Key Takeaways
- Apple (AAPL) is set to appeal a recent decision by Italy's antitrust regulator, which reportedly includes a fine of approximately €99 million ($115.7 million) related to alleged abuse of its dominant position in App Store practices.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced upcoming sanction decisions targeting Russian entities and those supporting Russian aggression, notably including individuals from China involved in the Russian military industry.
- Spot platinum prices surged by nearly 5% to $2,073.63 per ounce, extending significant gains over the past month and year, driven by economic uncertainty and a projected supply deficit.
Technology giant Apple (AAPL) has declared its strong disagreement with a decision from Italy's antitrust regulator and plans to appeal the ruling. The Italian Competition Authority (AGCM) reportedly imposed a fine of €99 million, equivalent to approximately $115.7 million, citing alleged abuse of Apple's dominant market position concerning its App Store practices. This development comes amid broader global scrutiny of Apple's App Store policies, including commission rates and app distribution rules, which have faced challenges in various jurisdictions.
Separately, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine is preparing additional sanction decisions against Russian entities and those who support Russian aggression. Notably, these measures are expected to target individuals involved in the Russian military industry, including those from China. Zelenskyy also indicated plans to synchronize these new sanctions with international partners, specifically mentioning a forthcoming 20th package of EU sanctions and a new package from Canada. This follows recent EU sanctions (December 15, 2025) that targeted individuals and firms supporting Russia's "shadow oil fleet" and those implicated in hybrid operations and cyberattacks.
In commodity markets, spot platinum prices experienced a significant rally, extending gains to trade nearly 5% higher at $2,073.63 per ounce. The precious metal reached $2,091.50 per troy ounce on Monday, December 22, marking a 4.15% increase from the previous day. Over the last month, platinum prices have climbed by an impressive 35.39%, and year-over-year, they are up by a remarkable 120.67%. This surge has pushed platinum to its highest levels since 2008, largely attributed to rising economic and policy uncertainty in the United States driving investors towards alternative assets. Furthermore, ongoing supply concerns, particularly from major producer South Africa, contribute to the upward price pressure, with a projected supply deficit of 69,200 ounces in 2025, marking the third consecutive annual shortfall.
Ed Liston is a senior contributing editor at TheStockMarketWatch.com. An active market watcher and investor, Ed guides an independent team of experienced analysts and writes for multiple stock trader publications.