
Date Issued – 10th December 2025
Courtesy of the Research Department at Balfour Capital Group
Key Points
- Amazon’s India Bet: Amazon committed over $35 billion to expand India’s AI and cloud infrastructure through 2030, aiming to generate 1 million jobs, quadruple exports and accelerate AI adoption among millions of small businesses as global tech giants compete for leadership in the market.
- Nvidia’s China Catalyst: Analysts see strong long-term upside after President Trump approved Nvidia’s H200 chip sales to China, with revenue potential estimated at up to $3.5 billion per quarter despite remaining policy uncertainties and China’s parallel push for domestic semiconductor capacity.
- Fed’s Hawkish Cut Risk: Markets brace for a widely expected Fed rate cut that could come with hawkish guidance, as updated projections and Powell’s remarks may temper equity enthusiasm despite strong small-cap performance and mixed trading across major U.S. indices.
- Vietnam’s Market Surge: Vietnam’s stock market is among 2025’s top performers, driven by reforms, rising domestic participation and growing foreign investment, with its 2026 upgrade to emerging-market status expected to attract billions in new inflows and support continued long-term growth.
Amazon Commits $35 Billion to Accelerate India’s AI and Cloud Expansion
Amazon announced plans to invest more than $35 billion in India’s cloud and artificial intelligence infrastructure by 2030, deepening its long-term bet on one of the world’s fastest-growing digital markets. The commitment—unveiled at the Amazon Smbhav Summit—builds on nearly $40 billion already deployed and targets AI-led digitization, export growth and broad job creation. Amazon expects the initiative to generate 1 million jobs, quadruple exports to $80 billion and expand AI adoption among 15 million small businesses. The move follows Microsoft’s recent $17.5 billion investment pledge, underscoring intensifying competition among global tech giants to secure AI leadership in India.
Nvidia Gains U.S. Approval to Sell H200 Chips to China, Unlocking Major Revenue Potential
Nvidia’s share reaction was muted despite President Trump authorizing sales of its H200 AI chips to “approved customers” in China, as uncertainties remain over Chinese acceptance, congressional pushback and export-license details. Still, analysts broadly view the decision as a significant catalyst, citing the scale of China’s datacenter market and pent-up AI demand. JPMorgan expects the approval could restart China’s AI datacenter buildout, while Wolfe Research estimates Nvidia could generate roughly $3.5 billion in quarterly China revenues. With CEO Jensen Huang pointing to a $50 billion annual opportunity and several firms forecasting 40% upside, analysts see meaningful long-term potential despite near-term policy risks.
Fed Outlook Clouds Markets as Investors Brace for a Potential ‘Hawkish Cut’
U.S. equities were mixed ahead of an anticipated Federal Reserve rate cut, with traders assigning near-certainty to a 25-basis-point move but focusing instead on the tone of policymakers’ guidance. Markets expect the Fed to lower rates to 3.5%–3.75%, yet officials may signal a slower easing path through the updated dot plot and Chair Powell’s remarks—raising the risk of a “hawkish cut” that tempers year-end optimism. The Russell 2000 hit an intraday high even as the S&P 500 and Dow slipped, while global attention turned to Vietnam’s strong market rally and renewed scrutiny of China’s soybean purchases. Analysts also highlighted the potential lift to Nvidia from expanded China chip approvals, though uncertainty over Beijing’s demand persists.
Vietnam’s Market Rally Accelerates as Reforms, Capital Inflows and Demographics Drive Momentum
Vietnam’s stock market has surged in 2025, with the VanEck Vietnam ETF up roughly 62% and the VN Index climbing 38% year to date, outpacing both China and broader emerging markets. The rally reflects strengthened domestic participation, structural reforms and rising trade activity, while Vietnam’s upcoming upgrade to secondary emerging-market status in 2026 is expected to attract as much as $6 billion in new inflows. Although gains remain concentrated in a few real estate names, analysts see room for broader earnings growth next year. Robust foreign investment, a young workforce, and ongoing policy improvements continue to reinforce Vietnam’s long-term economic trajectory despite external trade and currency risks.
Conclusion
Global markets continue to navigate a landscape shaped by rapid technological investment, shifting policy signals and evolving regional growth stories. Amazon’s significant AI commitment in India underscores the escalating competition among global cloud leaders, while Nvidia’s conditional re-entry into China highlights both the opportunity and complexity of the semiconductor cycle. Investors are also closely watching the Federal Reserve, where a potential “hawkish cut” could recalibrate risk sentiment heading into year-end. Meanwhile, Vietnam’s accelerating market momentum reflects the power of structural reform and demographic strength. Together, these developments reinforce a market environment where policy, innovation and regional differentiation remain central to portfolio strategy.
Investment Insights
- India AI Expansion: Amazon’s $35 billion commitment reinforces India’s emergence as a global AI and cloud hub; investors should monitor opportunities in data centers, digital infrastructure and firms positioned to benefit from accelerating SME digitization.
- Semiconductor Policy Watch: Nvidia’s conditional return to China offers substantial revenue optionality but comes with policy volatility; chip exposure should balance near-term upside from reopened demand with risk controls around U.S.–China regulatory shifts.
- Monetary Sensitivity: A potential “hawkish cut” from the Fed highlights the need for disciplined rate-path expectations; portfolios may benefit from calibrated exposure to rate-sensitive sectors while avoiding overreliance on a rapid easing cycle.
- Vietnam Growth Momentum: Vietnam’s strong market performance and forthcoming upgrade to emerging-market status strengthen the case for selective EM allocation; investors should favor sectors aligned with reforms, demographics and rising foreign direct investment rather than narrow real estate–led gains.
Economic Calendar
| Date | Event | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| December 10, 2025 | China CPI & Inflation Data | Key gauge of Chinese domestic demand and disinflation risks, shaping expectations for PBOC policy and global commodity and emerging-market sentiment. |
| December 10, 2025 | U.S. ADP Employment Change | Provides an early read on U.S. labor-market conditions ahead of official data, influencing views on growth resilience and the Fed’s policy path. |
| December 10, 2025 | U.S. JOLTS Job Openings | Tracks labor demand and tightness in the jobs market, feeding into wage and inflation expectations that are central to Fed decision-making. |
| December 11, 2025 | U.S. FOMC Interest Rate Decision & Press Conference | The December Fed meeting sets the benchmark rate and updated projections, driving global moves in yields, the U.S. dollar and risk assets. |
| December 11, 2025 | Australia Employment Report | Monthly jobs data will guide views on domestic demand and influence RBA policy expectations and AUD positioning. |
| December 12, 2025 | U.S. Producer Price Index (PPI) | Measures pipeline inflation pressures at the wholesale level, helping confirm or challenge the disinflation trend priced into bonds and equities. |
| December 12, 2025 | U.S. Initial Jobless Claims | High-frequency indicator of labor-market softening or resilience, with surprises often moving Treasury yields, the dollar and rate-sensitive sectors. |
| December 12, 2025 | U.K. Monthly GDP | Offers a timely snapshot of U.K. growth momentum, shaping Bank of England expectations and driving moves in gilts and sterling. |
| December 12, 2025 | New Zealand Business NZ PMI | Key gauge of manufacturing activity that informs views on New Zealand’s growth outlook and potential RBNZ policy moves. |
Disclaimer: This newsletter provides financial insights for informational purposes only. It does not constitute financial advice or recommendations for investment decisions.

