As 2025 draws to a close, it's time to look back at the business year that was, but perhaps without the anger. Inspired by the iconic Britpop band Oasis, we're taking a cue from their hit 'Don't Look Back in Anger' to review the corporate landscape's highs and lows with a measure of cool detachment.
The Champagne Supernovas: The Year's Biggest Wins
Several sectors and deals truly shone in 2025, reaching for the stars and often grabbing them. The renewable energy transition continued its relentless march, with major investments in green hydrogen and critical minerals proving to be standout performers. Companies that successfully pivoted to meet net-zero demands found themselves riding a powerful wave of investor and consumer sentiment.
In technology, artificial intelligence moved beyond hype into tangible, profit-driving applications. Firms that integrated AI to solve real-world supply chain, healthcare, and productivity challenges saw their valuations swell. Meanwhile, the resilience of the Australian consumer, despite cost-of-living pressures, surprised many analysts, keeping the retail and hospitality sectors afloat through strategic adaptation and experience-focused offerings.
The Slide Aways: Deals and Sectors That Stumbled
Not every venture could be a wonderwall. Some high-profile projects and sectors faced significant headwinds. Certain speculative ventures in the cryptocurrency and digital asset space experienced dramatic corrections, leaving investors nursing heavy losses. The property market's trajectory was a tale of two cities, with some regions cooling rapidly as interest rate impacts fully flowed through.
Several much-hyped mergers and acquisitions also failed to deliver the promised synergies within the year, leading to write-downs and strategic rethinks. The aviation sector continued its turbulent recovery, grappling with volatile fuel prices and shifting travel patterns that made consistent profitability elusive for some carriers.
Lessons Learned and the Road Ahead
The key takeaway from 2025 is that agility and genuine value creation trumped sheer size or buzz. Businesses that listened closely to their customers and managed their fundamentals with discipline generally fared best. The year underscored that in a world of rapid change, corporate resilience is built on diversification, innovation, and operational excellence.
As we turn the page to 2026, the Oasis anthem's spirit feels apt. There's little profit in anger over missed opportunities or failed bets. Instead, the business community is taking stock, learning its lessons, and already beginning to hum the tune of next year's challenges and possibilities. The final lesson of 2025 might just be that sometimes, you need to roll with it and get on with building what's next.
