Eric Criscuolo, NYSE Market Strategist, recaps a week shaped by year-end dynamics and shifting trends. The Fed’s rate cut and $40B T-Bill program eased liquidity concerns but didn’t spark broad gains. Consumer Discretionary led while Energy slid, and small caps lagged after last week’s surge. With holiday seasonality, triple witching, and key data ahead, markets enter the final stretch of 2025.

Minerals Technologies is advancing the specialty minerals industry through global scale and innovation. CEO Doug Dietrich goes Inside the ICE House to discuss how MTI’s unique assets, people-driven culture, and technology leadership support everyday products and sustainable solutions worldwide.

Delta Air Lines is marking 100 years of flight while charting a bold course for the future of travel. CEO Ed Bastian goes Inside the ICE House to share how the airline is expanding its global reach and redefining the passenger experience. He discusses innovations that personalize every step of the journey, strategies to enhance connectivity, and Delta’s vision for the next century of aviation.

Michael Reinking, Senior Market Strategist at the NYSE, recaps a week defined by AI volatility and a Fed surprise. The AI trade continued to evolve as investors shifted focus from spending to returns, pressuring some tech names. The Fed cut rates and announced balance sheet expansion, easing liquidity concerns and fueling a sharp rotation. Small and mid-caps hit new highs while mega-cap tech lagged, leaving the S&P 500 little changed. Attention now turns to upcoming economic data and the January Fed meeting.

Austin Hankwitz and Robert Croak, hosts of the Rich Habits Podcast, join Bilal Little to discuss their rise as influential voices in personal finance. They reflect on how short-form content and authenticity helped them build a community of more than three million followers. The duo shares their approach to simplifying major market themes and identifying long-term trends across sectors like AI and energy. They also outline the principles that guide their investing philosophy and research.

Emera is advancing energy leadership through strategic investment, operational excellence, and a long-term commitment to customers and communities. CEO Scott Balfour joins Inside the ICE House to discuss how the company’s NYSE listing expands access to global capital and strengthens its ability to deliver reliable, affordable power.

Brad Feld is championing a philosophy of generosity and collaboration to strengthen entrepreneurial ecosystems. The author and venture capitalist goes Inside the ICE House to share insights from his new book, "Give First: The Power of Mentorship", and how its principles shape mentorship and leadership. He discusses building better communities, fostering innovation, and why giving without expectation creates lasting impact.

Eric Criscuolo, Market Strategist at the NYSE, recaps a week marked by consolidation ahead of next week’s Fed decision. After a strong post-Thanksgiving rally, the S&P 500 held above key moving averages, trading in a tight range near record highs as volatility compressed. Small caps outperformed late in the week, driven by thematic baskets tied to AI and robotics, even as rising global yields pressured equities. Crypto saw sharp swings, with Bitcoin reversing early losses to test resistance near its 20-day average. Markets close steady with attention turning to the Fed’s rate cut outlook, economic projections, and major earnings on deck.

Phil Rosen of Opening Bell Daily joins Inside the ICE House to break down rising expectations for a December rate cut and what it signals about a divided Fed. He explains why a cut in a strong market could boost already bullish momentum into 2026. Phil also puts Bitcoin’s recent dip in context, noting its long-term story and institutional support remain intact. He highlights December’s seasonal strength as another tailwind for investors.

McGraw Hill is building on its legacy as a trusted education partner while driving a bold digital transformation. Chief Digital Information Officer David Cortese goes Inside the ICE House to share how technology is reshaping the company’s approach to learning. He discusses innovations that personalize education, strategies to empower teachers, and tools that help students succeed in a rapidly changing world.

NYSE Texas is driving economic growth through innovation, market access, and strategic partnerships. President Bryan Daniel joins Inside the ICE House to discuss how Texas’s pro-business foundation and collaborative leadership are creating new opportunities for companies to raise capital and scale. He highlights how entrepreneurship and a supportive regulatory environment are positioning Texas as a rising force in the global marketplace.

In November, Inside the ICE House aired seven new episodes, both traditional and our Markets in Focus series in partnership with Opening Bell Daily. Episode 494: Chemours CFO Shane Hostetter on Driving Growth Through Strategy & Innovation Episode 495: Bausch + Lomb CEO Brent Saunders on Comeback, R&D Innovation, and the Evolution of Eye Care November Markets in Focus: Labor Market Slowdown, AI Boom vs Dot Com Bubble, Market Opportunities Episode 496: CRH CEO Jim Mintern on Building the Future of the Building Materials Industry Episode 497: Athene CEO Grant Kvalheim on Addressing America's Growing Retirement Crisis Episode 498: Realty Income CEO Sumit Roy on Monthly Dividends, European Expansion, and the Future of Net Lease Episode 499: GeoPark CEO Felipe Bayon on Leading a New Era and Building Long-term Success

Bob Pisani, former CNBC Senior Markets Correspondent, joins Bilal Little to share insights from his decades covering Wall Street and global markets. He reflects on witnessing the evolution of ETFs and how they reshaped investing for institutions and individuals alike. Pisani discusses his personal approach to building a portfolio and the principles that guide his long-term strategy. He highlights lessons learned from market cycles and the importance of staying disciplined amid volatility.

GeoPark is charting a bold course for growth and energy leadership across Latin America. CEO Felipe Bayón goes Inside the ICE House to share how his first months at the helm are shaping the company’s strategic vision and operational priorities. He discusses GeoPark’s expansion into Argentina, its commitment to sustainable development, and the disciplined approach driving exploration and production success.

Realty Income is redefining net-lease leadership through disciplined growth, global expansion, and a commitment to dependable income. CEO Sumit Roy joins Inside the ICE House to discuss how the company’s scale, diversification, and strategic international moves are strengthening long-term value. He highlights how rigorous underwriting, data-driven decisions, and a culture of operational excellence are driving efficiency, innovation, and lasting impact across commercial real estate.

Eric Criscuolo, Market Strategist at the NYSE, recaps a week defined by fading AI momentum and shifting rate expectations. The S&P 500 broke below its 50-day average before Nvidia’s blowout earnings briefly lifted sentiment, only for gains to fade as selling resumed. Defensive sectors outperformed while Tech and Consumer Discretionary led declines, and crypto weakness added to risk-off signals. Labor data pushed yields lower and revived rate-cut bets, even as volatility ticked higher. The week closes with markets testing the 100-day average and eyes on holiday-shortened trading, economic updates, and sector rotation ahead.

Athene is redefining retirement security through innovation, scale, and long-term vision. CEO Grant Kvalheim joins Inside the ICE House to discuss how the company’s five-year growth plan is expanding its market leadership and helping millions of Americans build more confident retirements. He shares how Athene’s partnership with Apollo Global Management, commitment to digital transformation, and culture of ownership are driving efficiency, innovation, and lasting impact across the retirement services industry.

CRH is reshaping the future of building materials through innovation, scale, and strategic growth. CEO Jim Mintern joins Inside the ICE House to discuss how the company’s record performance and U.S. focus are driving infrastructure renewal and sustainable development. He shares how CRH’s connected portfolio, entrepreneurial culture, and recent acquisitions are strengthening its leadership and advancing long-term growth across America’s built environment.

Michael Reinking, Senior Market Strategist at the NYSE, recaps a week marked by the end of a record 43-day government shutdown and fading AI euphoria. Markets wrestled with delayed data and Fed caution on rate cuts as volatility ticked higher. AI stocks cooled after bubble warnings and bearish bets, while investors rotated toward quality and large caps. Crypto weakness and rising VIX added to risk-off signals. The week closed steady, with eyes on earnings, global PMIs, and fresh economic data ahead.

Eric Fine, Portfolio Manager, Emerging Market Debt at VanEck, joins Bilal Little to discuss how emerging markets are redefining opportunity within global fixed income. He explains how stronger fiscal discipline, independent central banks, and attractive yields are positioning EM bonds as resilient and rewarding investments. Fine shares how his international background and policy experience shape his approach to analyzing countries through markets. Please note that VanEck may offer investments products that invest in the asset class(es) or industries included in this video. This is not an offer to buy or sell, or a recommendation to buy or sell any of the securities, financial instruments or digital assets mentioned herein. The information presented does not involve the rendering of personalized investment, financial, legal, tax advice, or any call to action. Certain statements contained herein may constitute projections, forecasts and other forward-looking statements, which do not reflect actual results, are for illustrative purposes only, are valid as of the date of this communication, and are subject to change without notice. Actual future performance of any assets or industries mentioned are unknown. Information provided by third party sources are believed to be reliable and have not been independently verified for accuracy or completeness and cannot be guaranteed. VanEck does not guarantee the accuracy of third party data. The information herein represents the opinion of the author(s), but not necessarily those of VanEck or its other employees. There are inherent risks with fixed income investing. These risks may include interest rate, call, credit, market, inflation, government policy, liquidity, or junk bond. When interest rates rise, bond prices fall. This risk is heightened with investments in longer duration fixed-income securities and during periods when prevailing interest rates are low or negative. Investments in emerging markets bonds may be substantially more volatile, and substantially less liquid, than the bonds of governments, government agencies, and government-owned corporations located in more developed foreign markets. Emerging markets bonds can have greater custodial and operational risks, and less developed legal and accounting systems than developed markets. Gold investments are subject to the risks associated with concentrating its assets in the gold industry, which can be significantly affected by international economic, monetary and political developments. Investments in gold may decline in value due to developments specific to the gold industry. Foreign gold security investments involve risks related to adverse political and economic developments unique to a country or a region, currency fluctuations or controls, and the possibility of arbitrary action by foreign governments, or political, economic or social instability. Gold investments are subject to risks associated with investments in U.S. and non-U.S. issuers, commodities and commodity-linked derivatives, commodities and commodity-linked derivatives tax, gold-mining industry, derivatives, emerging market securities, foreign currency transactions, foreign securities, other investment companies, management, market, non-diversification, operational, regulatory, small- and medium-capitalization companies and subsidiary risks. All investing is subject to risk, including the possible loss of the money you invest. As with any investment strategy, there is no guarantee that investment objectives will be met and investors may lose money. Diversification does not ensure a profit or protect against a loss in a declining market. Past performance is no guarantee of future performance. No part of this material may be reproduced in any form, or referred to in any other publication, without express written permission of Van Eck Associates Corporation.