Big year for the robots – Fueled by surging demand for AI, the world’s largest semiconductor companies shattered records with over $400 billion in combined sales in 2025, and industry analysts expect 2026 to be even bigger, with projected sales from top chip makers like Nvidia, Intel, Broadcom, AMD, and Qualcomm topping $538 billion. (Source: The Wall Street Journal)

In the green, but not in front – In 2025, US stocks lagged global markets at the widest margin since the financial crisis: the S&P 500 Index rose 17.41%, while the MSCI World ex USA Index jumped 29.29% and the MSCI Emerging Market Index returned 30.33%. High US valuations, trade uncertainty, and fears of an AI bubble have driven investors to seek growth abroad, especially in Asia, where MSCI China Index and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index both surged 28.14% and 27.64%, respectively. (Sources: Axios and Morningstar as of 12/29/25)

Winds in the east, mist coming in? – Consumer confidence fell for the fifth month in a row in December, as Americans grew more pessimistic about business and job prospects. Notably, for the first time since September 2024, consumers’ views on current business conditions turned negative, signaling rising anxiety about the economy heading into 2026, even with recent strong GDP growth. (Source: The Wall Street Journal)

What lurks below – Official growth forecasts near 5% and record exports of $3.4 trillion in 2025 haven’t prevented China’s economy from facing persistent challenges beneath the surface. Weak property prices, sluggish consumer spending, and excess supply in key industries like autos and steel are weighing on business confidence, with many economists warning that actual growth may be well below official figures. (Source: AP News)

Regular oil changes are sounding very good right about now – The average price of a new car in the US soared to a record $50,000 in 2025—a 33% jump since the pandemic, alongside rising loan interest rates. As a result, the average monthly payment for a new car has climbed to $760, and longer auto loans are becoming the norm: In the third quarter of 2025, one-third of buyers opted for 72-month loans, compared to the previous standard of 48-60 months. (Source: The Wall Street Journal)

But my Billy is a star! – As youth sports become more professionalized, research shows a troubling trend: The percentage of school-age children playing sports fell from 58.4% in 2017 to 53.8% in 2022, and up to 70% of young athletes drop out by age 13. Despite these numbers, 11.4% of parents believe their children can go on to play professionally. (Source: The New York Times)

Are you not entertained? – Major entertainment events roared back in 2025, breaking records for viewership and ticket demand. Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade drew nearly 28 million viewers—the highest since 2019. The three NFL Thanksgiving games averaged 25 million, a multi-year peak, and the World Series final delivered its best ratings since 2016. Meanwhile, StubHub reported ticket sales for influencer, podcaster, and author events surged nearly 500% compared to 2024. (Source: Axios)

Beyhive came through – Beyoncé has officially become the fifth musician to reach billionaire status. Her Renaissance World Tour in 2023 grossed nearly $600 million, and in 2024 she released Cowboy Carter, which fueled the highest-grossing concert tour of 2025. The megastar joins an elite group that includes Jay-Z, Taylor Swift, Bruce Springsteen, and Rihanna in the billionaire club. (Source: Variety)

The old Taylor can’t come to the phone right now – About 31% of Americans plan to make a New Year’s resolution for 2026, with exercising more (25%) topping the list, followed by being happier (23%), eating healthier (22%), and saving more money (21%). Of those setting resolutions this year, 39% say it is very likely they will keep their resolution throughout 2026. (Source: YouGov)

Guess I’m in the nosebleeds again – Ticket prices for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have sparked controversy, with seats ranging from $140 for early round games to as much as $2,735 for the US opening match and up to $8,680 for the most expensive seats at the final. FIFA received over 150 million ticket requests during the latest sales window, even amid the outcry. (Source: NPR)