ran from July to December, prompting customers to rush to seal deals ahead of the year end, said Zhao Zhen, a sales director at Shanghai-based dealer Wan Zhuo Auto.That way, they can “benefit from the subsid

Nvidia came neck and neck with Apple in the contest to become the largest U.S. company, but couldn’t quite get there on Monday.When you spot a great trading opportunity, but don't have the funds ready. You can use contra trading limit to buy the stock immediately without upfront cash. Don't miss out on opportunities. It allows you to trade now and settle later with the Tiger Trade Cash Boost Account. Enjoy up to 7 days interest-free with a $20K credit limit. Plus, trade commission-free for up to 6 months. Good for short-term trading. Check it out for more details on Tiger Trade.Nvidia's shares dropped more th

This AI-driven virtual representation mirrored every detail of the company’s operations, a perfect example of the transformative power of the technologies NVIDIA is pioneering. And of course, this digital twin concept bridges the gap between blockchain technology and the industrial metaverse, offering a glimpse into how decentralized data and digital identities could redefine operational efficiency.Gary Shapiro, the founder of CTA, shared a light-hearted but impactful story, saying, “If I had invested in NVIDIA when Jensen first came to CES, I’d be retired by now.” It was a reminder of just how far NVIDIA has come, evolving from a graphics chip company to a driving force behind AI, robotics, and autonomous systems.When you spot a great trading opportunity, but don't have the funds ready. <

In the latest trading session, Alibaba (BABA) closed at $83.69, marking a -0.94% move from the previous day. This change lagged the S&P 500's 0.16% gain on the day. Elsewhere, the Dow gained 0.25%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq lost 0.06%.The the stock of online retailer has fallen by 5.96% in the past month, lagging the Retail-Wholesale sector's loss of 4.84% and the S&P 500's loss of 2.8%.When you spot a great trading opportunity, but don't have the funds ready. You can use contra trading limit to buy the stock immediately without upfront cash. Don't miss out on opportunities. It allows you to trade now and settle later with the Tiger Trade Cash Boost Account. Enjoy up to 7 days i

THE last few months of 2024 have proven that volatility will remain heightened as we step into 2025. While we expect global growth to plod along in the first half of next year, the second half could be largely influenced by developments in the US and China.The uncertainty surrounding the policies from the incoming Trump administration and the sequence of their implementation add significant layers of unpredictability to the outlook. All eyes will also be on further stimulus measures from China – targeted and effective measures that lift consumer confidence and spending would be viewed positively.  Notwithstanding these factors, the “consensus” focus on the potential negative impact of tariffs between the US and other economies may run the risk of distorting the underlying picture

In a year dominated by staggering gains from AI stocks, SoundHound AI emerged as a prominent player in 2024. With its stock soaring by an incredible 936%, SoundHound has benefited from substantial backing by industry titan Nvidia and favorable analyst coverage. The company is seizing opportunities in the burgeoning voice AI market, yet its high valuation might deter potential investors, as it trades at a remarkable 109 times sales. In contrast, Nvidia, a leader in AI technology, boasts a more modest price-to-sales ratio of 31. Given this backdrop, investors might want to explore other AI investment opportunities.Enter Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), an alternative poised for potential breakthroughs in 2025. Admittedly, AMD’s stock performance lagged in the previous year, with a 16% decline a

Key PointsIt was another banner year for Wall Street in 2024, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average, S&P 500, and Nasdaq Composite all reaching fresh record-closing highs.Regardless of which direction the stock market heads in 2025, standout stocks can still be found.Seven phenomenal businesses possess the necessary catalysts and competitive advantages needed to deliver returns of 100% (or greater) in the new year.Trade on CBA without upfront cash and enjoy up to 7 days interest-free with a $20K credit limit. Plus, trade commission-free for up to 6 months. Good for short-term trading. Explore more on the Tige