Lawmakers in the Netherlands have advanced plans to introduce a 36% tax on unrealized capital gains beginning in 2028, a move that would apply to stocks, bonds, and cryptocurrencies. The proposal would require investors to pay taxes on the paper appreciation of assets, even if they have not sold them.

Under the new framework, investors whose portfolios show gains at the time of annual tax assessment could face levies based on market value increases rather than realized profits. The measure represents a significant shift from traditional capital gains taxation, which typically applies only when assets are sold.

Supporters argue the reform is designed to create a more transparent and consistent system for taxing wealth and investment income.

Why the Netherlands is changing its tax model

The proposal follows years of legal and political debate over how investment income is taxed in the Netherlands. Courts have previously ruled that elements of the country’s existing “Box 3” wealth tax system unfairly assumed a fixed return on assets, prompting calls for reform.

Policymakers say taxing unrealized gains at 36% more accurately reflects actual market performance and could help stabilize government revenues. The plan would cover a broad range of financial assets, including publicly traded equities, fixed-income securities, and digital assets such as cryptocurrencies.

As previously covered, several countries have explored alternative wealth taxation models in response to rising asset prices and widening income inequality. However, directly taxing unrealized gains remains controversial due to valuation complexity and liquidity concerns.

Concerns over capital flight and investor behavior

Critics warn that the proposed tax could alter investor incentives and encourage capital outflows. By taxing gains that have not been converted into cash, investors may be forced to sell assets to cover tax liabilities, particularly during volatile market conditions.

There are also fears that high-net-worth individuals and internationally mobile investors could relocate assets or residency to more tax-friendly jurisdictions. Analysts note that in an increasingly globalized financial system, capital can move quickly in response to policy changes.

The inclusion of cryptocurrencies in the tax regime adds another layer of complexity, given the asset class’s volatility and cross-border nature. Investors may face significant tax bills following market rallies, even if prices subsequently decline before assets are sold.

Supporters of the reform argue that a clear and rules-based system could reduce uncertainty compared with the current framework. Still, the debate highlights the tension between revenue generation and competitiveness in financial markets.

If implemented as planned in 2028, the 36% levy would place the Netherlands among the more aggressive European jurisdictions in taxing investment gains. The final impact will depend on implementation details, market conditions, and whether investors choose to adapt or exit.

Shares of Kering jumped around 10% after the French luxury conglomerate reported quarterly sales that exceeded expectations and laid out a fresh strategy under its newly appointed chief executive. The rally marked one of Kering’s strongest single-day performances in recent years, reflecting renewed investor confidence after a prolonged period of underperformance.

The earnings update offered early signs that pressure on the group’s core business may be easing, particularly at Gucci, which accounts for nearly half of Kering’s revenue. Sales came in ahead of analyst forecasts, defying fears of a deeper slowdown in global luxury demand.

Investors responded positively to both the numbers and the strategic reset outlined by management, pushing Kering’s market capitalization sharply higher.

Why investors welcomed the new strategy

The new CEO emphasized a disciplined turnaround plan focused on restoring brand desirability, improving execution, and tightening cost controls. Management said the priority is to stabilize Gucci’s performance before accelerating growth, signaling a shift away from aggressive expansion toward brand rebuilding.

As previously covered, Gucci has struggled with slowing sales and uneven consumer demand following years of rapid growth. The new leadership acknowledged these challenges while stressing that corrective measures are already underway, including product adjustments, pricing discipline, and a renewed focus on core customers.

Analysts noted that beating sales estimates was particularly important given the cautious tone surrounding the luxury sector. The result suggests that Kering may be navigating the downturn better than feared, even as competitors face mixed demand across regions.

What it means for the luxury sector

Kering’s rebound comes at a sensitive moment for luxury stocks, which have been under pressure from slowing Chinese demand, inflation-weary consumers, and rising competition. The sharp share price reaction indicates that expectations had become deeply pessimistic, leaving room for upside when results stabilized.

For investors, the update offers tentative reassurance that Kering’s issues are manageable rather than structural. While a full recovery is likely to take time, early evidence of sales resilience and strategic clarity has shifted sentiment in the company’s favor.

The move also highlights how leadership changes can act as catalysts in beaten-down sectors. Markets are now betting that the new CEO can execute a credible turnaround and restore confidence in Gucci as a growth engine.

Looking ahead, analysts caution that risks remain, particularly if global consumer spending weakens further. However, Kering’s ability to outperform expectations in a challenging environment suggests the worst-case scenarios may be off the table at least for now.

As the luxury sector searches for signs of stabilization, Kering’s results and market reaction could mark an early inflection point, setting the tone for how investors reassess luxury stocks in the months ahead.

Apple has quietly reclaimed a $4 trillion market capitalization, restoring its position as the world’s second-most valuable publicly traded company. The milestone comes at a time when markets are increasingly unsettled by fears of an artificial intelligence spending bubble – a race Apple has largely chosen to sit out.

While technology peers commit enormous capital to AI infrastructure, Apple has taken a notably restrained path. The company plans to spend about $18 billion on AI-related investments, a fraction of what rivals are allocating. By comparison, Meta is spending roughly $115 billion, Alphabet around $175 billion, and Amazon close to $200 billion.

That contrast has not gone unnoticed by investors increasingly wary of margin pressure and uncertain returns from massive AI bets.

Why Apple’s restraint is paying off

As concerns mount over whether AI investment will generate profits quickly enough, Apple’s conservative capital allocation is being viewed as a strength rather than a weakness. Analysts note that Apple’s business model remains anchored in hardware, services, and ecosystem lock-in, reducing its reliance on speculative AI-driven revenue.

Instead of racing to overhaul Siri with ambitious in-house AI promises, Apple chose a pragmatic route. Chief executive Tim Cook struck a partnership with Google, integrating external AI capabilities rather than attempting to build everything internally. The move lowered development risk and avoided the ballooning costs seen elsewhere in the sector.

That strategy has had tangible results. iPhone sales have benefited from the partnership, surprising investors who had expected AI hesitation to weigh on demand. As previously covered, markets have begun to favor companies that demonstrate discipline over scale in AI spending.

What Apple’s approach signals for markets

Apple’s return to a $4 trillion valuation highlights a broader shift in investor sentiment. After months of enthusiasm for AI-led growth at any cost, markets are increasingly rewarding predictability, cash flow stability, and balance-sheet strength.

The contrast with heavily leveraged AI strategies is stark. While competitors chase transformative breakthroughs with massive capital outlays, Apple continues to extract value from its existing ecosystem, reinforcing margins without taking on outsized execution risk.

For investors, Apple’s performance suggests that standing still or at least moving carefully can be a competitive advantage during periods of technological hype. The company’s ability to regain ground while others face valuation pressure underscores the appeal of restraint amid uncertainty.

Looking ahead, analysts say Apple may continue to benefit if skepticism around AI spending deepens. While the company is unlikely to ignore AI entirely, its measured approach positions it as a safe harbor within Big Tech at a moment when markets are questioning how much is too much.

U.S. financial markets suffered another major blow as roughly $1 trillion in market capitalization was erased from equities in a single session, underscoring the growing strain across risk assets. The selloff was mirrored in digital markets, where the total cryptocurrency capitalization fell by approximately $330 billion on the day.

The losses were concentrated in technology stocks, many of which had been trading near or at record highs only weeks earlier. The sharp reversal has intensified concerns that the market is undergoing a deeper repricing rather than a short-lived correction.

The downturn also pushed cumulative losses across leading technology companies into the trillions, signaling a decisive shift in investor sentiment.

Tech leaders drive the equity decline

Several high-profile technology and crypto-linked stocks have suffered dramatic drawdowns from their recent peaks. Shares of Strategy have plunged about 80%, while Coinbase is down roughly 66%. Netflix has fallen 40%, Palantir 36%, and AMD around 27%.

Losses have also weighed heavily on mega-cap leaders. Microsoft and Broadcom are both down about 27% and 25% respectively, while Tesla has slipped roughly 20%. Nvidia, one of the biggest beneficiaries of the artificial intelligence boom, is down about 18%, and Meta has declined roughly 17% from its recent highs.

Together, the so-called “Magnificent Seven” technology stocks have now shed an estimated $3 trillion in combined market capitalization since their latest record levels, highlighting the scale of the reversal in some of the market’s most crowded trades.

Crypto adds to the pressure

The crypto market has moved in lockstep with equities during the selloff. Bitcoin and other major digital assets declined sharply, contributing to the $330 billion drop in total crypto market value. Analysts say the correlation reflects tightening liquidity and a broader move away from speculative assets.

As previously covered, periods of synchronized selling across equities and crypto often point to forced deleveraging rather than asset-specific news. Elevated volatility and margin pressures have amplified losses across both markets.

The combined equity and crypto drawdown underscores how quickly confidence has deteriorated after months of optimism driven by artificial intelligence enthusiasm and expectations of easier financial conditions.

What investors are watching next

The scale of the losses has prompted investors to reassess risk exposure, particularly in high-growth and technology-heavy portfolios. While some market participants argue that valuations had become stretched, others warn that continued volatility could trigger further selling if key support levels fail.

Attention is now turning to macroeconomic signals, central bank guidance, and corporate earnings for clues on whether markets can stabilize. Analysts caution that until volatility subsides and liquidity improves, downside risks may remain elevated.

For now, the message from markets is clear: the unwind in technology stocks and crypto has erased trillions in value, marking one of the most significant shifts in risk appetite in recent years.