Tag: market

  • FX Markets Quiet Ahead of This Week’s Important Data and Events

    Here’s what you need to know for Monday, February 16:

    Major currency pairs begin the week trading within established ranges, as investors remain cautious ahead of several key events and important macroeconomic releases scheduled for later in the week. In Europe, December Industrial Production figures are due on Monday. Meanwhile, US stock and bond markets are closed for the Presidents Day holiday.

    The US Dollar Index ended last week on a softer note, as below-forecast inflation data prevented the greenback from gaining momentum before the weekend. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, annual Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation slowed to 2.4% in January from 2.7% in December, undershooting expectations of 2.5%. Early Monday, the USD Index is moving sideways around the 97.00 mark during European trading hours.

    Early Monday, CBS News reported—citing two sources—that US President Donald Trump told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu he would back Israeli strikes targeting Iran’s ballistic missile program. So far, markets have shown little reaction, with West Texas Intermediate crude trading largely flat near $62.80 per barrel.

    EUR/USD remains in consolidation mode, hovering just above 1.1850 after ending last week slightly higher. European Central Bank policymaker Joachim Nagel is expected to speak later in the day.

    In Asia, Japan’s data showed that fourth-quarter Gross Domestic Product (GDP) expanded at an annualized rate of 0.2%, rebounding from a 2.6% contraction in the prior quarter but missing the 1.6% growth forecast. After dropping nearly 3% last week, USD/JPY is recovering modestly, up 0.4% on the day to trade near 153.30.

    AUD/USD trades in a tight range below 0.7100 in European hours. The Reserve Bank of Australia will release minutes from its February meeting early Tuesday, when it raised the policy rate by 25 basis points to 3.85%.

    Gold surged on Friday and closed the week higher, though XAU/USD is struggling to maintain upward momentum and is trading below the $5,000 level on Monday morning in Europe.

    The UK’s Office for National Statistics is set to publish employment data on Tuesday. GBP/USD remains subdued, edging slightly below 1.3650.

    Finally, Statistics Canada will release January CPI data on Tuesday. USD/CAD trades steadily around 1.3600 in European hours after posting modest losses last week.

    Sources: Eren Sengezer

  • S&P 500: Market volatility widens as AI concerns trigger a valuation reset, says Deutsche Bank.

    Analysts at Deutsche Bank say mounting concerns about artificial intelligence have sparked a dramatic repricing in global equities, wiping out more than $1 trillion in market value and spreading volatility far beyond the technology sector. They note that softer U.S. economic data and mixed growth signals also contributed to a strong rally in Treasuries and weekly declines in the S&P 500.

    AI fears deepen and broaden the sell-off

    Over the past two weeks, markets have erased well over $1 trillion in global equity value amid worries that AI could fundamentally alter business models and squeeze profit margins across industries ranging from software and legal services to IT consulting, wealth management, logistics, insurance, real estate brokerage, and commercial property.

    What began as tech-driven volatility earlier in the month evolved into a more indiscriminate market downturn last week. The low point came on Thursday with a sharp drop in software stocks, but losses were widespread. Companies in wealth management, real estate, and financials posted double-digit declines, highlighting the breadth of the pullback.

    Market breadth reflected the shift: the equal-weighted S&P 500 fell 1.37% on Thursday before ending the week up 0.29% (including a 1.04% gain on Friday). Overall, major U.S. indices closed the week weaker, with the S&P 500 down 1.39%, the Nasdaq Composite off 2.10%, and the “Magnificent 7” sliding 3.24%.

    While AI-related fears dominated sentiment, a busy run of U.S. economic data also influenced markets. Early-week releases—including flat December retail sales, a softer fourth-quarter Employment Cost Index, and downgraded Q4 growth estimates from the Atlanta Fed—helped drive Treasury yields lower across the curve.

    Sources: Fxstreet

  • Gold holds intraday losses as Fed cut bets pressure USD.

    Gold starts the week under pressure, weighed down by a slight rebound in the US Dollar and improved market sentiment. Even so, ongoing geopolitical tensions—particularly ahead of the upcoming US-Iran talks—could offer support to the safe-haven metal. At the same time, expectations that the Federal Reserve will deliver additional rate cuts may restrain the Dollar and help cushion gold’s downside.

    During early European trading on Monday, Gold (XAU/USD) stays subdued but has bounced off its intraday low to hover near the key $5,000 psychological level. A mix of supportive factors suggests caution for traders considering aggressive short positions or anticipating a deeper decline.

    A modest uptick in the USD, coupled with a broadly upbeat risk mood, is putting mild pressure on bullion. However, geopolitical risks remain elevated ahead of the second round of US-Iran nuclear negotiations. The US has deployed another aircraft carrier to the region and signaled readiness for a prolonged military response if talks collapse. In turn, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have warned of retaliation against US bases in the event of strikes. These tensions could underpin gold prices.

    Meanwhile, strong and sustained USD gains appear limited due to dovish Fed expectations, which tend to favor the non-yielding precious metal. Although last week’s robust Nonfarm Payrolls report initially supported the Dollar, softer US inflation data released Friday revived bets that the Fed could begin cutting rates as soon as June. Headline CPI rose 0.2% and core CPI increased 0.3% in the latest reading, reinforcing expectations of further policy easing and potentially limiting gold’s losses.

    Additionally, lighter trading conditions due to the US Presidents Day holiday may discourage traders from taking bold directional positions in XAU/USD. Upcoming remarks from Fed officials could influence both the Dollar and gold, but attention will center on Wednesday’s FOMC meeting minutes for clearer signals on the rate-cut outlook. Later in the week, global flash PMI data on Friday may provide fresh trading opportunities.

    XAU/USD 1-hour chart

    Gold is rejected at the 100-hour SMA resistance.

    XAU/USD’s failure to sustain gains above the 100-period Simple Moving Average (SMA) from Friday’s rally continues to favor the bears. The pair remains below this downward-sloping indicator near $5,028.40, which is limiting upside attempts and maintaining a negative intraday outlook. Meanwhile, the MACD has slipped beneath its signal line into negative territory, with an expanding bearish histogram highlighting growing downside momentum. The RSI sits at 45, in neutral territory but trending lower, in line with the softer bias.

    As long as XAU/USD trades below the falling 100-period SMA, pressure is likely to persist, with the negative MACD setup pointing to ongoing seller dominance. A stronger recovery would require the MACD to cross back above its signal line and the RSI to move above 50, a shift that would reduce bearish pressure and open the door for a corrective rebound.

    Sources: Haresh Menghani

  • Top stocks of the week

    C.H. Robinson, Charles Schwab, CBRE

    The AI-driven displacement trade weighed on multiple sectors this week.

    Logistics companies were particularly pressured, with C.H. Robinson (CHRW) dropping more than 14% on Thursday amid AI-related concerns. The stock has fallen over 10% for the week.

    Brokerage firm Charles Schwab slid starting Tuesday and is down roughly 9% over the past week. Its CEO told Bloomberg TV that management was “disappointed and surprised” by the sell-off, noting the firm is actively integrating AI to benefit clients.

    Real estate services company CBRE sank sharply on Wednesday and Thursday, leaving shares down about 15.2% for the week. While AI-related concerns contributed to the decline, weaker-than-expected revenue in its latest earnings report also weighed on sentiment.

    Applied Materials

    Applied Materials is on track to finish the week higher, surging more than 8% Friday (as of 13:20 ET) after posting quarterly results.

    The company exceeded consensus estimates and delivered strong second-quarter guidance. Brokerage Summit Insights upgraded AMAT to Buy, citing anticipated strength in wafer fabrication equipment (WFE) spending through the second half of 2026.

    Pinterest

    Shares of Pinterest tumbled more than 18% Friday following its post-close earnings release Thursday, bringing its weekly loss to over 22%.

    The company reported fourth-quarter earnings and revenue below analyst expectations and issued first-quarter guidance that also missed consensus. Loop Capital analyst Rob Sanderson said that while Pinterest has a compelling platform and strong user growth, challenges in monetization and exposure to unusual macro conditions are overshadowing its strengths.

    Sanderson downgraded PINS to Hold, noting it may take several quarters to complete its sales reorganization, manage higher spending, and rebuild investor confidence.

    Cisco Systems

    Shares of Cisco Systems dropped more than 12% Thursday following earnings.

    Although Cisco beat profit and revenue expectations and offered upbeat guidance, investors reacted negatively to weaker-than-anticipated gross margins. UBS analyst David Vogt noted that higher memory input costs are expected to pressure margins over the next several quarters, lowering FY26 gross margin forecasts.

    Unity Software

    Unity Software plunged more than 26% Wednesday after earnings, with losses extending into Thursday and Friday. The stock is now down 21% over the past week.

    While fourth-quarter results beat expectations, first-quarter revenue guidance disappointed investors. Despite that, Citizens analyst Andrew Boone maintained a positive stance, arguing that despite uncertainty around AI’s long-term impact, Unity’s platform remains essential for developers given the complexity of game creation and operations.

    Oracle

    After several weeks of declines tied to AI data center concerns, Oracle rebounded strongly, gaining more than 15% this week.

    On Monday, DA Davidson analyst Gil Luria upgraded Oracle to Buy from Neutral. He suggested that a restructured OpenAI could reestablish itself as a leading challenger to Google and meet its commitments to Oracle this year, potentially removing a key overhang for the stock.

    Sources: Sam Boughedda

  • Bitcoin steadies after gaining nearly 4%, yet remains on track for a fourth straight weekly decline.

    Bitcoin snapped a four-session slide on Friday, climbing nearly 4%, though it remained on course for its first four-week losing streak since November 2025. The leading cryptocurrency was up 3.7% at $68,776.1 by 17:15 ET (22:15 GMT), after dropping close to $65,000 in the prior session.

    Bitcoin pressured by tech slump as U.S. inflation eases.

    While Friday’s rebound trimmed some weekly losses, Bitcoin was still headed for a roughly 0.6% decline, struggling to build lasting upside momentum after bouncing from earlier lows and drifting back toward last week’s $60,000 support zone.

    Risk appetite has been fragile amid a prolonged selloff in technology stocks, driven by renewed concerns that artificial intelligence could disrupt traditional software and office-service business models. Those fears resurfaced on Thursday as investors questioned how automation and emerging AI tools might erode established revenue streams.

    At the same time, fresh U.S. inflation data showed price pressures eased more than anticipated in January. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, headline CPI rose 2.4% year-over-year, down from 2.7% in December, while core CPI increased 2.5%, matching forecasts.

    On a monthly basis, headline CPI gained 0.2% and core CPI 0.3%, with the softer headline figure boosting expectations that the Federal Reserve could move toward policy easing. However, strong labor market data earlier in the week—highlighting solid payroll growth and a lower unemployment rate—had dampened hopes for near-term rate cuts.

    Dessislava Ianeva of Nexo Dispatch noted that crypto markets appear to be stabilizing after the softer CPI reading, even as ETF outflows continue, with positioning data suggesting lower leverage and consolidation rather than a fresh directional breakout.

    Crypto leaders appointed to CFTC Innovation Advisory Committee.

    Separately, the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission appointed several prominent crypto executives to its new Innovation Advisory Committee, including Brian Armstrong of Coinbase, Brad Garlinghouse of Ripple, Vladimir Tenev of Robinhood, and Hayden Adams of Uniswap Labs.

    The committee will advise on emerging technologies such as blockchain and AI in derivatives and crypto markets, as regulators clarify oversight of digital assets, with the CFTC expected to take a leading role.

    Elsewhere in the market, altcoins also advanced. Ethereum jumped 5.4% to $2,049.07, XRP rose 2.8% to $1.40, Solana surged 8.3%, Cardano gained 4.1%, and Dogecoin added 4.7%.

    Sources: Anuron Mitra

  • Weekly outlook: US Dollar steadies near 96.80 before PCE data and Fed remarks.

    The US Dollar (USD) posted notable weekly losses, briefly rebounding after stronger-than-expected US jobs data showed 130K new positions added in January and the Unemployment Rate dipping to 4.3% from 4.4%. However, softer January CPI figures pressured the currency.

    The US Dollar Index (DXY) slipped to around 96.80 from 97.15 highs as weak inflation data boosted expectations of a Federal Reserve rate cut later this year. Attention now turns to Friday’s release of the December Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) report, the Fed’s preferred inflation measure.

    EUR/USD hovers around 1.1880, erasing earlier losses after Eurozone flash Q4 GDP came in at 1.4% YoY, above the 1.3% forecast. Focus next week includes the Eurogroup Meeting and December Industrial Production on Monday, followed by the EcoFin Meeting and February Eurozone and German ZEW Surveys on Tuesday.

    AUD/USD trades near 0.7080, close to a three-year peak, supported by the hawkish stance of the Reserve Bank of Australia. Upcoming data include NAB Business Confidence and the Wage Price Index on Wednesday, then Australian jobs figures and the February flash S&P Global Composite PMI on Thursday.

    USD/CAD sits near 1.3600, recovering nearly half of its weekly losses after US inflation data. Markets will watch Canada’s December Retail Sales on Friday.

    USD/JPY trades around 152.80 following a sharp sell-off triggered by the election victory of Sanae Takaichi, which raised fiscal policy concerns. Japan’s National CPI is due on Thursday.

    GBP/USD holds near 1.3650, with UK Producer Price Index and Retail Price Index data due Wednesday, and Retail Sales scheduled for Friday.

    Gold trades around $5,038, rebounding from Thursday’s drop but still below January’s record high of $5,598, as easing geopolitical tensions push investors toward riskier assets.

    Looking ahead to the economic outlook: Key voices take center stage.

    Saturday, February 14

    • Christine Lagarde (ECB President)

    Sunday, February 15

    • Christine Lagarde (ECB President)

    Monday, February 16

    • Michelle Bowman (Fed)
    • Joachim Nagel (ECB)

    Tuesday, February 17

    • José Luis Escrivá (ECB)
    • Michael Barr (Fed)
    • Mary Daly (Fed)

    Wednesday, February 18

    • Piero Cipollone (ECB)
    • Isabel Schnabel (ECB)
    • Michelle Bowman (Fed)

    Thursday, February 19

    • Piero Cipollone (ECB)
    • Luis de Guindos (ECB)
    • Raphael Bostic (Fed)
    • Michelle Bowman (Fed)
    • Neel Kashkari (Fed)
    • Christian Hawkesby (rbnz official)

    Friday, February 20

    • Christine Lagarde (ECB President)
    • Raphael Bostic (Fed)

    Central bank meetings and upcoming economic data releases are set to guide the next moves in monetary policy.

    Sunday, February 15

    • Japan flash Q4 GDP

    Tuesday, February 17

    • Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) Meeting Minutes
    • Germany January Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices (HICP)
    • UK January Claimant Count Change
    • UK December Employment Change
    • UK December ILO Unemployment Rate
    • Canada January CPI

    Wednesday, February 18

    • Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) Interest Rate Decision
    • UK January CPI
    • Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) Minutes

    Thursday, February 19

    • Australia January Employment Change
    • Australia Unemployment Rate

    Friday, February 20

    • UK January Retail Sales
    • Germany February flash HCOB Composite PMIs
    • Eurozone PMIs
    • UK flash February S&P Global PMIs
    • US December Core Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE)
    • US February S&P Global PMIs

    Sources: Agustin Wazne

  • Austan Goolsbee said rates may fall if services inflation eases.

    Austan Goolsbee said in a Friday interview with Yahoo Finance that while interest rates are likely to decline further, any additional cuts will depend on continued progress in bringing down services inflation.

    He described the latest CPI report as mixed, with both positive signals and lingering concerns, noting that services inflation remains elevated and above target. Goolsbee expressed hope that the peak effects of tariffs have passed and pointed to strong January employment data as evidence of a broadly stable labor market with only modest cooling. Although he believes rates could be reduced further, he stressed the need for clearer improvement in inflation before accelerating cuts, warning that persistently high services inflation is a risk.

    He added that the U.S. consumer remains the economy’s strongest pillar and should stay resilient if the job market holds steady and inflation eases. If inflation returns to 2%, he said, the Fed would have room to implement several more rate cuts.

    Sources: Joshua Gibson

  • Why the January 2026 CPI Paints a Distorted Picture: How the Government Shutdown Skewed the Data

    A few months ago, a government shutdown led to a missed CPI release because the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) lacked sufficient data to calculate the October 2025 figure. The bigger issue, however, was methodological: when compiling the November index, the BLS was effectively required to assume that prices in several major categories—especially rents—were unchanged in October. This created an artificial drop in year-over-year inflation.

    While some of that distortion has already begun to reverse, a more significant rebound is expected in a few months when the Owners’ Equivalent Rent (OER) survey rotation triggers a sharp offsetting increase—precisely six months after the initial dip. Until that adjustment plays out, inflation data will remain hard to interpret, and the annual comparisons will understate true price pressures. So claims that the latest report shows the smallest yearly increase in core inflation since 2021, suggesting the Federal Reserve is near its target, are misleading.

    In reality, core year-over-year inflation is roughly 0.25%–0.3% higher than reported. Markets for CPI fixings already anticipate headline inflation rising to about 2.82% in four months—not because of energy prices, but due to this statistical catch-up.

    January is typically a challenging month for inflation data anyway, as businesses often offer discounts in December before implementing annual price hikes in January. Because these adjustments are irregular, they are difficult to seasonally adjust, making January surprises common. This time, consensus forecasts called for a 0.27% month-over-month rise in headline CPI and 0.31% in core, with some estimates—such as from Barclays—as high as 0.39% for core. Much of the speculation centered on whether remaining tariff-related price increases would be passed through at the start of the year. Ultimately, they were not. The actual figures came in at +0.17% for headline and +0.30% for core.

    The weaker headline reading was largely due to gasoline pricing dynamics. Although gas prices increased over the course of January, the monthly average was still lower than December’s average, because prices had fallen sharply in December. Since the BLS calculates CPI based on average monthly prices rather than end-of-month levels, this produced a softer headline figure.

    Core inflation, meanwhile, appeared close to target at first glance: the 2.5% year-over-year rate is the lowest since March 2021. Yet the 0.30% monthly increase was the third-highest in the past year and translates to an annualized pace of 3.6%. That hardly signals a smooth return to 2% inflation—raising questions about whether it is truly “mission accomplished” for the Fed.

    Core inflation was also somewhat flattered by a sharp 1.84% month-over-month decline in used car prices. In reality, used car prices did rise in January, but by less than the typical seasonal pattern, which translated into a sizable seasonally adjusted drop and created a noticeable drag on the core figure. (That said, it’s important not to dismiss components simply because they don’t align with the broader narrative.) Overall, core goods inflation slowed to 1.1% year over year from 1.4%, while core services edged down to 2.9% from 3.0%.

    Although core goods inflation declined more than expected due to the sharp move in used cars, some moderation isn’t surprising. The real issue isn’t whether core goods will reaccelerate to 3–4%, but whether it remains in positive territory or slips back into the persistent deflation that characterized the sector for many years. That distinction matters, even if core goods make up only about 20% of the CPI basket. Until recently, the narrative centered on tariffs; going forward, it may shift toward onshoring. The decades-long trend of goods deflation—driven by offshoring production to low-wage countries—may not reassert itself if manufacturing activity continues to migrate back. That’s the broader theme to monitor, though it’s not the main takeaway from January 2026’s data.

    On autos specifically, new car prices posted a modest increase. It’s worth considering how changes in sales composition might evolve now that electric vehicles are no longer being actively promoted by the executive branch. Traditional gasoline-powered cars tend to be cheaper upfront, so if buyers shift back toward them—absent tax incentives for EVs—the average transaction price could decline. However, it’s unclear how significantly overall sales patterns will change, or how production strategies will adjust now that automakers may feel less pressure to meet EV quotas. It’s also uncertain how granular the Bureau of Labor Statistics survey is in accounting for shifts in fleet composition. If there is any measurable impact on CPI, it would likely be slightly negative—and probably modest in size.

    As for rents, Owners’ Equivalent Rent (OER) rose 0.22% month over month, down from 0.31% previously, while Rent of Primary Residence increased 0.25%, slightly below last month’s 0.27%. The month-to-month trend in OER shows a clear deceleration—though notably, it omits the artificial zero recorded in October due to the earlier data disruption.

    While the slowdown is evident, my model suggests the pace should now be stabilizing around this level rather than continuing to decline sharply. In other words, rents are cooling, but likely nearing a plateau. That isn’t the defining story of January 2026—but it may well become one of the central inflation themes for the rest of 2026.

    Medicinal drug prices slipped 0.15% month over month. Some observers had anticipated a much larger decline, partly due to efforts by the Trump Administration to push manufacturers to align U.S. drug prices more closely with those abroad. So far, however, no clear downward trend is evident. A potentially more consequential development is the Trump RX initiative, aimed at increasing pricing transparency and reducing the role of intermediaries in the highly opaque pharmaceutical distribution chain—long dominated by three major wholesalers and three large pharmacy benefit managers.

    If successful, it could meaningfully reduce out-of-pocket drug costs for consumers. That said, when medications are paid for by insurers rather than directly by households, the impact does not show up straightforwardly in the CPI, appearing only indirectly—an accounting nuance that complicates interpretation. In short, consumer drug prices may decline, but the timing and visibility of that effect in CPI data remain uncertain.

    The most encouraging element of the report was the continued slowdown in core services excluding rents—often referred to as “supercore” inflation—which eased further even as airfares jumped 6.5% on the month.

    Gotcha. The apparent improvement in “supercore” inflation is another illusion created by the missing October data, which flatters the year-over-year comparison. On a month-over-month basis, core services ex-rents actually surged 0.59% (seasonally adjusted)—the largest increase in a year.

    Even so, the broader trend may still be one of gradual cooling, particularly as median wage growth continues to decelerate. Admittedly, that data is also somewhat noisy at the moment. Still, the gap between median wage growth and median inflation remains around 1%, suggesting real income growth is positive, even if inflation progress is bumpier than headline figures imply.

    There are tentative signs that wage growth’s downward drift may be stabilizing. If so, that would naturally limit how quickly supercore inflation can cool. At the same time, brewing cost pressures in insurance markets are likely to surface over the next six months. Still, none of that defines January 2026.

    The real story this month is that inflation data remain clouded by the government-shutdown gap. The missing October observations continue to flatter year-over-year comparisons, overstating the degree of progress. That statistical quirk makes it easier for the Administration to claim victory, even though underlying inflation does not appear to be cleanly converging back to target.

    Assuming the Federal Reserve recognizes these distortions, the policy outlook seems relatively straightforward. Core inflation—abstracting from the shutdown gap—appears to be running near 3.5%, labor market data have surprised to the upside, and the current Fed leadership has shown little inclination to accommodate political pressure. Under those conditions, there is scant reason to expect a near-term adjustment in overnight rates; if anything, the argument for tightening may be stronger than for easing.

    To be fair, rents continue to decelerate even after adjusting for the October distortion, though my model suggests that slowdown is unlikely to persist much further. Even if it does, a return to outright housing deflation seems improbable. Moderation in supercore inflation is encouraging, but probably insufficient to deliver the degree of cooling the Fed would require. Core goods inflation also looks to have peaked; the open question is whether it settles into low positive territory or slips back into deflation.

    Taken together, my modeling suggests that median inflation around 3.5% (excluding the shutdown effect) may represent something close to a new equilibrium. It’s not unreasonable to see constructive signals in the recent data, but neither do they justify expectations of imminent easing. If disinflation trends persist and leadership dynamics shift—potentially with someone like Kevin Warsh assuming the chair—the door to rate cuts later in the year could open.

    But that is not January 2026’s story.

    Sources: Michael Ashton

  • Bitcoin Open Interest Reaches $34B as Dollar Weakness Hides Steady Leverage Demand

    Total Bitcoin futures open interest has fallen to $34 billion as of Thursday, marking a 28% drop over the past month. However, this decline appears largely driven by price effects rather than a reduction in leverage. When measured in Bitcoin terms, open interest remains broadly unchanged at 502,450 BTC, indicating that underlying demand for leveraged exposure is still intact.

    Over the past two weeks, forced liquidations have reached $5.2 billion, contributing significantly to the contraction in nominal dollar terms. Meanwhile, options markets show a 22% bearish skew, and funding rates continue to stay below the 12% threshold, suggesting that sentiment remains cautious but not excessively overheated.

    Bitcoin Diverges from Traditional Markets

    Bitcoin has declined 28% over the past month, even as gold surged back above the $5,000 psychological threshold and the S&P 500 remains just 1% shy of its record high. This growing divergence has prompted investors to question what is driving crypto’s relative weakness. One possible explanation lies in softer US labor data, with the economy adding only 181,000 jobs in 2025—falling short of expectations.

    In derivatives markets, sentiment remains cautious. The annualized funding rate on Bitcoin futures has stayed below the neutral 12% benchmark for four straight months, reflecting persistent risk aversion. Options markets show even stronger defensive positioning, as the delta skew on Deribit climbed to 22%. This suggests traders are paying a notable premium for protective put options. Under typical conditions, the skew fluctuates between -6% and +6%, signaling more balanced sentiment.

    Despite the bearish tone in derivatives, institutional participation appears steady. US-listed Bitcoin ETFs are recording average daily trading volumes of $5.4 billion, challenging narratives of fading institutional interest. Ultimately, Bitcoin’s near-term rebound may hinge on clearer signals about the direction of the US labor market and broader macroeconomic stability.

    Sources: Isai Alexei

  • MUFG: U.S. Inflation Data to Steer Rate Repricing

    MUFG Senior Currency Analyst Lloyd Chan observes that the US dollar remained resilient after stronger-than-expected nonfarm payrolls, though it struggled to build lasting upward momentum as markets question how much further interest rates can shift in a hawkish direction. He points to the January US CPI release as the next major catalyst, noting that only an upside inflation surprise is likely to spark renewed hawkish repricing and support further dollar strength.

    CPI surprise seen as key for further gains

    Chan explains that while solid payroll data has eased immediate concerns about a sharp slowdown in the labour market, it has not significantly altered the broader macroeconomic outlook. The dollar held steady in the aftermath of the jobs report but failed to generate sustained gains, highlighting investor skepticism over the scope for additional hawkish rate adjustments.

    Attention now turns firmly to the upcoming US CPI data, expected to be the primary driver for both rates and currency markets. MUFG’s US strategist forecasts January core CPI to rise 0.25% month-on-month and 2.6% year-on-year, with base effects boosting the annual figure. In contrast, Bloomberg consensus anticipates 2.5% year-on-year for both headline and core inflation.

    From a market standpoint, inflation would likely need to exceed expectations to prompt a fresh hawkish repricing of the Federal Reserve’s rate trajectory. If the data meets or falls short of forecasts, markets are likely to stick with expectations of roughly two rate cuts this year, limiting further upside for the dollar.

    Sources: Fxstreet

  • Yen Regains Strength: Implications for Forex Traders and Investors

    Understanding the Yen’s Recent Climb

    If you’ve been tracking currency markets, you’ve likely seen the Japanese yen advance for three straight sessions, trading near the 153 JPY/USD level. This move isn’t random—it reflects deeper shifts in forex positioning and strategic reallocations by Japanese investment funds.

    Despite stronger-than-expected U.S. employment data, the yen has gained ground. The key driver appears to be a rotation in positioning: Japanese hedge funds and institutional investors have closed out prior bearish bets on the yen and are now positioning for further appreciation. This shift highlights a broader change in sentiment and confidence within the currency market.

    What’s Fueling the Move?

    The primary catalyst is renewed buying interest from Japanese funds. After unwinding short-yen trades, they are now building long positions, anticipating continued strength. Market perceptions of the Japanese government and the Bank of Japan’s commitment to currency stability are also contributing to this shift.

    While U.S. macroeconomic indicators—such as payroll data—often dominate headlines, this episode shows that capital flows and institutional positioning can at times outweigh even strong economic releases.

    Authorities Remain Vigilant

    Japan’s top foreign exchange official, Junichi Mimura, has emphasized that authorities are closely monitoring currency developments and maintaining active communication with U.S. counterparts. This ongoing dialogue signals a commitment to orderly market conditions.

    For traders and investors, this reinforces an important point: currency movements are shaped not only by data, but also by policy signals, market psychology, and cross-border coordination.

    Sentiment and USD/JPY Positioning

    Recent trends indicate softer demand for USD/JPY hedging, suggesting rising confidence in the yen’s near-term outlook. Shifts in options activity often provide insight into market expectations and potential support or resistance zones.

    Whether you’re a short-term trader or a longer-term investor, staying attuned to these sentiment indicators can help refine entry points and risk management strategies.

    How to Navigate Yen Volatility

    • Monitor official communication: Watch statements from Japanese policymakers and central bank officials.
    • Apply technical analysis: Pay attention to key levels around 153 JPY/USD for potential breakout or reversal signals.
    • Control risk exposure: Use stop-loss strategies to guard against sharp counter-moves.
    • Diversify allocations: Avoid overexposure to a single currency pair by balancing across assets.

    Why It Matters

    The yen’s recent strength reflects more than price action—it represents shifting expectations, institutional flows, and evolving policy narratives. Understanding these dynamics can sharpen your broader market perspective and improve decision-making.

    In forex, staying informed is a competitive advantage. By tracking positioning trends, official commentary, and sentiment signals, you can better anticipate market turns and respond with confidence.

    Sources: Benjamin

  • Oil prices remain under pressure amid supply glut outlook; U.S. CPI data in focus.

    Oil prices were mostly stable in Asian trading on Friday but remained on course for a weekly loss after plunging nearly 3% in the prior session, as expectations of a substantial supply surplus and rising inventories pressured sentiment. By 21:07 ET (02:07 GMT), Brent crude for April delivery was up 0.1% at $67.56 a barrel, while WTI crude also edged 0.1% higher to $62.87. Both benchmarks had dropped close to 3% previously, leaving them down about 1% for the week.

    IEA projects oil supply surplus and weaker demand growth outlook.

    The International Energy Agency, in its latest monthly report, projected that the global oil market could see a surplus exceeding 3.7 million barrels per day in 2026, pointing to a pronounced supply overhang.

    It also noted that global stockpiles grew last year at one of the fastest paces since the pandemic, reflecting comfortable supply levels. The agency lowered its forecast for global demand growth, citing a softer economic outlook and moderating consumption, even as non-OPEC production stays strong. This combination of weaker demand and resilient output has intensified concerns about prolonged oversupply.

    In the U.S., the Energy Information Administration reported an 8.53 million-barrel increase in crude inventories this week—well above expectations and the largest build since January 2025—indicating sluggish refinery demand and abundant supply.

    U.S.- Iran nuclear talks under scrutiny; U.S. CPI data awaited.

    Meanwhile, investors monitored geopolitical developments after Donald Trump said negotiations over a potential U.S.-Iran nuclear deal could last up to a month.

    The possibility of extended talks eased immediate fears of supply disruptions in the Middle East, reducing the geopolitical premium that had previously supported prices. Attention is also turning to U.S. CPI data due later Friday, which may provide further insight into the Federal Reserve’s rate outlook after strong January employment figures dampened hopes for near-term rate cuts.

    Sources:

  • Asian currencies edged lower as the U.S. dollar held firm ahead of the upcoming nonfarm payrolls report.

    Most Asian currencies edged lower on Friday, while the U.S. dollar held steady as investors assessed the interest rate outlook ahead of closely watched U.S. inflation data due later in the session. Despite the day’s softness, many regional currencies were still on track for weekly gains, whereas the dollar continued to reflect broader weekly losses amid uncertainty surrounding U.S. monetary policy.

    Japanese yen outperforms on intervention speculation

    The Japanese yen emerged as one of the strongest Asian performers this week, supported by rising speculation of potential government intervention in currency markets, which helped investors look beyond concerns about Japan’s fiscal position. The USD/JPY pair ticked up 0.2% on Friday but remained down roughly 2.6% for the week—its strongest weekly showing since November 2024.

    The yen’s rally followed a series of hawkish remarks from Japanese officials signaling readiness to intervene, easing worries over elevated fiscal spending under Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.

    Elsewhere, the Australian dollar also posted solid gains, with AUD/USD climbing 1% for the week to a three-year high after hawkish commentary from the Reserve Bank of Australia.

    The South Korean won strengthened as well, with USD/KRW down 1.4% on the week, aided by renewed foreign inflows into domestic equities, particularly chipmakers tied to artificial intelligence themes.

    China’s yuan saw USD/CNY edge up slightly on Friday but remain 0.4% lower for the week, supported by a series of firm daily midpoint settings from the People’s Bank of China. The currency hovered near a nearly three-year peak reached earlier in the week.

    Meanwhile, the Indian rupee was little changed for the week, and the Singapore dollar gained 0.6% against the greenback.

    Dollar steady before CPI, but weekly loss likely

    The dollar index and its futures posted modest gains during Asian hours Friday, with attention fixed on January’s consumer price index report. Although expectations point to a slight cooling in both headline and core inflation, traders remained cautious about potential upside surprises, especially as January CPI has exceeded forecasts in each of the past four years.

    The greenback drew some support earlier in the week from stronger-than-expected nonfarm payrolls data, yet it was still down about 0.7% on a weekly basis. Ongoing uncertainty over U.S. monetary policy—particularly following Kevin Warsh’s nomination as the next Federal Reserve Chair—continued to weigh on the currency.

    Sources: Ambar Warrick

  • Gold steadied below $5,000/oz as rate uncertainty lingered, with CPI data in focus.

    Gold held steady in early Asian trading on Friday after slipping below key technical levels amid growing uncertainty about the outlook for U.S. interest rates, with investors now awaiting upcoming inflation data for clearer direction.

    Silver also stabilized after shedding roughly 10% in the previous session, though metals remained vulnerable following a sharp selloff earlier in the month.

    Persistent doubts about the timing of future U.S. rate cuts continued to pressure precious metals, particularly after January data signaled resilience in the labor market. The U.S. dollar rebounded from weekly lows following Wednesday’s stronger-than-expected nonfarm payrolls report.

    Spot gold edged down 0.1% to $4,915.40 an ounce by 18:31 ET (23:31 GMT), while April gold futures slipped 0.1% to $4,937.60 per ounce. In the prior session, spot prices had dropped more than 3%.

    Spot silver was little changed at $75.060 per ounce, while platinum recovered to trade back above $2,000 per ounce after steep losses a day earlier.

    Thursday’s decline effectively wiped out most of this week’s gains for gold and other precious metals, putting the yellow metal on track for a third consecutive weekly loss.

    Markets have struggled to find direction since a late-January flash crash, with interest rate uncertainty remaining a central headwind. Gold’s retreat from recent record highs was initially sparked by U.S. President Donald Trump’s nomination of Kevin Warsh as the next Federal Reserve Chair, a choice seen as less dovish.

    The robust January jobs report reinforced expectations of fewer rate cuts ahead, while sharp price volatility has also weakened metals’ appeal as safe-haven assets.

    Attention now turns to the January U.S. consumer price index data due later Friday, which could offer further insight into the trajectory of the world’s largest economy. Inflation and labor market conditions remain the Federal Reserve’s primary factors in setting monetary policy.

    Sources: Ambar Warrick

  • Asia stocks dip after Wall Street tech selloff, but still eye solid weekly gains.

    Asian equities retreated on Friday, following a decline in U.S. technology stocks overnight as fresh concerns about stretched artificial intelligence valuations weighed on investor sentiment. Despite the pullback, regional markets remained on track for solid weekly gains after a strong rally earlier in the week fueled by AI enthusiasm and upbeat corporate earnings.

    On Nasdaq Composite, shares fell as investors reassessed elevated AI-related valuations, pressuring semiconductor and growth stocks across Asia. Meanwhile, U.S. stock index futures were mostly flat by late evening trading (22:04 ET / 03:04 GMT).

    KOSPI climbed to a new all-time high and is on track to post a weekly gain of about 9%.

    In South Korea, the KOSPI rose 0.5% to a fresh record of 5,558.82, bucking the broader regional weakness and heading for an impressive weekly gain of nearly 9%, driven by major chipmakers. Samsung Electronics climbed almost 15% this week on optimism surrounding its HBM4 high-bandwidth memory rollout and expanding edge AI prospects, while SK Hynix was poised for a roughly 6% weekly advance.

    Japan’s Nikkei 225 slipped 0.7% after reaching record highs above 58,000 in the prior session but remained on course for a weekly rise of about 6%, supported by renewed trade optimism following the election victory of Sanae Takaichi. The broader TOPIX fell 1% on Friday, though it was still set for a weekly gain of around 4%.

    Australian shares were poised for a weekly advance, supported by strong earnings from major banks.

    Elsewhere, Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 dropped 1.3% on the day but remained on track for a 3% weekly increase, supported by strong bank earnings. Singapore’s Straits Times Index fell 1%, while futures linked to India’s Nifty 50 were little changed.

    Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index declined 2% on Friday and was poised to finish the week flat, diverging from the broader regional trend. In mainland China, the CSI 300 slipped 0.5% and the Shanghai Composite fell 0.7%, though both were still set for modest weekly gains of around 1%.

    Investors were also looking ahead to upcoming U.S. consumer price index data for further guidance on the Federal Reserve’s rate outlook, after stronger-than-expected U.S. employment figures earlier in the week reduced expectations for near-term interest rate cuts.

    Sources: Ayushman Ojha

  • S&P 500: Technical Pressures Mount Behind a Composed Surface

    The S&P 500 climbed early in the session, gaining roughly 50–60 basis points at its intraday peak, but those advances faded as the volatility crush quickly ran out of steam. As mentioned previously, the 1-day VIX had closed at 13.6—levels that typically coincide with 50–60 basis-point moves when volatility compresses. However, the 1-day VIX opened near 9, steadily increased during the session, and finished around 12, making the volatility unwind even more short-lived than anticipated.

    More notably, subtle signs of stress are emerging beneath the surface. The VVIX—which tracks implied volatility of the VIX itself—moved higher, and the S&P 500 left-tail index also rose. While the index may appear calm on the surface, these indicators suggest that underlying volatility is building and becoming harder to ignore.

    Single-stock volatility, reflected by VIXEQ, remains unusually elevated compared with the headline VIX, which measures index-level volatility. The spread between the two sits near 21.5. Historically, when this gap widens to such levels, it has often preceded meaningful market pullbacks.

    Although the surface looks stable, significant shifts are occurring underneath, serving as a cautionary signal. As earnings season progresses, implied volatility for individual stocks should continue to ease, as is typical. If that happens, the spread is likely to compress. That normalization process may require the unwinding of positioning, which could trigger a sharp downside move. This risk has been a recurring theme in prior commentary.

    Meanwhile, several sectors appear technically stretched. The Materials ETF (XLB) now shows a weekly RSI of 77 and is trading above its upper weekly Bollinger Band—classic overbought signals that suggest near-term vulnerability.

    The Industrials ETF (XLI) is even more extended, trading above its upper monthly Bollinger Band with an RSI of 78.3. Historically, similar conditions—in 2007, 2013–2014, and 2018—have led to prolonged consolidation phases. When monthly momentum reaches these extremes, sustaining further upside typically becomes difficult without first easing overbought pressures.

    The complication is that Industrials, Materials, Staples (XLP), and Energy (XLE) have been key drivers of the equal-weight S&P 500 (RSP) outperforming the cap-weighted index. This rotation helps explain why the headline S&P 500 often appears relatively steady: leadership shifts from one group to another, offsetting weakness elsewhere. The large-cap “Mag 7” stocks alone are no longer carrying the market.

    One possible factor behind this dynamic is the growing influence of zero-DTE options and heavy trading in short-dated contracts. While definitive proof is lacking, the pattern suggests dealer hedging flows may be shaping price action around heavily concentrated strike levels.

    For instance, if substantial open interest exists at a strike like 6,950, positioning could effectively pin the index near that level. As a result, underlying sector rotation may occur to keep the index aligned with options pricing. This could drive increased dispersion beneath the surface, with individual sectors making larger moves even as the broader index appears relatively unchanged.

    Sources: Michael Kramer

  • GBP/USD Elliott Wave: The Cables Are Crossing Signals

    Executive Summary

    GBP/USD is hovering around the critical 1.3508 level, where competing Elliott Wave counts are in play. The bullish scenario remains intact above 1.3508, while a sustained move below this level would strengthen the bearish case. A significant directional move is expected once one count clearly takes control.

    On January 14, when GBP/USD was trading at 1.3428, we projected a modest pullback followed by a rally to kick off wave (iii). Price action has largely followed that script, although the drop from January 27 to February 6 was deeper than expected. This larger-than-anticipated decline opens the door to a possible revision in our wave interpretation.

    GBP/USD Elliott Wave Analysis

    We have been accurately tracking the broader GBP/USD structure, anticipating further upside. However, the sharper decline between January 27 and February 6 raises concerns that an alternative pattern may be unfolding. While no Elliott Wave rules have been violated, the structure now warrants closer scrutiny.

    Bullish Scenario

    The primary bullish view assumes wave (ii) завершed at 1.3339, near the upper boundary of our projected 1.3125–1.3333 reversal zone. Under this interpretation, wave ‘i’ of (iii) advanced to 1.3869 on January 27, and the subsequent decline into February 6 represents wave ‘ii’ of (iii).

    The complication lies in the size of this wave ‘ii’ pullback. At 360 pips, it is considerably larger than its higher-degree counterpart wave (ii), which measured only 147 pips. While this does not breach any Elliott Wave rules, it is unusual for a lower-degree correction to significantly exceed the size of its higher-degree equivalent.

    Typically, subwaves within an extended wave maintain proportions comparable to higher-degree waves. With this second wave nearly double the size, we must stay alert for an alternative count if GBP/USD continues to weaken.

    For the bullish case to remain valid, Cable needs to rebound swiftly and push above 1.39. A retest of the February 6 low at 1.3508 would serve as an early warning that the bullish interpretation may be losing credibility.

    Bearish Alternative Scenario

    Should GBP/USD break decisively below 1.3508, the bearish alternative would gain traction.

    Under this view, wave ‘2’ did not finish at the November low and remains in progress. The January 27 peak would represent wave ((b)) of 2, and the decline since then marks the early stages of wave ((c)) of 2. If this scenario unfolds, the pair could revisit the November support level near 1.3010.

    Bottom Line

    GBP/USD stands at a pivotal juncture, with both bullish and bearish Elliott Wave scenarios in contention. While the primary outlook favors a strong upward move, a continued slide toward 1.35 would shift focus toward the bearish alternative.

    Sources: Zorrays Junaid

  • US: NFP rebound reinforces expectations of a gradual recovery – Standard Chartered

    Standard Chartered analysts Steve Englander and Dan Pan note that the latest US Nonfarm Payrolls report delivered a stronger-than-expected rebound in hiring, with job growth accelerating and the unemployment rate declining.

    Although substantial downward benchmark revisions were made to prior data, they believe the latest figures signal a gradual labour-market recovery extending into 2025 and 2026.

    NFP strength suggests continued stabilization

    The January employment report surprised to the upside, exceeding nearly all forecasts and indicating renewed momentum in the labour market.

    Faster job creation, a lower unemployment rate, and a rise in the employment-to-population ratio all point to improving labour conditions toward late 2025 and into 2026, despite significant downward revisions to historical data.

    While health care and social assistance remained the primary contributors to job growth, other sectors are beginning to show early signs of recovery.

    That said, uncertainties remain regarding the durability of this improvement. The analysts caution that one month of stronger data is not enough to eliminate broader labour-market concerns, particularly amid weak sentiment indicators and potential disruptions related to artificial intelligence.

    Sources: Fxstreet

  • Forex Today: Strong US employment figures help the USD regain stability

    The US Dollar (USD) remains firm against major peers in the latter part of the week, supported by stronger-than-expected January labor market data. On Thursday, market participants will focus on weekly Initial Jobless Claims and January Existing Home Sales figures from the US economic calendar.

    According to data released Wednesday by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Nonfarm Payrolls increased by 130,000 in January, following December’s upwardly revised gain of 48,000 (from 50,000) and surpassing market forecasts of 70,000. The report also showed the Unemployment Rate easing to 4.3% from 4.4%, while the Labor Force Participation Rate edged up to 62.5% from 62.4%. In response, the USD Index strengthened, climbing toward the 97.30 area. Early Thursday, the index enters a consolidation phase, moving sideways near 97. Meanwhile, US equity futures advance between 0.2% and 0.3%, reflecting an improved risk appetite.

    In the UK, data released Thursday indicated that the economy expanded by 0.1% quarter-over-quarter in the three months to December 2025, matching Q3 growth. On an annual basis, GDP rose 1.0% in Q4, below the expected 1.2% and down from the prior quarter’s revised 1.2% (previously 1.3%). Additionally, December Industrial Production and Manufacturing Output declined by 0.9% and 0.5% month-over-month, respectively, both falling short of forecasts. GBP/USD showed little immediate reaction, trading flat near 1.3630.

    EUR/USD trades sideways around 1.1870 after ending Wednesday in negative territory. Several European Central Bank (ECB) officials are scheduled to speak later in the day.

    USD/JPY continued its weekly decline despite overall USD strength, marking its third consecutive daily loss on Wednesday. The pair extends its drop early Thursday, trading at a two-week low below 153.00.

    In Australia, RBA Assistant Governor Sarah Hunter stated Thursday that she expects labor market conditions to remain tight and inflation to stay above target for an extended period. She added that capacity constraints in the economy and labor market will be closely monitored. AUD/USD surged over 0.7% on Wednesday, reaching a fresh three-year high near 0.7150. Although the pair is correcting lower on Thursday, it remains comfortably above 0.7100 in European trading.

    Gold struggles to build further upside momentum but holds above the $5,000 level after posting moderate gains the previous session.

    Sources: Eren Sengezer

  • Brent crude rises as geopolitical tensions support oil prices – Deutsche Bank

    Deutsche Bank analysts highlight that Brent crude has continued to climb as investors respond to escalating geopolitical tensions involving Iran, along with new remarks from President Trump following his meeting with Israel’s Prime Minister.

    According to the bank, speculation over a possible US military strike on Iran, combined with ongoing diplomatic talks, is helping to underpin oil prices, pushing both Brent and WTI higher.

    Iran-related risk premium lifts Brent

    Regarding recent developments, President Trump met Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu at the White House yesterday, stating that he had “urged that negotiations with Iran proceed to determine whether a deal can ultimately be reached.”

    He later wrote on social media that “Previously, Iran chose not to make a deal and faced Midnight Hammer — which did not turn out well for them. Hopefully, this time they act more reasonably and responsibly.”

    By the end of the session, Brent crude had risen 0.87% to $69.40 per barrel, and it gained a further 0.25% this morning to reach $69.57 per barrel.

    Sources: Fxstreet

  • Gold and silver prices edged lower after robust payroll data reduced expectations for interest rate cuts.

    Gold and silver prices declined during Asian trading on Thursday after stronger-than-expected U.S. payrolls data dampened expectations for deeper Federal Reserve rate cuts, though losses were cushioned by ongoing safe-haven demand.

    Precious metals largely held onto this week’s gains, supported by continued dollar weakness and elevated tensions between the U.S. and Iran, which kept demand for safe assets intact.

    Spot gold dropped 0.7% to $5,051.26 per ounce, while April gold futures slipped 0.5% to $5,072.04/oz as of 01:36 ET (06:36 GMT). Spot silver fell 1.3% to $83.2505/oz, and platinum declined 1.6% to $2,107.30/oz.

    Gold pressured as dollar rebounds on solid payrolls data

    Gold came under pressure after January’s U.S. nonfarm payrolls report, released Wednesday, exceeded expectations. The stronger labor market reading reduced bets that slowing employment would prompt additional rate cuts from the Fed.

    According to CME FedWatch, markets are now assigning a 94.1% probability that the Fed will keep rates unchanged in March, and a 78% chance of no change in April.

    The upbeat data also triggered a rebound in the U.S. dollar overnight, weighing on metal prices. However, the dollar stabilized in Asian trade and remains slightly lower for the week, partly due to strength in the Japanese yen.

    OCBC analysts noted that a sustained dollar recovery would require further evidence of resilience in the U.S. economy — a scenario that could still offer some support to gold.

    “Structural headwinds — including uncertainty around Fed leadership succession and broader U.S. policy risks — suggest the dollar will need additional upside data surprises to maintain any rebound,” OCBC analysts said.

    Even so, precious metals remained volatile after sharp swings over the past week amid heightened uncertainty surrounding U.S. monetary policy.

    U.S. inflation data and Iran tensions in focus

    Investors are awaiting further signals on the U.S. economy, particularly January consumer price index data due Friday. Inflation and labor market conditions remain the Fed’s primary considerations for rate decisions. Weekly jobless claims figures are also scheduled for release later Thursday.

    Safe-haven demand continued to lend support to metals amid ongoing U.S.–Iran tensions. Although both sides reported some progress in nuclear talks over the weekend, Washington was reportedly preparing to send a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East.

    President Donald Trump also urged Tehran to accept a deal with Washington and met Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday, underscoring persistent geopolitical risks.

    Sources: Ambar Warrick

  • Bitcoin steady near $67K after strong U.S. jobs data; CPI in focus.

    Bitcoin hovered around $67,000 during Thursday’s Asian session, showing little movement as investors weighed stronger-than-expected U.S. jobs data that reduced hopes for an imminent Federal Reserve rate cut. The leading cryptocurrency edged up 0.4% to $67,102.8 but remained below the crucial $70,000 threshold, with trading subdued amid thinner liquidity conditions.

    After bouncing back from a steep drop toward $60,000 earlier this month, Bitcoin has struggled to rebuild bullish momentum.

    Robust U.S. jobs data tempers rate-cut expectations; CPI in focus

    Figures released Wednesday showed U.S. nonfarm payrolls rose more than anticipated in January, highlighting ongoing strength in the labor market. The unemployment rate stayed near multi-month lows, and wage growth remained solid—reinforcing expectations that the Fed may keep interest rates elevated for longer.

    In response, traders scaled back bets on a near-term rate cut, with market pricing now suggesting lower chances of easing before June. Prolonged higher rates tend to pressure risk-sensitive assets like cryptocurrencies.

    Market participants are now looking ahead to weekly jobless claims data due later Thursday for additional insight into labor conditions. Friday’s U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) report will also be closely watched for signals on inflation and the Fed’s policy path.

    Bitcoin’s continued failure to break above $70,000 underscores cautious sentiment and lingering volatility following its recent decline, keeping prices largely range-bound.

    BlockFills suspends withdrawals amid crypto downturn – reports

    Crypto liquidity provider BlockFills has reportedly paused client withdrawals amid a sharp downturn in digital asset prices, according to multiple media outlets on Wednesday.

    The Financial Times and other sources said the suspension, which began last week, aims to safeguard both clients and the company during turbulent market conditions while restoring liquidity on the platform.

    Clients are reportedly still able to trade spot and derivatives under certain restrictions.

    BlockFills serves over 2,000 institutional clients and processed more than $60 billion in trading volume in 2025, the FT noted. The move echoes similar steps taken by crypto firms during previous market slumps.

    Crypto prices today: Altcoins edge higher in sideways trade

    Most major altcoins posted modest gains Thursday amid range-bound trading.

    Ethereum, the second-largest cryptocurrency, rose 1.1% to $1,972.92, while XRP gained 1.6% to $1.38. Solana traded flat, whereas Cardano and Polygon each climbed 2.5%. Among meme coins, Dogecoin advanced 2.2%.

    Sources: Ayushman Ojha

  • Asian stocks surged, with the KOSPI at a record high and the Nikkei above 58,000, as markets awaited U.S. jobs data.

    Most Asian equities advanced on Thursday, led by a record-breaking surge in South Korea, where chip stocks powered gains. Japanese shares were mostly steady after earlier climbing to a new all-time high above 58,000, supported by optimism surrounding the so-called “Takaichi trade.”

    Regional upside was limited, however, after stronger-than-expected U.S. employment data underscored the resilience of the labor market. While the figures eased worries about the health of the world’s largest economy, they also reduced expectations for near-term interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve.

    On Wall Street, major indexes finished largely unchanged overnight, with futures trading flat during Asian hours.

    KOSPI sets record as Samsung rallies on AI momentum

    In Seoul, the KOSPI surged nearly 3% to a historic high of 5,515.8, extending gains fueled by robust demand for AI-related semiconductors.

    Samsung Electronics jumped more than 6% to record levels after a senior executive emphasized the firm’s technological leadership in next-generation HBM4 (high-bandwidth memory) chips. The comments boosted confidence in Samsung’s production plans and its competitive positioning in advanced AI memory markets.

    Investors are increasingly viewing HBM4 as a key driver of the next phase of AI hardware expansion, supporting profit margins and earnings visibility.

    SK Hynix also rose 3.5%, buoyed by expectations of sustained demand for high-end memory chips used in AI servers.

    Nikkei surpasses 58,000 milestone

    Japan’s Nikkei 225 briefly broke above the 58,000 mark for the first time, hitting a new record before trimming gains to trade flat. The broader TOPIX index climbed 1.5% to a fresh all-time high of 3,888.94.

    The rally has been partly linked to optimism over Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s election win. Investors have responded positively to her pro-growth agenda, which includes backing domestic industries, increasing defense spending, and maintaining supportive financial conditions—policies seen as favorable for exporters and cyclical sectors.

    Strong U.S. jobs data tempers Fed cut expectations

    U.S. data released Wednesday showed nonfarm payrolls increased by 130,000 in January, well above forecasts, while the unemployment rate unexpectedly dipped to 4.3% from 4.4%. The figures highlighted ongoing strength in the labor market.

    Although the report eased fears of an economic slowdown, it also dampened hopes for imminent Federal Reserve rate reductions.

    Elsewhere in Asia-Pacific, Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 gained 0.5% and Singapore’s FTSE Straits Times rose 0.7%. China’s CSI 300 and Shanghai Composite were mostly unchanged, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng fell more than 1%, diverging from regional trends. India’s Nifty 50 futures edged up 0.1%.

    Sources: Ayushman Ojha

  • What’s Next for Sysco (NYSE: SYY)? Assessing the Impact of the Whistleblower Ruling and Continued Margin Pressure on the Stock

    Short Trade Setup

    Consider initiating a short position between $84.57 (the lower boundary of the horizontal support range) and $87.35 (the upper boundary of that support zone).

    Market Index Overview

    Sysco Corporation (SYY) is a constituent of the S&P 500 Index.

    While the index is trading near record highs, declining trading volume raises concerns about the sustainability of the rally. The Bull Bear Power Indicator has turned positive but remains below its downward-sloping trendline, suggesting that bullish momentum lacks full confirmation.

    Market Sentiment

    Equity futures are edging lower after the Dow Jones Industrial Average posted another all-time high, with the S&P 500 closing in on a record level of its own.

    Retail sales data may introduce short-term volatility today, though the primary macro catalyst this week is tomorrow’s January Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP) report. Investors are also watching Coca-Cola’s earnings and price swings in gold, silver, and Bitcoin.

    Despite a recent two-day rebound, technology stocks face renewed downside risks as rising memory costs pressure margins. Meanwhile, Alphabet is reportedly planning to issue its first 100-year bond since the dot-com era.

    Fundamental Analysis of Sysco Corporation

    Sysco is the world’s largest foodservice distributor, serving more than 700,000 customers through 340 distribution centers across ten countries.

    Why Bearish After a 22%+ Rally?

    Despite its strong rally, several factors support a cautious outlook:

    • The $52 million whistleblower ruling, while not materially damaging on its own, adds headline risk.
    • Continued margin compression reinforces broader profitability concerns.
    • The latest earnings report lacked strong positive catalysts.
    • Insider selling has increased in recent weeks.
    • The stock is trading near the consensus analyst price target, limiting apparent upside.
    • Elevated debt levels and negative free cash flow raise financial concerns within a structurally low-margin distribution business.
    • Signs of market saturation may restrict organic growth potential.

    Taken together, these factors suggest limited upside and increasing downside risk at current levels.

    Sysco’s price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 23.31 suggests the stock is relatively inexpensive. In comparison, the S&P 500 trades at a higher P/E multiple of 29.90.

    Meanwhile, the average analyst price target of $89.94 implies limited upside from current levels, while downside risks appear to be increasing.

    Sysco Corporation Technical Analysis

    Today’s SYY Signal

    The daily (D1) chart for SYY shows the formation of a new horizontal resistance area. Price is currently trading between the 0.0% and 38.2% levels of the ascending Fibonacci Retracement Fan.

    The Bull Bear Power Indicator remains in bullish territory but is displaying a negative divergence, signaling weakening upside momentum. Additionally, average bearish volume exceeds average bullish volume, suggesting stronger selling pressure.

    Although SYY has moved higher alongside the S&P 500 — typically a positive confirmation — bearish signals are beginning to build.

    SYY Short Trade Setup

    • Entry Zone: $84.57 – $87.35
    • Take-Profit Target: $71.23 – $73.67
    • Stop-Loss Range: $89.94 – $91.74
    • Risk-to-Reward Ratio: 2.48

    Sources: Adam

  • S&P 500 Analysis: Record Highs Amid Cautious Optimism and Active Buying

    Despite ongoing noise around elevated valuations, rapid price swings, and a general sense of unease surrounding major U.S. equity indices, the S&P 500 continues to hover near record territory. Futures have edged higher again this morning, with the index trading around the 6,979.50 level.

    Early last Friday, the S&P 500 dipped toward the 6,738.00 area, marking its lowest point since mid-December. However, a swift rebound restored upside momentum, pushing the index back within striking distance of all-time highs. The 7,000.00 mark remains a powerful psychological milestone for investors and short-term traders alike, especially those closely monitoring daily price action.

    The 7,000 Milestone in a Cautious Environment

    Although the S&P 500 typically moves less aggressively than the Nasdaq 100, it remains a popular vehicle for speculative positioning, particularly among retail traders using CFDs. Recent weeks have brought heightened volatility, yet the index has consistently stayed near the 7,000.00 threshold—a level it briefly surpassed in late January and early February.

    Still, maintaining sustained breakouts has proven challenging. For bullish conviction to strengthen, traders may look for a decisive and lasting move above 7,000.00. Until such confirmation materializes, choppy and range-bound conditions are likely to persist—especially with key economic releases on deck, including Retail Sales, employment data, and Friday’s Consumer Price Index report.

    Short-Term Positioning Amid Lingering Caution

    While it may seem contradictory to speak of nervousness with the index near record highs, institutional sentiment appears notably guarded. This caution could serve as a defensive posture in case markets experience renewed downside volatility, similar to the sharp pullbacks seen in recent weeks.

    Although the S&P 500’s ability to test upper-tier levels is encouraging, persistent headwinds have so far prevented a confident breakout into fresh territory. A series of strong U.S. economic readings may be needed to fuel a sustained advance. Whether that catalyst emerges remains to be seen.

    S&P 500 Short-Term Outlook:

    • Current Resistance: 6,982.00
    • Current Support: 6,972.00
    • Upside Target: 7,015.00
    • Downside Target: 6,957.00

    Sources: Robert

  • Gold capped as risk appetite offsets softer USD before NFP

    • Gold rebounds and trims some of the modest losses recorded in the previous session.
    • Ongoing weakness in the US Dollar, driven by expectations surrounding the Federal Reserve, continues to support the metal.
    • However, positive market sentiment could limit further gains as investors wait for the upcoming US Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP) report.

    Gold (XAU/USD) maintains modest intraday gains above the $5,050 mark as it heads into Wednesday’s European session. Expectations of additional interest rate cuts by the US Federal Reserve (Fed) have pushed the US Dollar (USD) to a near two-week low, providing support for the non-yielding precious metal. However, prevailing risk-on sentiment could limit further upside for the safe-haven asset. Traders may also prefer to stay on the sidelines ahead of the US Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP) report before committing to fresh bullish positions.

    On Tuesday, the US Census Bureau reported that Retail Sales were flat in December, following a 0.6% increase in November and falling short of the 0.4% growth forecast. Combined with signs of cooling in the US labor market, the data has led economists to lower their fourth-quarter growth projections, reinforcing expectations of further Fed rate cuts. Money markets are currently pricing in around 58 basis points of easing in 2026, a factor that continues to weigh on the Greenback.

    At the same time, worries over the Federal Reserve’s independence resurfaced after US President Donald Trump stated on Saturday that he could take legal action against his newly nominated Fed Chair, Kevin Warsh, if interest rates were not reduced. Adding to the debate, Fed Governor Stephan Miran remarked that complete central bank independence is unattainable. These developments overshadowed hawkish remarks from regional Fed Presidents Lorie Logan and Beth Hammack and offered little support to the US Dollar. As a result, Gold appears to retain a favorable upward bias.

    Dallas Fed President Lorie Logan noted that the labor market is stabilizing and downside risks are fading, while inflation has remained above the 2% target for nearly five years. She added that current monetary policy may be close to neutral, exerting limited restraint on the economy. Similarly, Cleveland Fed President Beth Hammack said the policy rate is near neutral territory, putting the Fed in a strong position to assess incoming data. Hammack also suggested that rates could remain unchanged “for quite some time,” given persistently elevated inflation and ongoing tariff-related uncertainties.

    Despite this supportive backdrop, XAU/USD bulls appear cautious and may prefer to await the US monthly employment report for clearer signals on the Fed’s policy path. The outcome will likely shape near-term US Dollar movements and provide fresh direction for Gold. Meanwhile, improved risk sentiment and indications of easing tensions in the Middle East could temper demand for the safe-haven metal. Therefore, waiting for solid follow-through buying may be prudent before anticipating further gains.

    Gold must break above the $5,090 resistance area to reinforce the outlook for further upside.

    From a technical standpoint, XAU/USD demonstrated resilience below the 200-period Simple Moving Average (SMA) on the 4-hour chart earlier this month. The SMA continues to slope upward and remains comfortably beneath the current price, reinforcing the broader bullish bias. As long as the pair holds above this level, the overall trajectory remains skewed to the upside.

    That said, momentum indicators point to some consolidation. The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) remains above the Signal line and in positive territory, though the narrowing histogram indicates waning upward momentum. Meanwhile, the Relative Strength Index (RSI) hovers around 56, reflecting neutral-to-slightly bullish conditions and supporting a consolidative outlook. This suggests it may be wise to wait for a decisive move above the $5,090 resistance level before targeting additional gains.

    A continued contraction in the MACD histogram could signal a pause or range-bound trading, whereas a renewed expansion would indicate a resurgence in bullish momentum. Additionally, with the RSI holding above 50, the underlying bias remains constructive; a climb toward 60 would further strengthen upside prospects. Overall, the technical setup favors buying on modest pullbacks while momentum stabilizes.

    Sources: Haresh Menghani

  • USD: Concerns over Fed independence limit reaction to jobs data – Commerzbank

    Commerzbank’s Antje Praefcke suggests that the delayed January U.S. jobs report is unlikely to significantly move the Dollar, with Nonfarm Payrolls projected at about 70,000 and the unemployment rate holding at 4.4%. She notes that investors are likely to pay closer attention to the outlook for Federal Reserve policy under Kevin Warsh and to ongoing concerns about the Fed’s independence, which she views as the main medium-term risk facing the Dollar.

    Employment report takes a back seat to Fed-related risks

    “I’m not convinced this will trigger any significant moves in the US dollar, for two reasons.”

    “In that context, a reading of roughly 70,000 – or even 60,000 – should not unsettle markets, as it would still point to a labor market that is softening but not collapsing. As such, there is little justification for making substantial changes to interest rate expectations tied to the Fed’s employment mandate.”

    “While key data releases will likely continue to drive short-term swings in the dollar, the overriding issue remains the Fed’s independence, which is effectively the sword of Damocles hanging over the currency.”

    “Ultimately, the future independence of the Fed is the central question and the greatest risk for the greenback. Clarity on this matter is unlikely before spring.”

    Sources: Fxstreet

  • US House defeats bid to block challenges to Trump tariffs.

    The U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday narrowly defeated a push by Republican leaders to prevent lawmakers from challenging President Donald Trump’s tariffs, voting 217-214. The outcome could allow Democrats to move forward with efforts to overturn the trade measures.

    Three Republicans sided with all 214 Democrats in opposing the proposal, which sought to bar any tariff-related challenges until July 31. The restriction had been folded into a procedural resolution meant to advance debate on three separate, unrelated bills.

    The setback marks a notable blow to House Speaker Mike Johnson, who oversees a razor-thin 218-214 Republican majority, leaving virtually no margin for dissent on party-line votes. With Democrats united in opposition, Johnson can afford to lose no more than one Republican on any given measure.

    In the wake of the vote, Democrats could push for a House vote as soon as Wednesday to end Trump’s reliance on a national security emergency declaration to justify tariffs on Canada and other key U.S. allies. They have also drafted additional resolutions aimed at blocking tariffs on Mexico and several other nations.

    Republicans had enforced procedural rules since March of last year to shield the tariffs from legislative challenges, extending them through January. However, the latest extension lapsed amid internal GOP resistance, as some members raised concerns about the economic burden on American households and businesses reliant on global trade.

    The vote came as Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson signaled that the Court will need additional time to rule on the legality of Trump’s tariff policies.

    Sources: Investing

  • Gold appears poised to climb further as growing fiat currency risks and geopolitical tensions intensify.

    The author argues that fiat currency is increasingly unstable due to excessive government debt and geopolitical tensions, while gold represents enduring monetary strength. Historically, there have been only four major rallies in fiat currencies over the past 50 years, each weaker than the last, suggesting a long-term decline in confidence.

    Concerns are growing as the U.S. continues expanding debt while using its currency as a geopolitical tool, prompting individuals and institutions to shift toward gold. Although some investors missed earlier buying opportunities around $4,400, the current ascending triangle pattern on gold’s chart suggests further upside potential, with a projected target near $5,900.

    U.S. stock valuations are extremely elevated, while government deficit spending relative to GDP is already at levels typically seen during severe crises. If deficits remain this high during strong markets and under an administration that claims fiscal discipline, the concern is that a future crisis—combined with less restraint—could drive the deficit-to-GDP ratio even higher.

    In short, individuals should prepare not only for a potential U.S. recession but possibly a stagflationary downturn, with the suggested strategy being to strengthen personal savings through holdings in gold and silver.

    On the geopolitical front, rising tensions are viewed as supportive for gold. One concern is the idea of pressuring Taiwan to shift advanced semiconductor production to the U.S., potentially through heavy tariffs on Taiwanese-made chips. Such actions could increase inflation and strain U.S.–Taiwan relations, possibly reshaping regional dynamics with China. Overall, the situation appears increasingly unstable—conditions that historically tend to benefit gold as a safe-haven asset.

    In Cuba, worsening economic conditions—such as public transportation disruptions—reflect deeper structural problems, with little sign of meaningful reform. If instability escalates, it could increase global uncertainty, a backdrop that typically supports higher gold prices.

    The US government’s disturbing plot to elevate election denier, admirer of torture, and destroyer of civic life Delcy Rodríguez has already taken another troubling turn. This nightmare is just one of many geopolitical mechanisms propping up gold interests.
    Could it get even more absurd? In theory, yes — if María Corina Machado were arrested next. Would President Trump then flaunt a Nobel Prize she once held to his followers obsessed with fiat currency and oil, while she languished in prison under Rodríguez’s brutal treatment?

    In such a scenario, Venezuela could spiral into civil war, with chaos on a scale that might rival what we’re seeing in Iran.

    So, do you have any gold?

    What about silver? Silver also looks very strong. A glance at the chart highlights the 14,7,7 Stochastics oscillator at the bottom.

    It has moved into the buy zone — only the third time this has happened since August. A rally back toward the $122 highs appears entirely achievable.

    Silver reached solid support near $70 just as gold touched $4,400. I encouraged investors to anchor their purchases to gold’s powerful technical performance. Those who stepped in at that point are being rewarded, with silver already climbing back above $80 this morning — and the opportunity may still not be gone for those considering entry.

    And the miners? Take a look at the daily CDNX “Jump in the Pool” chart. The Stochastics indicator is signaling strong momentum, and even if prices retreat toward support around 825, that would likely present another attractive buying opportunity.

    The long-term chart looks remarkable. A massive inverse head-and-shoulders pattern appears to be forming. Notice the blue circle on the left side of the chart — a pause around the neckline area now would simply enhance the symmetry between the right and left sides. For enthusiastic junior mining stock investors, the outlook suggests the potential for years of rising prices ahead.

    What about the senior miners — are they worth buying as well? Looking at the long-term GDX versus gold chart, a large inverse head-and-shoulders pattern is taking shape. The formation closely mirrors what’s developing on the CDNX versus fiat chart.

    A glance at the daily chart suggests there may be some consolidation over the next couple of weeks. However, Stochastics has returned to levels last seen in November. Considering the alarming deficit-to-GDP dynamics, ongoing geopolitical turmoil, and the shifting global power landscape, I’d argue that senior gold stock investors worldwide should be ready to step up and take action.

    Sources: Stewart Thomson

  • A crash and recession can be bullish, not bearish.

    One of the strangest modern myths about capitalism is the belief that markets and the economy should always rise, and that any decline signals failure requiring intervention. In reality, true capitalism depends on periodic crashes and recessions to clear excess debt, leverage, and speculation. Without these corrections, the system cannot function properly.

    Arguments that markets must always go up—such as constant sector rotation, the idea that the economy can’t survive downturns, or faith in the Federal Reserve’s ability to permanently prevent declines—ignore how dynamic systems work. Human emotions like greed and fear naturally create cycles of boom and bust, leading to excesses that must eventually be reset.

    If downturns are continuously suppressed through stimulus and bailouts, the system becomes fragile and detached from reality. Like forests that need small fires to prevent catastrophic infernos, markets need corrections to clear imbalances. Though crashes feel devastating, they ultimately strengthen the system by allowing it to reset and grow sustainably.

    This broken, self-defeating mindset sees the healthy reset as a threat and responds by doubling down on the very policies that weakened the system—just to preserve the illusion that capitalism means markets must always rise.

    This isn’t capitalism — it’s systemic model collapse paving the way for an unavoidable meltdown.

    Sources: Charles Hugh Smith

  • Yield Curve Control and the Conclusion of the Treasury Inversion

    It has become increasingly clear that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent favored Kevin Warsh for the role. Warsh has advocated for tighter coordination between the Federal Reserve and the Treasury Department, particularly in managing the yield curve and conducting open market operations. The Treasury yield curve is currently at its steepest level in four years, suggesting that Bessent has been effective in resolving the inversion that occurred under his predecessor, Janet Yellen. If Warsh is confirmed as the next Fed Chair, Bessent’s influence is likely to grow further—an important factor if the Fed aims to reduce interest rates.

    According to the Financial Times, some economists question Warsh’s belief that artificial intelligence will have a deflationary effect. Warsh argues that AI will spark “the most productivity-enhancing wave of our lifetimes—past, present and future,” boosting output and allowing the Fed to lower key rates without fueling inflation. Such remarks are expected to draw significant attention during his Senate confirmation hearing.

    On Tuesday, the Commerce Department reported that retail sales were flat in December. However, November’s figures were revised upward to a 0.6% increase, up from the previously reported 0.3%. Economists had anticipated a 0.4% rise in December, making the latest data disappointing. Because of the federal government shutdown, the report was released a month late, and the substantial upward revision to November’s data has somewhat diminished the report’s impact. Following the release, Treasury yields fell, increasing the likelihood of another Fed rate cut.

    Meanwhile, after a month-long pursuit, the U.S. Navy seized its eighth Venezuelan crude oil tanker in the Indian Ocean. The vessel, Aquila II, had attempted to bypass the U.S. blockade. The Navy’s intensified crackdown on so-called “shadow tankers” is expected to worry countries like Iran and Russia, which have also relied on similar methods to transport oil despite sanctions.

    In diplomatic developments, U.S. and Iranian officials met in Oman to discuss dismantling Iran’s nuclear program. Washington is pressing Tehran to halt uranium enrichment, limit its ballistic missile program, and end support for regional proxy groups. Iran, however, has stated it is only willing to negotiate over its nuclear activities. If talks collapse, the U.S. could carry out another military strike, which explains its significant naval buildup in the region. Notably, Iran seized two oil tankers before the negotiations but later described the discussions as “positive.”

    Sources: Louis Navellier

  • Gold, silver climb on soft U.S. data; payrolls awaited.

    Gold and silver edged higher in early Asian trading Wednesday after weak U.S. retail sales fueled expectations of a slowing economy, with investors awaiting payrolls data for clearer direction.

    Despite the gains, precious metals remained volatile after retreating from record highs in late January, and have struggled to rebound. A softer dollar and weak U.S. data provided only modest support, while Middle East tensions sustained some safe-haven demand.

    Spot gold rose 0.3% to $5,038.21 an ounce and April futures gained 0.6% to $5,061.45, still roughly $600 below recent peaks. Spot silver climbed 0.9% to $81.5135, and platinum added 0.9% to $2,105.86.

    Metals rise following weak U.S. retail sales data.

    Precious metals posted modest losses on Tuesday before rebounding Wednesday after December U.S. retail sales came in weaker than expected.

    The softer data signaled cooling consumer spending amid persistent inflation and labor market pressures, raising concerns about the economic outlook. Expectations that the Federal Reserve may cut interest rates further this year weighed on Treasury yields and kept the dollar subdued, lending support to metal prices.

    Investors are now focused on the upcoming nonfarm payrolls report for clearer signals on the economy. Signs of continued labor market weakness could strengthen bets on rate cuts, which typically favor non-yielding assets like gold.

    However, uncertainty over U.S. monetary policy persists, particularly after President Donald Trump nominated Kevin Warsh as the next Fed chair. Warsh is seen as less dovish, a perception that has pressured metal markets since late January.

    Sources: Ambar Warrick

  • Oil rises on U.S.-Iran tensions, China demand eyed.

    Oil prices advanced in Asian trading on Wednesday as investors monitored developments in U.S.-Iran relations and looked ahead to travel demand during an upcoming major holiday in China.

    Crude rebounded from part of the previous session’s losses, supported by a softer U.S. dollar ahead of key economic data releases.

    By 21:04 ET (02:04 GMT), April Brent futures climbed 0.6% to $69.18 a barrel, while WTI crude futures also gained 0.6% to $64.19 a barrel.

    Oil prices rise amid US-Iran tensions over potential supply disruptions.

    On Tuesday, Iranian officials stated that recent nuclear discussions with the United States helped Tehran assess Washington’s intentions, adding that diplomatic engagement between the two nations would continue.

    The remarks followed talks held last week regarding Iran’s nuclear program, which came after U.S. President Donald Trump sent several warships to the Middle East.

    Although both sides indicated some progress from their weekend negotiations, attention shifted after the U.S. issued a maritime warning for vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

    Media reports also suggested that Trump was weighing the deployment of a second aircraft carrier near Iran—a step that could significantly heighten regional tensions.

    Amid the uncertainty, oil markets incorporated a risk premium, as traders grew concerned that potential military action might disrupt Iranian oil supplies.

    China’s Lunar New Year travel surge draws attention as CPI data falls short of expectations.

    Oil prices found some support on expectations of stronger Chinese fuel consumption during the upcoming Lunar New Year holiday.

    This year’s Lunar New Year, marking the Year of the Horse in the Chinese zodiac, falls on February 17 and will be observed with an extended nine-day public holiday from February 15 to 23.

    The festive period typically drives higher consumer spending in China, particularly in travel. Authorities project a record 9.5 billion passenger journeys during the spring holiday travel rush.

    International travel is set to include several favored destinations across Southeast Asia, though flights to Japan have reportedly declined sharply amid escalating diplomatic tensions between Beijing and Tokyo.

    Meanwhile, recent economic data signaled that deflationary pressures persist in China, as consumer price index figures came in below expectations and producer prices continued to contract.

    Sources: Ambar Warrick

  • U.S. stock futures edged up as investors awaited the postponed employment report.

    U.S. equity futures moved slightly higher Tuesday night following a modest decline in the regular trading session, as investors assessed softer retail sales figures and looked ahead to a series of postponed U.S. economic reports due later in the week.

    By 20:11 ET (01:11 GMT), S&P 500 futures rose 0.2% to 6,978.25, Nasdaq 100 futures advanced 0.3% to 25,291.75, and Dow Jones futures added 0.2% to 50,385.0.

    Wall Street declined ahead of the upcoming jobs report, while the Dow posted a fresh record closing high.

    During Tuesday’s regular session, the S&P 500 declined 0.3% and the Nasdaq Composite dropped 0.6%, pressured by losses in technology and other growth-oriented stocks.

    In contrast, the Dow Jones Industrial Average managed a slight advance, closing above the 50,000 mark at a new record high for the third consecutive session.

    Earlier, investors reacted to U.S. retail sales figures showing flat monthly consumer spending, missing expectations. The softer data fueled worries that elevated borrowing costs may be starting to curb household demand, despite broader signs of economic resilience. This strengthened expectations that the Federal Reserve could move toward rate cuts later this year if growth continues to ease.

    Attention now shifts to the delayed monthly employment report, set for release Wednesday following the recent government shutdown. The data will offer the first detailed snapshot of labor market conditions in weeks, as policymakers monitor for indications of cooling.

    Markets are also awaiting the postponed U.S. consumer price index report on Friday, which could play a pivotal role in shaping near-term market sentiment.

    Robinhood and Lyft slide in after-hours trading.

    In company-specific developments, Robinhood Markets (NASDAQ: HOOD) fell 7.5% in after-hours trading after posting earnings that came in below expectations, as weaker-than-anticipated revenue and user figures pressured the stock.

    Shares of Lyft (NASDAQ: LYFT) plunged more than 17% in extended trading after the ride-hailing firm reported results that missed forecasts, further weighing on consumer-focused tech stocks.

    Meanwhile, Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) delivered quarterly earnings that fell short of Wall Street estimates, citing costs related to its electric vehicle operations and ongoing supply chain challenges. Despite the miss, the automaker projected improved earnings in 2026. Ford shares rose 0.5% in after-hours trading.

    Sources: Ayushman Ojha

  • Domestic stocks could outperform as globalization pulls back and growth becomes more home-focused.

    Last week, I attended the 2026 Harvard Presidents’ Seminar with leading executives and thinkers, where Ambassador Kevin Rudd, former Australian prime minister, stood out. He warned that the post–World War II rules-based global order is likely fading, giving way to a more 19th-century style world defined by power politics and spheres of influence. Rudd, a realist rather than an alarmist, argued that a strong U.S. remains essential for global stability, while a weakened U.S. risks creating power vacuums that China and Russia are ready to exploit.

    A Fracturing Global Order?

    For roughly eight decades after World War II, the United States played a central role in shaping the global order—promoting open markets, free trade, democratic expansion, and the U.S. dollar as the world’s reserve currency—underpinning a period of relative stability.

    According to Rudd, that chapter may now be closing. Democratic governance is weakening worldwide, while the number of armed conflicts has climbed to its highest level since World War II.

    China and Russia are making their ambitions increasingly explicit. Just last week, Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin reaffirmed their deepening partnership, pledging mutual support across economic, military, and ideological fronts. With the New START treaty expiring this month, the final pillar of nuclear arms control between the United States and Russia has now fallen away.

    Redrawing the Global Playbook

    Rudd, who has written two major books on Xi Jinping, cautioned that China’s current leader is far from a pragmatist in the mold of Deng Xiaoping, whose market-oriented reforms in the 1970s set China on its path to global prominence. Instead, Xi is best understood as a Marxist-Leninist nationalist.

    Under his leadership, China has moved beyond simply operating within existing global rules to actively reshaping them. The Chinese Communist Party is pursuing an all-encompassing strategy that spans nearly every sphere—military modernization, industrial leadership, energy self-sufficiency, and more. As I noted back in October, I see China’s expansive Belt and Road Initiative as a Trojan horse.

    For Xi’s government, economic strength and national security are inseparable, a reality most evident in its approach to energy and technology.

    China’s Sweeping Energy Expansion

    As the U.S. continues to oscillate on energy policy, China has been pressing ahead at full speed. Since 2021, it has added more power-generating capacity than the United States has built over its entire 250-year history—an astonishing feat achieved in just four years.

    In 2025 alone, China brought online 543 gigawatts of new capacity across solar, wind, coal, nuclear, and gas. Looking ahead, BloombergNEF projects an additional 3.4 terawatts over the next five years—nearly six times what the U.S. is expected to add. The objective is clear: to ensure that China’s next wave of industries, including AI, robotics, and advanced manufacturing, is never constrained by energy shortages.

    Clean Energy Emerges as the Next Growth Engine

    As I’ve noted before, both Elon Musk and NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang have warned that China’s enormous power surplus could give it a decisive edge in AI computing—and the data backs that up.

    In 2025, clean energy accounted for more than a third of China’s GDP growth and over 90% of new investment. Industries such as solar, electric vehicles, and battery technology generated more than $2.1 trillion in economic output, roughly on par with the GDP of Canada or Brazil. Viewed on its own, China’s clean energy sector would rank as the world’s eighth-largest economy.

    Meanwhile, in Washington, progress remains stalled by politics.

    By contrast, the United States has struggled to execute large-scale energy buildouts amid political gridlock and partisan divides. While China plans decades ahead, U.S. policymakers too often remain focused on the next election cycle.

    According to a recent report from the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF), China is on course to overtake the U.S. across a wide range of what it terms “national power industries.” These span military sectors such as guided missiles and tanks, dual-use industries like electronic displays and semiconductors, and enabling industries including automobiles and heavy construction equipment.

    That said, the U.S. continues to commit heavily to defense spending. Congress recently approved an $839 billion defense bill—$8 billion more than requested by the Pentagon—with funding directed toward key systems such as the F-35, the B-21 bomber, and the Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile program. More than $13 billion is also allocated to space and missile defense under President Trump’s Golden Dome initiative.

    What This Means for Investors

    Equity markets may already be signaling the start of a new investment cycle. In January, leadership shifted toward small-cap, domestically oriented stocks. While the S&P 500 hit new highs with a gain of about 1.4%, the Russell 2000 jumped 5.4%, markedly outperforming large caps. Small caps also logged a 15-day streak of outperformance versus the S&P—the longest since May 1996.

    This strength does not appear to be a one-off. Since the beginning of Trump’s second term, the Russell 2000 has edged ahead of the S&P 500, rising roughly 17% versus 15% as of Friday, February 6. Some small-cap companies, though not all, tend to be less exposed to tariffs and could benefit over time in a less globalized world.

    That said, careful stock selection is critical. Around 40% of Russell 2000 constituents are currently unprofitable.

    Finally, with precious metals retreating from recent highs, investors may want to consider buying the dip. A 10% allocation to gold—split evenly between physical bullion and high-quality mining stocks—can help diversify portfolios, with regular rebalancing remaining essential.

    Sources: Frank Holmes

  • The cryptocurrency market edged lower after a modest rebound failed to reassure risk-seeking investors.

    The total cryptocurrency market capitalization has fallen about 10% over the past week to roughly $2.36 trillion. Paradoxically, this also marks a 10% rebound from Friday’s lows. Despite that uptick, near-term prospects remain uncertain, as the recovery stalled over the weekend and met selling pressure around the $2.4 trillion level. This suggests the move may have been a temporary bounce within a broader decline that has yet to fully run its course.

    The sentiment index dropped to 6 over the weekend, matching the lows seen on June 18–19, 2022, and only falling lower once before, on August 22, 2019. By Monday, it had rebounded to 14 in line with market prices, but this remains an extremely depressed level and does not yet support confident buying.

    Bitcoin recovered steadily on Friday after an early sharp sell-off, but from Saturday onward it encountered strong resistance around the $71,000 level. Significant supply remains in the market from investors looking to exit on rebounds, suggesting persistent selling pressure. Under these conditions, the possibility of a fresh test of the 200-week moving average in the near term should not be ruled out.

    The decline in Bitcoin prices has been accompanied by shrinking liquidity, heightened volatility, weaker risk appetite, and a stronger correlation with equity markets. CryptoQuant suggests BTC could drop to around $54,600, a level at which the market may shift from capitulation toward accumulation.

    Amid the broader crypto sell-off, Strategy reported a net loss of $12.6 billion for the fourth quarter, with operating losses totaling $17.4 billion. CEO Fong Le said the company would only face debt-servicing risks in the event of an extreme Bitcoin collapse to about $8,000.

    Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson disclosed unrealized losses exceeding $3 billion, while emphasizing that he has no plans to liquidate his holdings even if market conditions deteriorate further.

    Bitcoin miners are increasingly shutting down operations as losses mount. Mining profitability has fallen to record lows due to declining crypto prices and higher electricity costs, with JPMorgan estimating the average cost of mining at roughly $87,000 per BTC.

    Following the latest adjustment, Bitcoin’s mining difficulty dropped 11.16% to 125.86 trillion, marking the steepest decline since 2021, when China banned cryptocurrency mining.

    Despite the prevailing pessimism, JPMorgan remains constructive on Bitcoin’s long-term outlook, forecasting that it could eventually reach $266,000. The bank has also recently lifted its long-term gold price forecast to $8,000–8,500.

    Sources: Alexander Kuptsikevich

  • Amazon is preparing to roll out an AI-driven content marketplace, according to a report by The Information.

    Amazon has indicated to publishing executives that it intends to introduce a marketplace allowing publishers to license their content to companies developing artificial intelligence products, according to a Monday report by The Information.

    The report said Amazon Web Services shared presentation slides ahead of its conference on Tuesday that referenced a planned content marketplace, citing two sources familiar with discussions with Amazon.

    Those slides reportedly place the marketplace alongside AWS’s main AI offerings, such as Bedrock and Quick Suite, positioning it as a tool publishers could use in their operations.

    The move comes as publishers and AI firms continue negotiations over how digital content may be used for AI training or for generating responses, with publishers seeking fees tied to the level of content usage.

    An Amazon spokesperson said the company had no specific comment on the report, noting its long-standing partnerships with publishers and its ongoing focus on innovation.

    The development follows Microsoft’s recent announcement that it is working on a Publisher Content Marketplace, an AI licensing platform that reflects publishers’ usage terms.

    Sources: Reuters

  • Gold prices edged lower but held above the $5,000-per-ounce level, while silver prices also retreated.

    Gold prices slipped in early Asian trading on Tuesday, pulling back from strong gains in the previous session as investors turned cautious ahead of a series of important U.S. economic data releases this week. Silver and platinum also moved lower, despite some limited support from an overnight dip in the dollar, which later showed signs of recovery in Asian hours.

    Spot gold declined 0.8% to $5,016.28 an ounce, while April gold futures fell 0.8% to $5,041.60 an ounce. Spot silver dropped 2.4% to $81.29 an ounce, and spot platinum slid 2% to $2,081.71 an ounce.

    Precious metals have seen sharp volatility over the past week, with profit-taking and stretched positioning driving prices down from record highs. Markets have also been unsettled by uncertainty around U.S. monetary policy, particularly ahead of a potential leadership change at the Federal Reserve.

    Attention this week is firmly on key U.S. economic indicators for signals on growth and the future path of interest rates. January nonfarm payrolls data is due on Wednesday, followed by consumer price index inflation data on Friday, both of which are critical inputs for the Fed given its focus on inflation and labor market conditions.

    Investors are also assessing the potential policy direction under Kevin Warsh, President Donald Trump’s nominee to succeed Jerome Powell as Fed chair when Powell’s term ends in May. Warsh is widely seen as less dovish, and his nomination triggered steep selloffs in metals markets that have yet to be fully reversed, with gold plunging from near-record highs around $5,600 an ounce and silver falling from above $120 an ounce.

    Sources: Ambar Warrick

  • Oil prices tick lower as markets watch U.S.–Iran tensions.

    Oil prices edged lower in Asian trade on Tuesday, giving back some of the previous session’s gains as markets focused on U.S.–Iran tensions and awaited key economic data. Crude had jumped more than 1% earlier after reports suggested Washington was taking a more cautious stance toward Iran, offsetting optimism from weekend talks.

    A weaker dollar had supported prices, though the greenback stabilized on Tuesday. Brent futures slipped 0.1% to $68.99 a barrel, while WTI fell 0.2% to $64.06.

    The United States has released a maritime advisory concerning Iran.

    On Monday, the U.S. Maritime Administration warned U.S.-flagged ships to keep as much distance as possible from Iranian waters while transiting the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman, advising vessels to remain closer to Oman due to the risk of boarding by Iranian forces.

    The advisory underscored ongoing tensions between Washington and Tehran, despite recent diplomatic talks showing some progress and commitments to further negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program, which remain strained as Iran has largely dismissed calls to halt nuclear enrichment.

    Markets are awaiting upcoming economic data releases from the United States and China.

    This week’s focus is on economic data from the world’s largest oil consumers, which is expected to shape demand expectations. In the U.S., January nonfarm payrolls are due on Wednesday, followed by consumer price index inflation data on Friday, with both releases likely to influence interest-rate outlooks amid an upcoming leadership transition at the Federal Reserve. In China, CPI data is also scheduled for Friday, just ahead of the week-long Lunar New Year holiday, when travel activity and fuel demand are expected to increase.

    Sources: Ambar Warrick

  • Asian currencies strengthen, with the yen holding election gains as the dollar slips ahead of key data.

    Most Asian currencies strengthened on Tuesday, following an overnight pullback in the dollar as its recent rebound lost momentum ahead of a batch of key U.S. economic data due this week. The Japanese yen edged higher, extending prior gains as fresh government warnings on possible market intervention supported the currency, offsetting concerns about heavier fiscal spending under Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi after her landslide election win. Regional FX benefited from the softer dollar, though advances were capped by investor caution ahead of upcoming U.S. data releases.

    Dollar steadies after overnight drop, with payrolls and CPI in focus.

    The dollar index was little changed in Asian trade after sliding about 0.7% overnight, leaving the greenback hovering near a late-January, almost four-year low. BofA said the absence of fresh catalysts points to choppy, two-way dollar trading with a mild bearish bias ahead of key U.S. data. Markets are now focused on December retail sales due Tuesday, followed by January nonfarm payrolls on Wednesday and CPI inflation on Friday.

    The data will be closely scrutinized for signals on interest rates, as markets remain on edge over U.S. monetary policy following President Donald Trump’s nomination of Kevin Warsh to succeed Jerome Powell as Fed chair. Warsh is seen as a less dovish choice, a perception that has already fueled a sharp dollar rebound and weighed on Asian currencies.

    Asian currencies firm, with the yen holding on to post-election gains.

    Asian currencies broadly strengthened on Tuesday, led by the Japanese yen, with USD/JPY down 0.3%. The yen extended gains for a second session after renewed government warnings on possible currency intervention, helping it shrug off lingering concerns over Japan’s heavy debt burden despite Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s landslide victory. Her ruling coalition’s supermajority gives room for expansive fiscal and budget reforms, including higher spending and tax incentives.

    Elsewhere, the Chinese yuan rose, with USD/CNY down 0.2% to its strongest level in over 2½ years, supported by firm midpoint settings from Beijing ahead of upcoming CPI data. The Australian dollar slipped 0.1%, paring gains after hawkish RBA comments, while BofA warned the Aussie’s rally may be overextended. The Singapore dollar was flat despite stronger-than-expected Q4 GDP, while the South Korean won and Indian rupee edged higher, though the rupee remained above 90 per dollar.

    Sources: Ambar Warrick

  • Trump warns Canada over new Ontario–Michigan bridge, demands 50% stake.

    U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday he would immediately seek talks with Canada to secure compensation for a bridge under construction between Ontario and Michigan, insisting the U.S. should own at least 50% of it. In a Truth Social post, Trump claimed the project moved forward without U.S. approval and accused the Obama administration of allowing Canada to bypass “Buy American” requirements. He also criticized Canada’s efforts to expand trade with China, making unsubstantiated remarks in the process.

    Canada’s Chamber of Commerce warned that threatening to block bridges would be counterproductive, noting that the Trump administration itself had backed the project as a priority in 2017. The Gordie Howe International Bridge, funded entirely by the Canadian government at an estimated cost of C$6.4 billion, is being built by the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority and is expected to open in early 2026. Trump’s comments come as U.S.–Canada relations remain strained amid trade tensions and Canada’s pivot toward China.

    Sources: Ambar Warrick

  • Asian stocks rose on tech strength, with the Nikkei hitting a new high near 58,000 after Takaichi’s win.

    Asian equities climbed further on Tuesday, led by tech stocks, with Japan’s market hitting new records as investors embraced the “Takaichi trade” after PM Sanae Takaichi’s election win. Sentiment was supported by modest gains on Wall Street overnight, where the Nasdaq outperformed on a rebound in tech and AI shares, while U.S. futures were mostly flat in Asian trading.

    Nikkei jumps to a fresh record, closing in on 58,000 after Takaichi’s victory.

    Japan’s Nikkei 225 surged as much as 3% to a fresh record of 57,960, while the broader TOPIX advanced about 2.2% to an all-time high of 3,863.90. The gains followed a strong session on Monday, when the Nikkei rose nearly 4% and the TOPIX added 2.3%.

    The rally underscored growing investor confidence in Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s policy agenda, widely seen as supportive of economic growth, corporate earnings, and domestic investment. Her decisive election victory over the weekend has reinforced expectations of continued pro-business reforms, expansionary fiscal policy, and initiatives to boost capital spending, innovation, and strategic sectors.

    ING analysts said the landslide win strengthens the case for “responsible but expansionary” fiscal spending and a more Japan-centric foreign policy, adding that risk-on sentiment is likely to dominate markets in the near term.

    Asian tech stocks extend gains

    Technology shares across Asia extended recent gains after last week’s sharp global sell-off driven by AI and valuation concerns. South Korea’s KOSPI rose 0.5% after a more than 4% surge previously, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng added 0.5%, led by a 1% gain in the tech subindex. Mainland Chinese benchmarks were flat, Australia’s ASX 200 edged up 0.2%, Singapore’s STI slipped 0.3%, and India’s Nifty 50 futures were little changed. Investors are also awaiting key U.S. jobs and inflation data later this week for signals on interest rates and global growth.

    Sources: Ayushman Ojha

  • Week Ahead: Jobs and CPI Data May Reset March Fed Expectations

    As a polar vortex brings arctic conditions across the U.S., the economic calendar is set to heat up. The week ahead features two of the most consequential data releases for shaping Federal Reserve policy expectations: the January employment report and the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

    Owing to recent government shutdowns, the January employment report (Wednesday) and CPI release (Friday) will be published unusually close together. The labor report is particularly significant, as January data typically incorporates annual revisions to employment figures, raising the possibility of notable downward adjustments for the year through March 2025.

    A key reference point will be the Federal Reserve’s own assessment of potential overstatement in jobs growth. In December, Fed Chair Jerome Powell noted that internal research suggested official figures may have overstated monthly job gains by as much as 60,000 since April. Given that reported job growth averaged just under 40,000 per month over that span, the scope of upcoming revisions could have meaningful implications for the FOMC’s March policy decision.

    The week also features remarks from several Fed officials, including Governors Christopher Waller (Monday), Stephen Miran (Monday and Thursday), and Michelle Bowman (Wednesday). Among voting Fed presidents this year, Cleveland Fed President Beth Hammack and Dallas Fed President Lorie Logan are both scheduled to speak on Tuesday.

    Markets will also be watching price action on Wall Street following last week’s record close for the Dow Jones Industrial Average above 50,000. The ongoing AI-led shakeout among major technology stocks bears close scrutiny, as does the renewed “old economy” rotation bringing previously sidelined sectors—such as oil and gas, chemicals, transportation, and regional banks—back into focus. Adding to the cross-currents is gold’s continued rally, occurring alongside a sharp pullback in bitcoin.

    The following data releases carry the greatest potential to move markets and shape the Federal Reserve’s assessment of whether further rate cuts are warranted:

    Employment

    We expect nonfarm payrolls to rise by 60,000 in January, following a 50,000 increase in December (see chart). Markets will be closely focused on the size and direction of revisions to prior data. A meaningful downside surprise could increase pressure on Chair Powell to consider a rate cut later this month, even though we do not believe monetary policy can directly address the underlying weaknesses in the labor market.

    CPI 

    Markets are seeking further confirmation that inflation continued to ease in January. December’s 2.6% year-over-year reading matched a four-year low in core CPI inflation (see chart). The Cleveland Fed’s Inflation Nowcasting model currently projects a 0.22% month-over-month increase in core inflation, translating to a 2.45% annual rate. Additional insight on inflation pressures will come from the Q4 2025 Employment Cost Index and December import and export prices, both due Tuesday, as well as the New York Fed’s January inflation expectations survey on Monday.

    Retail sales

    Despite ongoing concerns about the cost of living and a fragile labor market, household spending continues to show resilience. Retail sales in December, due Tuesday, are expected to post another solid gain following November’s 0.6% month-over-month increase. Looking ahead, larger annual tax refunds should help sustain consumer spending momentum. Reflecting this strength, forward earnings for the S&P 500 Retail Composite climbed to a record high during the week of February 6 (see chart).

    Jobless claims

    Initial jobless claims due Thursday will draw heightened scrutiny as investors look to determine whether last week’s jump to 231,000 was driven by severe winter storms rather than a broader acceleration in layoffs. The balance of evidence points to a weather-related distortion, which would likely reassure the Fed that the labor market remains on relatively stable footing.

    Sources: Ed Yardeni

  • Gold Moves Into Accumulation Mode as VC PMI Eyes 5,094–5,208 Resistance

    Gold futures remain in a well-defined bullish consolidation, with prices oscillating around the VC PMI daily mean near 4,982. The market’s continued defense of the Buy-1 level at 4,768 and Buy-2 at 4,556 reinforces the view that institutional demand is emerging on pullbacks. This price action aligns with the core VC PMI mean-reversion framework: sustained trade above the mean increases the probability of a move toward the Sell-1 and Sell-2 targets.

    Within the VC PMI framework, the weekly mean around 4,839 has acted as the key pivot for directional bias. As long as price action remains above this level, bullish momentum is sustained, with upside projections toward the daily Sell-1 resistance at 5,094 and Sell-2 at 5,208. These zones mark statistically extreme levels where the probability of mean reversion typically exceeds 90% under normal market conditions. A decisive breakout and close above Sell-2 would indicate a transition into a higher-volatility regime, opening the door to the weekly Sell-1 level at 5,255 and potentially the weekly Sell-2 target near 5,530.

    Square-of-9 geometry closely mirrors the current price structure, highlighting that the recent peak near 5,113 aligns with a harmonic resistance angle projected from prior cycle lows around 4,423. This geometric relationship suggests gold is completing a rotational phase ahead of its next directional move. When prices oscillate between key geometric angles, it often signals energy compression that ultimately resolves through a momentum expansion.

    Time-cycle analysis into mid-February points to a critical inflection window. With prices consolidating above the mean, the higher-probability outcome favors continuation toward upper resistance bands. Conversely, a failure to hold the 4,982 pivot would likely prompt a corrective rotation toward 4,768 and potentially 4,556, levels where longer-term accumulation demand is expected to reappear.

    The combined use of VC PMI price levels, time-cycle analysis, and Square-of-9 geometry creates a multidimensional framework for identifying high-probability inflection points. Rather than forecasting direction, traders should concentrate on price reactions at the mean and statistically extreme bands. Directional bias is ultimately confirmed by the market itself, once price closes decisively above or below these levels.

    Sources: Patrick MontesDeOca

  • Week Ahead: Tech volatility weighs on markets ahead of jobs, CPI and retail sales data

    Key Highlights

    Japan equities rally: Japanese stocks surged after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s landslide election victory, boosting expectations of higher government spending on defense and AI. The Nikkei jumped as much as 4.2% to a record high, while the Topix rose up to 2.6%, led by gains in electronics and banking stocks.

    Gold rebounds: Gold climbed above $5,000 an ounce, rising as much as 1.6% early on as dip buyers returned following a volatile week. The move was supported by Japan’s election outcome, which fueled expectations of looser fiscal policy and a weaker yen—both supportive for bullion. Gold remains about 11% below its Jan. 29 peak but is still up roughly 15% year to date.

    Oil slips: Oil prices edged lower as easing Middle East tensions reduced near-term supply disruption risks. Talks between Iran and the U.S. in Oman on Tehran’s nuclear program were described by Iran as “a step forward.”

    Asia markets higher: Asian equities opened higher, tracking Friday’s rebound on Wall Street. Stocks jumped in Japan and South Korea, with the Kospi—popular among AI-linked trades—surging 4%. U.S. futures were firmer after the S&P 500 closed about 2% higher on Friday amid dip-buying and improved consumer sentiment.

    Algo-driven risks flagged: Goldman Sachs warned that trend-following algorithmic funds could accelerate U.S. equity selling this week. A renewed decline could trigger around $33 billion in automated sales immediately, with a break below 6,707 on the S&P 500 potentially unleashing up to $80 billion more over the next month. Thin liquidity and short-gamma positioning may keep volatility elevated.

    AI fears spark selloff: Concerns over AI’s economic impact intensified after Anthropic unveiled new tools, triggering a broad selloff that erased $611 billion in market value across 164 software, financial services, and asset management stocks. Despite the selloff, fundamentals remain intact, with S&P 500 software and services earnings expected to grow 19% in 2026 and valuations becoming more attractive.

    Wall Street rebound: U.S. equity futures ticked higher late Sunday after a strong rebound on Friday. Bitcoin jumped following steep losses, the Dow hit a fresh record above 50,000, and the S&P 500 reclaimed its 50-day moving average. The Nasdaq, however, remained below that key level and ended the week notably weaker.

    U.S. Economic Data and Corporate Earnings Schedule

    Investors are set to focus on the delayed January labor market data, alongside upcoming consumer inflation (CPI) and retail sales releases. The jobs and CPI reports were postponed due to a brief government shutdown last week, while December retail sales figures were also delayed following the 2025 shutdown.

    The Federal Reserve continues to view inflation as “somewhat elevated,” with January’s CPI report, due Friday, expected to provide further clarity. As the central bank assesses risks to both inflation and employment as having eased, markets are pricing in no additional rate cuts before the June meeting. By then, Kevin Warsh—President Trump’s nominee for Fed chair—could be in office.

    Despite the Fed’s year-end rate cut, futures markets still anticipate roughly two additional 25-basis-point cuts by December, a pricing stance that has remained largely unchanged since Warsh’s nomination last month.

    Economic calendar:

    Monday, Feb 9
    Remarks from Fed officials including Governors Stephen Miran and Christopher Waller, along with Atlanta Fed President Raphael Bostic.

    Tuesday, Feb 10
    Key U.S. data releases include December retail sales, NFIB Small Business Optimism, the Q4 Employment Cost Index, December import prices, and November business inventories.
    Cleveland Fed President Beth Hammack is also scheduled to speak.

    Wednesday, Feb 11
    The January U.S. employment report is due, alongside remarks from Vice Chair for Supervision Michelle Bowman.
    The monthly U.S. federal budget for January will also be released.

    Thursday, Feb 12
    Data highlights include January existing-home sales and weekly initial jobless claims for the week ending Feb 7.
    Governor Stephen Miran is scheduled to speak.

    Friday, Feb 13
    The January Consumer Price Index (CPI) will be released.

    Earnings Calendar:

    Monday, Feb. 9
    Earnings are due from Apollo Global Management, Onsemi, Loews, and Principal Financial.

    Tuesday, Feb. 10
    A heavy earnings slate includes Coca-Cola, AstraZeneca, Gilead Sciences, BP, CVS Health, Spotify, Duke Energy, Marriott, Ferrari, Ecolab, Robinhood, Cloudflare, Ford, Honda Motor, and Barclays.

    Wednesday, Feb. 11
    Reports are expected from Cisco, McDonald’s, T-Mobile, AppLovin, and Shopify.

    Thursday, Feb. 12
    Applied Materials, Arista Networks, Unilever, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Brookfield, Airbnb, and Coinbase Global are scheduled to report.

    Friday, Feb. 13
    Enbridge and Moderna round out the week.

    Cisco is set to report fiscal Q2 results after Wednesday’s close. Consensus estimates call for adjusted EPS of $1.02, up 9% year over year, on revenue of $15.1 billion, an 8% increase. Product orders are expected to soften slightly following 13% growth last quarter, while AI-related orders may cool after reaching $1.3 billion in Q1. Investors will be watching for upside tied to Cisco’s AI-networking partnership with Nvidia and signs of a recovery in its security segment following a weak prior quarter despite the Splunk acquisition.

    AstraZeneca reports Q4 results early Tuesday, with analysts forecasting flat adjusted EPS and roughly 4% sales growth. The company’s recent move from Nasdaq to the NYSE has helped propel shares sharply higher, up around 108% in February.

    Robinhood is expected to post a roughly 38% decline in EPS to $0.63, even as revenue is seen rising nearly 34% to $1.36 billion on stronger options, equities, and transaction activity. Crypto revenue is projected to fall about 28% to $259 million. The company has recently faced regulatory scrutiny related to prediction markets, including halting sports-related contracts in Nevada, contributing to a sharp pullback in the stock last week.

    Elsewhere, McDonald’s earnings are expected to show about 8% EPS growth—its strongest quarter since late 2023—while Coca-Cola is forecast to report modest slowing growth, despite shares gaining around 8% since breaking out in January.

    By the end of the week, more than 80% of Dow Jones Industrial Average constituents will have reported earnings.

    Technical Analysis:

    DJIA Index
    The index confirmed a breakout from a bullish rectangular consolidation on Friday. As long as support at 49,970 holds, the upside target remains at 51,000.
    DJIA daily candlestick chart.

    Nasdaq 100 Index
    The NDX broke below the 25,200 support level last Wednesday, in line with the view that a sustained move under 25,200 would open the door toward 24,650. The index subsequently dropped to 24,455 before reclaiming 24,650. It is now rebounding toward 25,200, with further upside toward 25,370. A decisive break above 25,370 would expose resistance near 25,850.
    NDX daily candlestick chart.

    SPX Index
    The SPX successfully defended the 6,790–6,780 support zone during its second pullback of the year. The index is now consolidating within a rectangular range. As long as support at 6,780 holds, the upside target remains 7,010.
    SPX daily candlestick chart.

    Weekly Probability Outlook for U.S. Indices

    The U.S. weekly market probability map for Feb. 9–13, 2026 points to a mixed open for U.S. equity indices, followed by a stronger close and a rally developing midweek. The probability maps are based on historical seasonality trends, with sentiment readings generated through a seasonality-driven scoring model.

    Sources: Ali Merchant

  • Major Australian pension fund says Aussie dollar is undervalued, increases currency exposure

    A major Australian pension fund has increased hedging on its international equities, arguing the Australian dollar is undervalued as the Reserve Bank of Australia tightens policy while most major central banks pause or prepare to cut rates.

    Jeff Brunton, head of portfolio management at HESTA, which manages A$100 billion in assets, said the fund has raised its exposure to the Australian dollar, citing long-term valuation models that point to persistent undervaluation. By increasing currency hedging, HESTA aims to protect portfolio returns if a stronger Aussie dollar erodes the local-currency value of overseas investments.

    The move contrasts with the traditionally low level of currency hedging among Australian investors in U.S. equities, where the U.S. dollar has typically been viewed as a shock absorber. HESTA is the second large fund to adjust its strategy recently, following similar steps by Australian Retirement Trust.

    Analysts note that increased Australian dollar buying by pension funds could add upward pressure to the currency, which rose 4.3% last month to a three-year high and has gained nearly another 1% in February. Support has also come from the RBA’s recent 25-basis-point rate hike to 3.85%, strong commodity-driven trade surpluses, and Australia’s yield advantage over other G10 economies.

    HESTa currently holds A$23.45 billion in international equities, and Brunton said the fund remains underweight foreign currencies relative to both its long-term targets and its peers.

    Sources: Reuters

  • Bitcoin price today: Holds steady above $70,000 as Japan election boosts market sentiment

    Bitcoin hovered above the $70,000 mark on Monday, stabilizing after a sharp rebound late last week from lows near $60,000, as investors reassessed risk appetite following widespread liquidations and shifted focus to key U.S. economic data due later in the week.

    The world’s largest cryptocurrency was last up about 1.5% at $70,402.5 by 01:25 ET (06:25 GMT), moving further away from a roughly 16-month low of around $60,187 reached earlier in the week.

    On Friday, Bitcoin surged back above $70,000, jumping more than 12% in a single session as rallies in technology stocks and precious metals lifted risk assets more broadly. The rebound was supported by bargain hunting after the steep selloff, alongside signs of stabilisation across global markets.

    Bitcoin’s sharp decline last week reflected a broader risk-off environment, driven by a selloff in U.S. technology shares — especially AI-related stocks — and forced liquidations in crypto futures markets, which intensified downward pressure.

    Ongoing outflows from Bitcoin spot ETFs and a pullback from leveraged positions were also seen as key contributors to the heightened volatility.

    Japan election reinforces the shift in risk sentiment

    Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s decisive election victory on Sunday reinforced her mandate to push ahead with fiscal stimulus and tax reductions. The landslide result lifted regional equities and was linked to a renewed appetite for risk across some global markets.

    Although the yen initially weakened ahead of the vote, it later steadied alongside equity gains, helping to support broader market sentiment.

    Attention is now turning to a series of important U.S. economic releases later this week, including delayed employment data due on Wednesday and the consumer price index report on Friday.

    These figures are expected to shape expectations for the Federal Reserve’s policy path, with markets currently factoring in potential rate cuts later in 2026 should inflation cool and labour market momentum slow.

    Crypto prices today: altcoins remain subdued after rebounding from recent lows

    Most major altcoins moved within narrow ranges on Monday, showing limited follow-through after their recent rebound.

    Ethereum, the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency, traded largely unchanged at $2,076.41. XRP, ranked third, edged 1.1% higher to $1.43.

    Solana slipped marginally, while Cardano and Polygon were little changed on the day.

    In the meme-token space, Dogecoin underperformed, falling about 2%.

    Sources: Ayushman Ojha

  • Gold and Silver: Volatility is undermining their role as portfolio diversifiers – HSBC

    HSBC Asset Management said gold and silver posted dramatic price swings in 2025, fueled by geopolitical risks and worries about the Federal Reserve’s independence, before evolving into a retail-driven speculative phase. Analysts caution that leveraged selling could increase their correlation with equities, but note that central bank de-dollarisation efforts and crisis-related demand continue to support the long-term structural case for precious metals.

    Safe-haven demand weighed against speculative flows

    “This year’s moves in gold and silver have been extraordinary.
    Sparked by geopolitical tensions and concerns over the Federal Reserve’s independence, the 2025 rally morphed into a retail-driven speculative surge, making a correction increasingly probable.

    So where does that leave investors who rely on gold as a portfolio diversifier? Although retail inflows lifted returns, they also brought equity-like volatility — at odds with gold’s traditional safe-haven role.

    That said, recent turbulence shows that no safe haven is perfect, reinforcing the case for ‘diversifying the diversifiers’: taking an active, multi-asset approach to seek uncorrelated returns across a wide range of assets.”

    Sources: Fxstreet

  • EUR/USD holds key support as traders assess the next leg higher

    Key highlights

    • EUR/USD slipped below 1.1900 and tested support near 1.1780.
    • The pair broke above a key bearish trend line, previously acting as resistance around 1.1810 on the 4-hour chart.

    EUR/USD technical analysis

    On the 4-hour chart, EUR/USD tested the 61.8% Fibonacci retracement of the advance from the 1.1577 swing low to the 1.2082 peak. The pair has held above both the 100-period (red) and 200-period (green) simple moving averages, signaling underlying support.

    The pair is stabilizing above 1.1780 and has recently cleared the bearish trend line near 1.1810. On the upside, initial resistance is seen around 1.1850, followed by 1.1890. A sustained close above 1.1890 could pave the way for further gains toward 1.1920, with a potential extension toward the 1.2000 handle.

    On the downside, immediate support remains at 1.1780. A deeper pullback could test the 1.1720 area, while the key support level lies at 1.1700. A break below this zone would likely shift momentum in favor of the bears and could expose the 1.1650 region.

    Sources: Aayush Jindal

  • Gold seeks firm footing above $5,000 as a pivotal week begins

    Gold is consolidating recent gains around the $5,000 level, with buyers gradually building momentum for a potential sustained uptrend as a pivotal week gets underway. Market attention is firmly on the delayed U.S. Nonfarm Payrolls report due Wednesday and the Consumer Price Index data scheduled for release on Friday.

    Fundamental Analysis

    As the new, data-heavy week begins, dovish sentiment surrounding the U.S. Federal Reserve is setting the tone, with renewed reflation trades helping gold extend Friday’s strong rebound from the $4,650 area.

    After last week’s weak U.S. labor data, markets have continued to price in the first Fed interest-rate cut as early as June, even as investors remain divided over the likely policy stance of Fed chair nominee Kevin Warsh.

    Risk appetite has also been supported by a resurgence in reflationary trades, sparked by Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party securing a decisive majority in snap elections. The outcome has reinforced expectations of debt-funded fiscal stimulus, further underpinning the broader reflation theme.

    Adding to gold’s support, the U.S. dollar has softened amid renewed weakness in USD/JPY following strong verbal intervention from Japanese authorities. The resulting dollar pressure has helped keep the precious metal buoyant.

    That said, gold’s recovery momentum appears somewhat constrained as overall risk sentiment remains upbeat on expectations of expansionary fiscal policies in Japan. Japanese equity markets have surged to record highs, lifting broader Asian stocks and reducing demand for traditional safe havens.

    Looking ahead, it remains uncertain whether gold can sustain its rebound, as traders may grow more cautious and adjust positions ahead of Wednesday’s closely watched U.S. January jobs report.

    XAU/USD Technical Overview

    On the daily chart, XAU/USD is trading around $5,023.88, with the technical structure firmly tilted to the upside. The 21-day Simple Moving Average (SMA) has crossed above the 50-, 100-, and 200-day SMAs, and all are sloping higher, highlighting a strong and well-established bullish trend. Prices remain comfortably above these moving averages, keeping buyers in control.

    Momentum indicators also support the constructive outlook. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) is at 57.72, holding above the neutral 50 level and well below overbought territory, suggesting steady positive momentum without signs of exhaustion. Immediate dynamic support is provided by the rising 21-day SMA at $4,873.06.

    This bullish alignment implies that any pullbacks are likely to be limited as long as prices stay above the faster moving average. A daily close below the 21-day SMA would signal a deeper corrective move, potentially exposing the 50-day SMA near $4,563.97. For now, the continued rise in medium- and long-term SMAs favors a buy-on-dips approach and keeps the broader trend firmly pointed higher.

    Sources: Fxstreet

  • Top Weekly Picks: Buy Cisco, Sell Moderna

    • Key U.S. economic data—including the jobs report, CPI inflation, retail sales—and another round of corporate earnings will be in focus this week.
    • Cisco is expected to post strong earnings along with upbeat guidance, positioning the stock as a high-conviction potential outperformer in the near term.
    • By contrast, Moderna faces pressure from declining revenue and anticipated losses, leaving the stock vulnerable to downside risk this week.

    Wall Street stocks surged on Friday, posting their strongest gains in months as the Dow Jones Industrial Average finished above the landmark 50,000 level for the first time.

    The rally came after three consecutive sessions of declines driven by artificial intelligence-related concerns, with software stocks particularly pressured on fears that AI could intensify competition across the sector.

    For the week, the benchmark S&P 500 and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite edged lower by 0.1% and 1.8%, respectively, while the 30-stock Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 2.5% and the small-cap Russell 2000 advanced 1.8%.

    Volatility may remain elevated in the days ahead as investors weigh the outlook for economic growth, inflation, interest rates, and corporate earnings.

    On the economic front, delayed December retail sales data is set for release on Tuesday. However, Wednesday’s postponed January U.S. jobs report could prove more influential amid mounting concerns over labor-market conditions. January CPI inflation data due on Friday will also be closely watched for further evidence on whether price pressures are truly easing.

    Earnings season also rolls on, with a busy slate of high-profile results due in the coming days. Notable reports include Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, Ford, Cisco, Robinhood, Coinbase, and Arista Networks, alongside key software names such as AppLovin, Shopify, and Datadog.

    Regardless of broader market direction, below I highlight one stock that is likely to attract buying interest and another that could face renewed downside pressure. Note that this view is strictly short term, covering the week ahead from Monday, February 9 through Friday, February 13.

    Stock To Buy: Cisco 

    Cisco’s upcoming earnings report is the key catalyst for the stock this week, with the risk–reward profile appearing skewed to the upside. CSCO is set to report fiscal second-quarter results after the market closes on Wednesday at 4:05 p.m. ET.

    Market expectations remain relatively modest, suggesting that even a small beat on revenue and earnings per share, coupled with steady or slightly optimistic guidance, could be enough to spark a post-earnings rally.

    Analyst sentiment has been notably constructive heading into the release. According to InvestingPro data, 14 of the last 16 EPS revisions have been upward, underscoring growing confidence in Cisco’s ongoing expansion.

    As a leading player in networking hardware, cybersecurity, and an increasingly important provider of AI infrastructure, Cisco is well positioned to capitalize on multiple tailwinds that could support a strong quarterly performance despite a mixed macroeconomic backdrop.

    Consensus forecasts call for adjusted earnings per share of $1.02, representing a 9% increase from a year earlier. Revenue is expected to rise 8% year over year to $15.1 billion, supported by AI-driven demand and solid product sales.

    Analysts see potential for longer-term upside from Cisco’s partnership with Nvidia to develop AI networking solutions for the enterprise market. Meanwhile, Cisco’s security segment underperformed in fiscal first quarter results despite the acquisition of Splunk, and investors will be watching closely for signs of a rebound in that business.

    Cisco’s shares have been on a strong run, notching a string of fresh 52-week highs in recent sessions. The stock closed at $84.82 on Friday, underscoring solid momentum heading into the earnings release.

    Valuation and sentiment also remain supportive. Cisco continues to trade at a reasonable earnings multiple relative to both the broader technology sector and its own historical averages, while offering an appealing dividend yield underpinned by robust free cash flow.

    Trade setup:

    • Entry: Near current levels (~$84–85)
    • Target: $90–$95 (potential upside of ~5.8%–10.8%)
    • Stop-loss: $80 (downside risk of ~5.8%)

    Stock To Sell: Moderna

    Moderna, meanwhile, faces a tougher setup this week as it heads into its fourth-quarter earnings release scheduled for before Friday’s opening bell at 6:35 a.m. ET. Options markets are pricing in a sharp post-earnings swing of around ±16%, underscoring the heightened risk of a downside surprise.

    After its blockbuster pandemic-era success with the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, the biotech company has struggled with the transition from reliance on a single product to a broader—yet still largely unproven—development pipeline.

    Analyst sentiment has turned increasingly cautious ahead of the report, with consensus sales estimates cut by roughly 14%, reflecting growing concerns over Moderna’s near-term revenue outlook.

    Consensus expectations point to a sizable loss, with earnings per share projected at around –$2.62 on revenue of $662.8 million, representing a steep year-over-year decline of more than 30% from sales of $966 million.

    Moderna is grappling with slowing revenue growth and a lack of near-term catalysts to counter weakening demand, as vaccine sales continue to fade.

    At the same time, the company must maintain elevated spending on research, development, and manufacturing to advance a broad pipeline spanning respiratory viruses, oncology, and other therapeutic areas. This combination is weighing on near-term profitability and increasing pressure on cash burn.

    Moderna’s share price has started to lose momentum after a strong recent rally, ending Friday at $41.01. While the stock remains up 67.1% over the past three months and 21.1% in the last month, last week’s 7% decline points to waning upside traction.

    In a market increasingly favoring growth and AI-linked themes, high-beta biotech stocks like Moderna are vulnerable to rotation, particularly if earnings fall short or forward guidance disappoints.

    Trade setup:

    • Entry: Near current levels (~$40–41)
    • Target: $35 (potential gain of ~15%)
    • Stop-loss: $45 (risk of ~12.5%)

    Whether you’re a newer investor or an experienced trader, tools like InvestingPro can help uncover opportunities while managing risk in a challenging and fast-moving market environment.

    Sources: Jesse Cohen

  • Yen rebounds from two-week low on intervention chatter, but fiscal worries limit upside

    The Japanese yen slid to a fresh two-week low as Sanae Takaichi’s landslide victory reignited concerns over Japan’s fiscal outlook. However, warnings of possible currency intervention sparked some intraday short covering in the yen, aided by broader U.S. dollar weakness.

    Still, downside momentum in the yen was partly limited after data showed a decline in Japan’s real wages, which reduced expectations for an immediate interest rate hike by the Bank of Japan and helped cap further moves in the currency.

    The Japanese yen began the new week on a softer footing after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s landslide victory in Sunday’s election raised expectations of additional fiscal stimulus. That initial weakness proved short-lived, however, as Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama reiterated warnings over excessive currency moves and confirmed close coordination with the United States to counter disorderly FX fluctuations. Combined with continued U.S. dollar selling, the comments prompted an intraday reversal of nearly 150 pips in USD/JPY from the Asian session peak near 157.65.

    Meanwhile, data released earlier showed Japan’s real wages fell in December for a 12th straight month, with nominal pay growth slightly lagging cooling consumer inflation. This reinforces expectations that the Bank of Japan will proceed cautiously after lifting interest rates to a three-decade high in December. In addition, a more upbeat risk environment, supported by signs of easing tensions in the Middle East, limited further safe-haven demand for the yen, allowing USD/JPY to find support and stall its pullback around the 156.20 area.

    Yen bulls stay cautious as fiscal concerns and delayed BoJ hike bets offset intervention talk

    Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party, led by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, secured a decisive victory in Sunday’s election, comfortably surpassing the 233-seat threshold needed for a lower-house majority. The result clears the path for proposed tax cuts and increased defense spending, bringing renewed attention to Japan’s already stretched public finances.

    Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama said on Monday that she stands ready to communicate with markets if necessary to help stabilize the yen. She reiterated that Japan remains in close coordination with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and emphasized Tokyo’s right to intervene if currency moves stray from economic fundamentals.

    Meanwhile, data from the labor ministry showed nominal wages rose 2.4% year-on-year in December 2025, accelerating from a revised 1.7% gain previously but still missing market expectations. Adjusted for inflation, real wages fell 0.1% from a year earlier, extending their decline to a 12th consecutive month.

    The figures have dampened expectations for an imminent Bank of Japan rate hike, as policymakers have stressed that further tightening hinges on sustained and broad-based wage growth. Together with a generally positive global equity backdrop, this has limited the yen’s rebound from a more than two-week low.

    Risk sentiment was further supported by indirect U.S.–Iran talks on Tehran’s nuclear program, which concluded on Friday with agreement to keep diplomatic channels open. The development eased fears of a military escalation in the Middle East and encouraged demand for risk assets at the start of the week, despite new U.S. sanctions on Iran.

    The U.S. dollar weakened for a second straight session amid growing bets that the Federal Reserve could cut interest rates twice more in 2026. This contrasts with expectations that the BoJ will continue its gradual policy normalization, helping to cap gains in USD/JPY and urging caution among bullish traders.

    Attention now turns to key U.S. data later this week, including the closely watched nonfarm payrolls report due Wednesday and consumer inflation figures on Friday, both of which are likely to shape dollar direction and drive fresh moves in USD/JPY.

    USD/JPY holds steady below 100-hour SMA as technical signals remain mixed

    The USD/JPY pair is showing modest resilience around the 100-hour Simple Moving Average (SMA), with its intraday pullback stalling near the 156.20 area, which now stands out as a key pivot for short-term traders. Momentum indicators, however, paint a mixed picture. The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) has formed a bearish crossover near the zero line, signaling rising downside pressure, while the Relative Strength Index (RSI) is hovering around 46, below the neutral 50 level, pointing to subdued momentum.

    At the same time, USD/JPY remains above the 100-hour SMA, currently located around the 156.55–156.50 zone, which preserves a mildly constructive near-term bias and provides dynamic support. A move by the MACD back into positive territory alongside an RSI break above 50 would strengthen the bullish case and open the door to further gains. On the other hand, a clear break and close below the 100-hour SMA would undermine the setup and increase the risk of a deeper corrective move.

    Sources: Haresh Menghani

  • Wall Street futures edge higher on tech recovery ahead of delayed jobs and CPI data

    U.S. stock futures ticked higher on Sunday evening after Wall Street mounted a strong rebound late last week, even as investors remained cautious ahead of delayed U.S. employment and inflation data scheduled for release in the coming days.

    S&P 500 futures rose 0.4% to 6,978.75 points, while Nasdaq 100 futures advanced 0.6% to 25,319.0 points by 19:12 ET (00:12 GMT). Dow Jones futures were up 0.2% at 50,327.0 points.

    Wall Street bounced back late last week as AI disruption fears eased

    Wall Street’s major indexes surged on Friday after several days of losses, as investors stepped in to scoop up beaten-down technology stocks and found reassurance in easing bond yields.

    The S&P 500 advanced 2%, while the Nasdaq Composite climbed 2.2%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 2.5%, notching its first close above the 50,000-point mark.

    Gains were led by chipmakers and AI-linked stocks, which had faced intense selling pressure amid concerns over technology disruption and lofty valuations.

    Earlier in the week, the technology sector had suffered sharp declines as investors rotated away from high-growth names, worried that rapid advances in artificial intelligence could upend software business models and squeeze profit margins.

    For the week as a whole, the Dow gained roughly 2.5%, supported by strength in industrial and financial stocks. The S&P 500 slipped 0.1%, while the Nasdaq fell about 2%, underscoring the sector’s pronounced weakness.

    Jobs, inflation data in focus with major earnings ahead

    Market attention is shifting toward key U.S. economic data releases that were postponed due to the partial government shutdown.

    The closely watched January employment report, originally due last week, is now scheduled for release on Wednesday. A private-sector jobs report published last week showed weaker-than-expected hiring, sparking concerns that labor market momentum may be starting to cool after months of strength.

    Focus will then turn to January consumer price index data, set for release on Friday following the shutdown-related delay. The inflation report will be closely examined for indications that price pressures are easing enough to give the Federal Reserve scope to consider interest rate cuts later this year.

    Corporate earnings may also influence markets in the days ahead, with companies such as Coca-Cola Co (NYSE:KO) and Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) among the notable firms due to report quarterly results this week.

    Sources: Ayushman Ojha

  • Gold jumps to $5,000 as silver rallies after volatile week

    Gold prices climbed in Asian trading on Monday, with silver also advancing after precious metal markets experienced sharp volatility last week amid weaker safe-haven demand, profit-taking, and heightened uncertainty over U.S. monetary policy.

    This week’s focus is on a series of key U.S. economic releases—most notably nonfarm payrolls and consumer price index inflation data—which are expected to offer fresh signals on the outlook for the world’s largest economy. Demand for haven assets eased as the United States and Iran showed signs of progress in weekend talks, with both sides agreeing to continue negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear program.

    Spot gold rose 0.7% to $4,996.47 an ounce by 20:49 ET (01:49 GMT), after briefly touching an intraday high of $5,046.79. April gold futures gained 0.8% to $5,016.21 an ounce.

    Spot silver jumped 3.3% to $80.5330 an ounce, extending its rebound from lows near $60 an ounce seen last week. Platinum underperformed, slipping 2.3% to $2,068.45 an ounce.

    Precious metals saw sharp swings last week as investors weighed the outlook for U.S. monetary policy under President Donald Trump’s nominee for Federal Reserve chair, Kevin Warsh. His nomination boosted the dollar, triggering broad selling across metal markets as traders also took profits after strong recent gains in gold and silver.

    So far in 2026, gold and silver remain up about 15% and 5%, respectively, despite both metals retreating sharply from record highs reached in early February.

    Sources: Ambar Warrick

  • Oil prices slip after the U.S. and Iran signal progress in negotiations

    Oil prices slipped in Asian trading on Monday as the United States and Iran indicated they would continue negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear program, easing concerns about heightened tensions in the Middle East.

    Crude prices were also weighed down by a firmer U.S. dollar ahead of a busy week of key U.S. economic data, extending losses after a roughly 2% decline last week. Investors are additionally awaiting major economic releases from China, the world’s largest oil importer.

    Brent crude futures for April dropped 0.7% to $67.57 a barrel by 21:17 ET (02:17 GMT), while West Texas Intermediate futures also fell 0.7% to $63.12 a barrel.

    U.S. and Iran agree to press ahead with nuclear negotiations

    Washington and Tehran said over the weekend that indirect nuclear negotiations will continue following what both sides described as constructive talks in Oman on Friday.

    The statements helped ease fears of an imminent military confrontation in the Middle East, particularly after the United States had earlier deployed several warships to the region.

    Concerns over a potential conflict had previously pushed traders to build a higher risk premium into oil prices, with former President Donald Trump also issuing threats of military action against Iran.

    However, the likelihood of a full-scale war in the region now appears reduced, even as Tehran indicated it will continue advancing its nuclear enrichment activities.

    Markets await key U.S. and China economic data

    Attention this week is also on a slate of major economic data from the world’s largest oil-consuming economies.

    In the United States, January nonfarm payrolls figures are due on Wednesday, followed by CPI inflation data on Friday. These releases will be closely scrutinized for further signals on the interest-rate outlook, as markets continue to assess the direction of monetary policy under Warsh.

    In China, January CPI data is also scheduled for release on Friday, providing fresh insight into conditions in the world’s biggest oil importer.

    The data arrives just ahead of China’s week-long Lunar New Year holiday, which is expected to boost fuel demand across the country.

    Sources: Ambar Warrick

  • Asian stocks rallied, with the Nikkei surging past 57,000 after Takaichi’s election victory.

    Most Asian markets climbed sharply on Monday, tracking Wall Street’s tech-led rebound, while Japanese shares jumped to record highs after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s coalition won a decisive lower-house victory. Risk sentiment improved across the region following Friday’s strong U.S. rebound from AI-driven losses, with U.S. stock futures also edging higher in Asian trade.

    Nikkei tops 57,000 following Takaichi’s election victory

    Japan’s Nikkei 225 jumped as much as 5.6% to a new record of 57,337.07, supported by improved political certainty after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s coalition won a commanding majority in Sunday’s lower-house election. The broader TOPIX index also surged 3.4% to an all-time high of 3,825.67.

    Analysts said the decisive victory gives Takaichi greater latitude to push through policy initiatives, with markets anticipating higher public spending, tax incentives, and measures to lift wages and corporate investment, alongside continued backing for key sectors such as technology, defense, and energy. While the outcome is seen as positive for Japanese equities, it is expected to pressure government bonds and the yen.

    Asian tech stocks jump, with South Korea’s KOSPI surging nearly 5%

    Asian tech stocks rallied at the start of the week, supported by gains in U.S. chipmakers and AI-linked shares. South Korea’s KOSPI surged nearly 5%, rebounding from sharp losses, as Samsung Electronics jumped more than 5% on reports it will begin mass production of HBM4 chips later this month, while SK Hynix also climbed over 5%.

    Elsewhere, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng rose 2% with the tech subindex up 1.5%, while China’s CSI 300 and Shanghai Composite gained 1.3% each. Australia’s ASX 200 advanced 2%, Singapore’s STI added 1%, and India’s Nifty 50 futures edged higher. Despite the rebound, investors remain cautious amid recent volatility in tech stocks and ahead of key U.S. jobs and inflation data due later this week.

    Sources: Ayushman Ojha

  • Asian FX was subdued, with the yen supported by intervention warnings after Takaichi’s win

    Most Asian currencies traded in narrow ranges on Monday, while the yen edged higher after Japan’s finance ministry stepped up intervention warnings. However, the yen remained under pressure from concerns over heavy fiscal spending, which are expected to persist following Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s landslide election win. Elsewhere, Asian currencies stayed subdued after recent dollar strength, with markets now focused on key economic data due from the U.S. and China.

    Yen buoyed by intervention warnings following Takaichi’s victory

    The USD/JPY slipped 0.2% to 156.87 on Monday after earlier dropping as much as 0.5%, with the yen finding modest support from renewed intervention warnings by Japanese officials. While the currency remained broadly weak against the dollar, comments from Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama about close coordination with U.S. Treasury officials lent temporary relief.

    However, the yen continues to face pressure following Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s decisive election victory, which gives her coalition a supermajority in the lower house and a clearer path to expansionary fiscal plans. Concerns over stretched government spending have weighed heavily on the yen and previously triggered a sharp sell-off in Japanese government bonds. Analysts at OCBC noted that while a looser fiscal stance could further pressure the yen, the risk of official pushback is likely to rise as USD/JPY nears the 160 level.

    Dollar rebound eases as Asian FX trades quietly

    The dollar eased slightly in Asian trade, extending its pullback from last week’s near-98 highs, as traders stayed cautious ahead of key U.S. data, including nonfarm payrolls on Wednesday and CPI inflation on Friday. The releases are expected to shape expectations for U.S. interest rates under potential Fed leadership changes.

    Asian currencies were mostly rangebound. The Chinese yuan edged up, with USD/CNY down 0.1% and hovering near mid-2023 lows, supported by firm PBOC fixings ahead of Friday’s CPI data and the Lunar New Year. The Australian dollar rose 0.2% above $0.70 on bets of further RBA rate hikes after a hawkish move last week.

    Elsewhere, the Singapore dollar was flat, the Korean won weakened slightly, and the Indian rupee stayed above 90 per dollar following the RBI’s steady policy stance and upgraded forecasts.

    Sources: Ambar Warrick

  • Alphabet Signals AI Confidence as Capital Spending Ramps Up

    Google plans to increase capital expenditures to as much as $185 billion this year, significantly exceeding market expectations of around $120 billion. Robust growth in search advertising and Google Cloud has provided Alphabet with the financial flexibility to pursue this aggressive investment strategy. According to Morgan Stanley analysts, the sharp rise in spending signals that AI is driving higher engagement and improved monetisation across Google’s core businesses, with search revenue climbing 17% and cloud revenue surging 48% in the most recent quarter.

    Meta conveyed a similar message after projecting annual capital expenditures of $135 billion, supported by evidence that AI is enhancing advertising effectiveness. However, not all technology giants have been able to convince investors that rising capital spending is justified. Microsoft, for example, saw its shares fall sharply—erasing more than $350 billion in market value—after its cloud performance disappointed, even as its own capital investment ramped up.

    Amazon is also under pressure to sustain strong growth at AWS while continuing to expand data-center capacity. In contrast, Alphabet’s sharply rising cloud backlog highlights growing demand for AI infrastructure and tools, lending credibility to its aggressive spending plans.

    The trade-off, however, is immediate. Morgan Stanley estimates that Alphabet’s free cash flow per share could decline by 58% in 2026 and by as much as 80% in 2027 as higher capital expenditures flow through the business. In effect, the company is sacrificing near-term cash returns in exchange for longer-term strategic positioning.

    Alphabet now stands at a crossroads. Strong advertising and cloud growth point to early benefits from AI investments, but the sheer scale of spending increases execution risk. If the added capacity delivers sustained revenue growth, the strategy will appear well-timed. If growth slows, Alphabet could face a thinner cash buffer and heightened expectations. For now, the company is betting that leading with investment is essential to staying ahead—and the market will be watching closely to see whether returns keep pace.

    Sources: Pratyush Thakur

  • WTI Crude Oil Weekly Outlook: Established Range Reasserts Its Pull

    After closing the prior week comfortably above the 65.000 level, WTI Crude Oil began this past Monday with a sharp selloff, dropping to nearly 63.300. From there, price action largely revolved around that area throughout the week, with technical levels guiding the back-and-forth movement.

    Heading into the weekend, WTI is trading near 63.490 and is likely to open with early momentum when markets reopen on Monday. Overall, crude appears to have formed a central pricing zone, reflecting a higher equilibrium that remains reluctant to drift too far from lower levels. Resistance seems to be forming near 65.500, while the 61.000 area is acting as a key support floor—though, of course, there is no guarantee prices will remain confined within this range.

    Short-Term Outlook and Retrospective Analysis

    While some market participants attribute higher WTI crude prices to geopolitical concerns in the Middle East—particularly surrounding Iran and the buildup of U.S. military forces in the region—another factor may be the recent stretch of record cold temperatures across the United States. Notably, WTI crude had been trading with support near the 59.000 level up until January 22.

    The challenge with any of these explanations is the possibility that WTI crude is simply trading higher due to speculative forces, even though broader factors are clearly influencing market sentiment. The combined impact of geopolitical tensions involving Iran and unusually cold weather in the U.S. may be shaping positioning decisions among large market participants. At the same time, WTI has returned to a price range that was already tested back in August 2025, underscoring that this valuation zone is not unfamiliar territory for the commodity.

    Support and Resistance Levels in Focus This Week

    Broader financial markets continue to display signs of unease, with many large traders and institutions positioning defensively and expressing limited confidence in signals coming from other asset classes.

    By contrast, WTI crude oil has continued to grind along within a familiar and well-defined range, potentially creating opportunities for speculative positioning. The opening price action on Monday will be worth watching, especially given that the prior week began with a sharp selloff at the open. A repeat of that move appears less likely this time, as market anxiety seems to have eased somewhat compared with last week. If WTI opens in a more orderly fashion, it could present attractive opportunities to engage around key technical levels.

    WTI Crude Oil Weekly Market Outlook

    If WTI crude oil moves higher at the start of Monday’s session and approaches the 64.000 level, traders may look to target slightly higher price zones. That said, day traders should avoid becoming overly aggressive, as the 64.500 area could present stiff resistance unless upside momentum is firmly maintained. For now, a sharp acceleration to higher levels appears unlikely, with a decisive breakout probably requiring fresh catalysts—such as escalating developments involving Iran—to overcome established resistance.

    Conversely, if WTI opens lower on Monday, the early reaction around the 63.000 support level will be key. A successful hold there would suggest larger participants are comfortable maintaining the current price equilibrium. However, a sustained break below 63.000 lasting several hours could indicate reduced concern among major oil players, potentially opening the door to further downside movement.

    Sources: Robert Petrucci

  • Markets in Focus – S&P 500, EUR/USD, USD/CAD, USD/CHF, USD/MXN, DAX, USD/JPY, GBP/USD

    S&P 500

    The S&P 500 remains highly volatile, with last week seeing the index test the 7,000 mark and briefly dip below 6,800 before rebounding. Overall, the price action suggests the market is still trying to determine its next direction, which is understandable given that earnings season is underway.

    For now, the index continues to favor a buy-the-dip dynamic, with rebounds likely fueling further FOMO. A decisive move above 7,000 would likely open the door to further upside, although short-term choppiness is still to be expected.

    EUR/USD

    The euro traded in a choppy manner throughout the week as it tested the 1.18 level, an area that had previously acted as resistance. Last week’s price action formed a particularly ugly shooting star, leaving uncertainty about whether the euro has enough momentum to sustain an upside breakout.

    A move below the low of last week’s candle could open the door for a pullback toward the 1.16 level, effectively returning the pair to its prior consolidation range. While short-term price action is likely to remain noisy, the broader outlook is clouded by ongoing uncertainty around ECB policy and whether the Federal Reserve will move quickly enough on rate cuts to satisfy market expectations. Overall, I remain neutral on this pair.

    USD/CAD

    The US dollar strengthened against the Canadian dollar but once again ran into resistance near the 1.37 level. Price is hovering around the 200-week EMA, and last week’s hammer candle suggests buyers may attempt to drive the pair higher, though confirmation is still needed.

    From a technical perspective, this zone appears attractive for potential long positions, with the interest rate differential continuing to favor the US dollar. That said, this setup is better suited for short-term traders, as large or sustained moves are unlikely in the near term given the pair’s typically range-bound behavior.

    USD/CHF

    The US dollar has edged higher against the Swiss franc, pushing above the 0.78 level, a key psychological round number that many traders are closely monitoring. This pair is especially noteworthy given last week’s hammer formation and ongoing comments from the Swiss National Bank expressing discomfort with a strong franc.

    Should the SNB maintain this stance, intervention remains a possibility, which would likely weaken the franc and lift USD/CHF along with other CHF-denominated pairs. While the positive swap favors long positions, the move higher is likely to be uneven and challenging, so traders should be mindful of potential volatility.

    USD/MXN

    The US dollar has been highly volatile against the Mexican peso, with the 17.50 level continuing to act as resistance. For now, the 17.00 area below appears to be the most likely short-term target.

    From a longer-term perspective, there is substantial support beneath current levels, making a deeper breakdown uncertain. At the same time, the pair still offers an attractive carry trade, particularly for short-term participants. Given recent price action, this week is likely to remain as choppy as the last two, and significant moves seem unlikely.

    DAX

    The German DAX has maintained a bullish tone for most of the week but continues to face resistance near the 25,000 level. A decisive break above 25,000—ideally confirmed by a daily, if not weekly, close—would likely clear the way for further upside in the index.

    A Global Search for Support

    Over time, I expect that breakout to occur. This is not a market that lends itself well to short positions, as it is likely to receive ongoing support from the German government, which continues to inject significant spending into the economy. As a result, buying pullbacks in the DAX remains an attractive strategy.

    USD/JPY

    The US dollar has held up well against the Japanese yen this week, even in the wake of recent intervention efforts. The 158 level remains a major reference point on long-term charts, an area of significance that dates back to May 1990 and deserves close attention.

    Looking further ahead, a sustained break above the 163 level—where the monthly chart shows a substantial resistance zone—could eventually open the door to much higher levels, potentially even toward 250 yen over the longer term. While such a move is not expected in the near future, it reflects the broader outlook for the yen unless there is a meaningful shift in underlying conditions.

    GBP/USD

    The British pound was highly volatile throughout the week, with the 1.3750 level once again acting as notable resistance. A break below 1.35 would be a strongly bearish signal for GBP/USD and could potentially open the door for a move toward the 1.30 area.

    While it remains unclear whether the US dollar has definitively bottomed, it is beginning to show signs of attempting a base. If that proves to be the case, it could leave many traders positioned on the wrong side of the market.

    Sources: Christopher Lewis

  • Why fears of dollar debasement appear premature despite the recent hype

    Concerns that the U.S. dollar is heading into a phase of rapid debasement look exaggerated, despite ongoing longer-term headwinds. Although the currency has been volatile recently and briefly hit multi-year lows—reviving “Sell America” narratives—Bank of America says market evidence does not yet point to a structural shift away from U.S. assets.

    While BofA remains bearish on the dollar over the long run, it expects any depreciation to play out gradually through 2026 and 2027 rather than through an abrupt decline. Investor positioning and capital flow data show little sign of a coordinated move out of U.S. assets. Dollar risk premia have risen only modestly, and options markets indicate that short-dollar positioning is not meaningfully larger than it was three months ago.

    Cross-asset flows reinforce this view, with equity and bond data showing no substantial foreign capital flight from the U.S. Notably, there has been just one session this year in which both the dollar and U.S. equities sold off sharply at the same time—an outcome inconsistent with a broad debasement scenario.

    Instead, BofA suggests that increased currency hedging is the more likely adjustment. European investors may hedge their U.S. exposure more actively, which could place steady, incremental pressure on the dollar without triggering a disorderly selloff.

    Macro indicators also fail to signal rising debasement risks. Inflation expectations remain well anchored, and although fiscal concerns are widely discussed, they have not produced market stress indicative of eroding confidence in the dollar. Part of the expected dollar weakness may simply reflect improving conditions elsewhere, particularly in Europe, where stronger growth prospects, German fiscal stimulus, potential spillovers from Chinese stimulus, and longer-term structural factors such as higher defense spending and trade agreements could support the euro and other non-U.S. assets.

    Sources: Pratyush Thakur

  • Five major analyst moves in AI: Microsoft stock downgraded as it’s seen as “due for a pause.”

    Stifel downgrades Microsoft to Hold, says it’s “time to pause”

    Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) saw a rare Wall Street downgrade this week as Stifel analyst Brad Reback lowered the stock to Hold from Buy, cautioning that expectations for fiscal and calendar 2027 appear overly optimistic. He cited ongoing cloud capacity constraints, rising capital intensity, and intensifying AI competition as key concerns.

    Reback cut Stifel’s price target to $392 from $540, saying the stock may need a breather after its strong run. Persistent limitations in Azure capacity remain a major headwind. Given well-known supply issues, along with strong results from Google’s GCP and Gemini platforms and increasing momentum at Anthropic, Reback believes meaningful near-term acceleration at Azure is unlikely.

    He also noted that revenue tailwinds from overlapping product cycles that benefited fiscal 2026 should fade, limiting upside in subsequent years. Meanwhile, investment spending is expected to surge. Stifel raised its fiscal 2027 capex estimate to roughly $200 billion, about 40% growth and well above the Street’s $160 billion forecast. As a result, Reback lowered his FY27 gross margin outlook to around 63%, versus a consensus near 67%.

    Operationally, Microsoft is entering what Reback described as a new — though still efficient — phase of elevated spending as it builds and monetizes proprietary AI platforms, a shift likely to weigh on operating margin leverage. While Stifel remains positive on Microsoft’s long-term strategic position, Reback said near-term visibility has become less clear, arguing the stock is unlikely to re-rate until capital spending moderates relative to Azure growth or cloud demand reaccelerates meaningfully.

    DA Davidson cuts Amazon as AWS cedes cloud leadership

    DA Davidson downgraded Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) to Neutral from Buy, warning that the company is losing its leadership position in cloud computing and showing early strategic strain in an AI-driven retail landscape. The firm lowered its price target to $175, arguing Amazon is now playing catch-up through increasingly aggressive investment.

    Analyst Gil Luria said AWS continues to trail Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud. While AWS posted 24% year-over-year growth, Google Cloud accelerated to 48%, and Azure grew 39% despite capacity constraints. Luria highlighted Amazon’s lack of a frontier AI research lab and the absence of a flagship partnership like Microsoft’s alliance with OpenAI as factors driving customer preference toward rivals.

    Falling behind, he warned, is forcing Amazon into heavier spending, pointing to more than $200 billion in projected capex. Luria suggested Amazon may ultimately need to pursue a $50 billion OpenAI investment to remain competitive in frontier AI models. He also raised concerns that Amazon’s retail business could face a structural disadvantage in a chat-centric internet dominated by Gemini and ChatGPT, where merchants embedded directly in leading AI platforms may gain superior traffic and advertising leverage.

    Wolfe sees massive long-term upside in Tesla robotaxis, but near-term pressure

    Wolfe Research said Tesla’s (NASDAQ: TSLA) robotaxi platform could become a major long-term growth engine, estimating the business could scale to $250 billion in annual revenue by 2035 as autonomous adoption expands. Analyst Emmanuel Rosner described 2026 as a catalyst-heavy year, with investor focus on robotaxi rollout, Optimus production, and the launch of unsupervised full self-driving.

    Wolfe’s model assumes 30% autonomous penetration, a 50% market share for Tesla, and pricing of $1 per mile, which could support roughly $2.75 trillion in equity value, or about $900 billion on a discounted basis. Additional upside could come from Optimus and FSD licensing.

    Despite the long-term optimism, Rosner remains cautious on near-term fundamentals, sitting below consensus earnings estimates for 2026 and 2027. He expects margin pressure from higher costs, pricing dynamics, and changes in FSD monetization, along with heavy AI-related investment weighing on earnings. Still, strong momentum in Tesla’s energy storage business provides some offset, and Wolfe remains tactically constructive given the steady flow of upcoming catalysts.

    Truist tells investors to “buy the dip” in AMD

    Truist Securities reiterated a bullish long-term view on AMD (NASDAQ: AMD), urging investors to buy the weakness after the stock fell more than 14% over the past week to its lowest level since October 2025. Analyst William Stein said AMD continues to compound earnings at roughly a 45% CAGR through 2030, while trading at just 11x estimated 2030 EPS.

    Although fourth-quarter results benefited from a one-off China-related dynamic, AMD still reaffirmed its outlook for 60% data-center growth and 35% overall sales growth, which management believes could drive more than $20 in EPS by 2030. Stein cited strong customer engagement, accelerating adoption of Instinct MI350 GPUs, and solid demand for fifth-generation EPYC processors as key drivers. Truist raised its 2027 EPS forecast and lifted its price target to $283, arguing long-term fundamentals outweigh short-term noise.

    Jefferies warns Palantir valuation still has room to fall

    Jefferies said Palantir Technologies (NASDAQ: PLTR) remains vulnerable to further downside despite a steep year-to-date decline of roughly 27%. Analyst Brent Thill emphasized that the call is based on valuation rather than fundamentals, noting that even after compressing from 73x to about 31x forward revenue, Palantir still trades at nearly double the valuation of other large-cap software peers.

    While acknowledging improving fundamentals, expanding addressable markets, and strengthening competitive positioning, Thill argued that valuation risk outweighs operational progress. The stock’s premium leaves it highly sensitive to shifts in AI sentiment and broader software sector trends. Jefferies believes cooling enthusiasm could push Palantir toward more sustainable valuation levels, reiterating its Underperform rating and $70 price target, even after strong quarterly results failed to justify the stock’s elevated multiple.

    Sources: Vahid Karaahmetovic

  • Wall Street Calls: Weekly Highlights

    Best Buy (BBY)

    What happened?

    On Monday, JPMorgan downgraded Best Buy (NYSE: BBY) to Neutral with a $76 price target.

    TL;DR

    JPMorgan turns cautious on BBY. Seller pressure remains heavy, upside is capped, and the stock struggles to break out — “Run, Forrest, run.”

    The full story

    JPMorgan cut BBY to Neutral from Overweight and set a December 2026 price target of $76, based on 12x P/E and 5.5x EV/EBITDA using its 2026 estimates.

    The firm expects a tough 4Q25, with punishing year-over-year comparisons in 2Q and 3Q that mute any consumer recovery rally. Computing faces meaningful pressure just as macro tailwinds fade. While tax stimulus could briefly lift demand, JPM sees limited durability: a short-lived boost from the Nintendo Switch 2 (adding ~2.3 points of comp in 2Q) and the October Windows 10 end-of-support event fail to change the bigger picture.

    Rising memory prices — potentially doubling — threaten computing, which makes up over 35% of sales, undercutting what had been mid-single-digit growth from replacement demand. Meanwhile, housing remains weak, while TVs (20%+ of revenue) and appliances (11%) continue to struggle amid aggressive pricing and limited feature-driven upgrades.

    Crowded short positioning and stimulus optimism could push shares back into the $70s, but JPM sees this as a classic “can’t see the forest for the trees” setup. With sellers positioned higher, the firm steps aside.

    SoFi (SOFI)

    What happened?

    On Tuesday, JPMorgan upgraded SoFi (NASDAQ: SOFI) to Overweight and lifted its price target to $31.

    TL;DR

    Momentum is real, and the recent pullback looks like a gift — not a red flag. Happy New Year.

    The full story

    SoFi shares are down about 10% since the company’s Q4 earnings call on January 30, even as the S&P 500 has barely moved. JPMorgan views the selloff as disconnected from fundamentals, coming on the heels of record quarterly results and 2026 adjusted EBITDA guidance that surpassed expectations.

    The firm points to strong and accelerating momentum across the business. SoFi continues to add members and deposits at record levels, standing out as many competing fintechs face outflows or stalled growth. Elevated marketing spend through 2025 and into the first half of 2026 is seen as a strategic advantage, helping attract and retain higher-quality customers.

    With a nearly $40 billion loan portfolio now producing meaningful GAAP earnings — even excluding non-cash fair-value adjustments — alongside growing fee revenue from the Tech Platform and expanding products like SoFi Plus, JPM argues the company has reached real scale. That combination, in its view, supports a premium valuation and underpins the upgrade.

    Booking Holdings (BKNG)

    What happened?

    On Wednesday, Mizuho upgraded Booking Holdings (NASDAQ: BKNG) to Outperform and reiterated its $6,000 price target.

    TL;DR

    Mizuho turns bullish on BKNG. Buy the fear — roughly 30% upside ahead.

    The full story

    Mizuho raised BKNG to Outperform from Neutral while holding its $6,000 price target, implying about 30% upside and a compelling 2.7x bull/bear skew.

    Shares are down 16% since the recent selloff, underperforming peers (Expedia +6%, Airbnb -1%) and the broader market (Nasdaq +2%), even as 2027 EPS estimates have risen roughly 4%. The firm dismisses concerns that generative AI will bypass online travel agencies and drive consumers directly to hotels, characterizing the narrative as exaggerated market fear rather than a structural threat.

    Valuation has become increasingly attractive. BKNG now trades at 17.8x next-twelve-month consensus P/E, a full standard deviation below its three-year average of 20.6x, and around 16x projected 2027 GAAP EPS.

    For investors who missed the November selloff, Mizuho frames the current setup as another clear opportunity: sentiment has overshot fundamentals, and fear is once again creating an entry point.

    Qualcomm (QCOM)

    What happened?

    On Thursday, Bank of America downgraded Qualcomm (NASDAQ: QCOM) to Neutral and cut its price target to $155.

    TL;DR

    Handset demand is collapsing, QCT is in trouble, and near-term catalysts are nowhere to be found. BofA looks elsewhere.

    The full story

    BofA downgraded QCOM from Buy to Neutral and slashed its price target from $215 to $155, lowering its valuation multiple to 13.5x FY27E P/E, down from 17x previously.

    The call centers on worsening handset fundamentals. Smartphones account for roughly 74% of QCT revenue, and unit volumes are now expected to fall about 15% this year, a sharp deterioration from prior expectations of a modest 2% decline. Memory pricing volatility continues to pressure the ecosystem, weighing on demand across the supply chain, with even ARM and MediaTek feeling the strain.

    Competitive dynamics add to the pain. Samsung has taken roughly 25% share, Apple is expected to reduce reliance on Qualcomm later this year, and China demand is fading following a holiday-driven surge. As a result, BofA forecasts QCT revenue to decline 1.5% in FY26.

    While Qualcomm trades at a seemingly cheap ~12x FY27E earnings, the firm sees little reason for multiple expansion. With no clear near-term catalysts and both cyclical and structural headwinds building, BofA steps to the sidelines.

    Amazon (AMZN)

    What happened?

    On Friday, DA Davidson downgraded Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) to Neutral and cut its price target to $175.

    TL;DR

    AWS is losing momentum versus faster-moving rivals, AI leadership gaps are widening, and rising capex clouds the risk/reward. DA Davidson steps back.

    The full story

    DA Davidson downgraded Amazon from Buy to Neutral, arguing that AWS’s dominance is beginning to erode under competitive pressure. While AWS is growing at roughly 24%, rivals are accelerating faster—Google Cloud at 48% and Azure at 39%—driven by stronger AI ecosystems, frontier-model partnerships, and perceived leadership rather than arguments around scale.

    The firm highlights growing concerns around AWS’s AI stack. Trainium continues to lag Google’s TPUs, and customers appear increasingly willing to shift workloads accordingly. In retail, DA Davidson sees strategic risk from limited deep integration with leading conversational AI platforms such as Gemini or ChatGPT, potentially allowing competing commerce platforms to capture merchant traffic and advertising dollars. Internal efforts, including Rufus and broader “horizontal model” initiatives, are viewed as slow to gain traction. Even Amazon’s early investment in Anthropic is seen as less differentiating as competition intensifies.

    Meanwhile, capital expenditures are surging beyond $200 billion, raising questions about return on investment and whether Amazon may need to pursue costly external AI partnerships simply to remain competitive. Although revenue growth remains solid at around 13% and backlog continues to build, the firm believes the balance of risk has shifted.

    DA Davidson concludes that Amazon’s scale no longer guarantees leadership, and that caution—not blind confidence—is warranted at current levels.

    Sources: Garrett Cook

  • Shifting Toward Consumer Staples as a Defensive Play in 2026

    The opening weeks of the year have underscored how rapidly investor sentiment can change. In early 2026, markets saw a clear rotation into consumer staples, a sector traditionally favored for its defensive characteristics. As technology stocks came under pressure from elevated valuations and growing doubts about the durability of the AI-driven rally, consumer staples emerged as a relative safe haven.

    The Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLP), a widely followed benchmark, climbed roughly 13% year-to-date through early February—one of its strongest starts in more than ten years. By contrast, technology shares fell by about 3% over the same period, reflecting a classic shift toward lower-risk assets.

    Why Investors Are Seeking Safety

    The drivers behind this rotation are varied but grounded in clear logic. After years of leadership fueled by AI enthusiasm and an extended period of low interest rates, technology entered 2026 with lofty expectations. Rising concerns over escalating AI capital expenditures, potential regulatory pressure, and a more normalized rate environment triggered a wave of profit-taking.

    At the same time, broader macro signals—including softening labor market conditions, pockets of persistent inflation, and heightened geopolitical risks—pushed investors toward more stable areas of the market. Consumer staples fit that role well. Demand for everyday necessities such as food, beverages, household goods, and tobacco alternatives remains steady, supporting reliable earnings, consistent dividend payouts, and lower overall volatility.

    This shift mirrors historical patterns in which periods of uncertainty or market broadening drive capital away from high-growth, cyclical sectors and into defensive ones. Amid broader market pullbacks this year, consumer staples have stood out as one of the few areas of relative strength, drawing significant inflows as investors reduce risk. The sector’s limited sensitivity to economic cycles—consumers continue to buy essentials like toothpaste, soap, and snacks regardless of conditions—offers a cushion when discretionary spending weakens.

    Consumer Staples Stocks Reaching Yearly Highs

    Established industry leaders have been at the forefront of this move, combining defensive stability with incremental growth drivers. Philip Morris International (NYSE: PM) has been a notable example, with shares posting solid gains in early 2026 following a strong fourth-quarter 2025 earnings report. The company’s ongoing shift toward smoke-free alternatives—such as IQOS heated tobacco products and Zyn nicotine pouches—has delivered robust volume growth, more than offsetting declines in traditional cigarette sales.

    Philip Morris exceeded Q4 expectations, reporting adjusted earnings per share of $1.70, up 9.7% year over year, alongside revenue growth of 6.8%. The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), reflecting stable near-term expectations. Consensus forecasts call for full-year 2026 EPS of roughly $8.34, representing nearly 11% annual growth, supported by strong pricing power and continued momentum in emerging markets.

    Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO) completes the list of standout performers, benefiting from its unmatched global brand presence in beverages. Continued volume growth in emerging markets, along with broader diversification into non-carbonated offerings, has helped sustain the company’s momentum. Coca-Cola’s attractive dividend yield and dependable payout profile make the stock particularly appealing in income-focused environments. Currently holding a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), consensus estimates suggest a steady, incremental improvement in earnings per share.

    Bottom Line

    These sector leaders highlight the core appeal of consumer staples: dependable, recurring revenue from essential products; strong balance sheets that support consistent dividends—often in the 3–4% yield range; and modest growth driven by innovation or international expansion. Valuations across the sector remain reasonable relative to growth prospects, with many names trading at forward price-to-earnings multiples in the high teens to low 20s, well below the elevated valuations seen in much of the technology space.

    As recession concerns quietly build amid a softening labor market, consumer staples offer credible downside protection without materially compromising long-term total returns. For well-diversified portfolios, the sector serves as a stabilizing anchor—delivering steady performance in increasingly uncertain market conditions.

    Sources: Bryan Hayes

  • Bitcoin Confronts the Quantum Clock

    Over the past year, market attention has largely centered on bitcoin’s price volatility and shifting investor sentiment. Headlines were dominated by discussions around regulation, adoption, and inflation. Meanwhile, a more subtle but potentially significant risk has been developing in the background: advances in quantum computing. Bitcoin has recently come under pressure as investors begin to factor in these concerns, prompting renewed debate over the cryptocurrency’s long-term security and durability.

    Introduction

    Rapid progress in quantum computing is raising fresh questions about the future security of blockchain-based systems. Bitcoin’s network depends on cryptographic algorithms to protect transactions and verify ownership, and researchers are increasingly examining whether sufficiently powerful quantum computers could one day compromise these safeguards.

    These worries are no longer confined to academic circles. Christopher Wood, Jefferies’ global head of equity strategy, recently removed bitcoin from his model portfolio, citing the risk that breakthroughs in quantum computing could erode the cryptographic foundations underpinning the asset. He cautioned that any successful attack would call into question bitcoin’s credibility as a long-term store of value.

    The Quantum Computing Threat

    Quantum computing is widely viewed as the next major leap in computational technology. Traditional computers process information using binary bits—either a 0 or a 1. Quantum computers, by contrast, rely on quantum bits, or qubits, which can exist in multiple states simultaneously due to a phenomenon known as superposition. When combined with other quantum effects such as entanglement and interference, this capability allows quantum systems to solve certain classes of problems far more efficiently than classical machines.

    Timothy Hollebeek, Industry Standards Strategist at DigiCert, offers a helpful analogy: classical computing is like navigating a maze by testing one route at a time, while a quantum computer can explore all possible paths simultaneously. This parallelism is what makes quantum computers especially powerful for tasks involving complex mathematics, including factoring large numbers and uncovering patterns within massive datasets.

    Recent breakthroughs highlight the promise of quantum technology. Google’s quantum processor, Willow, reportedly completed a specialized computation in under five minutes—an exercise that would take classical supercomputers an impractically long time to finish. The chip is estimated to be roughly 13,000 times faster than the world’s most powerful traditional systems for that task. Achievements like this help explain why quantum computing is drawing growing interest across sectors such as healthcare, logistics, and materials research.

    Still, despite the enthusiasm, quantum computing remains in its early developmental phase. Current systems face significant technical limitations. Qubits are highly fragile, must operate at temperatures close to absolute zero, and are extremely sensitive to environmental noise, which can introduce errors. Even in tightly controlled settings, sustaining a stable quantum state for more than a short duration remains challenging. For instance, Google’s Willow chip uses 105 qubits, whereas practical, fault-tolerant quantum computers would likely require thousands of reliably connected and stable qubits.

    The rapid progress of quantum computing has prompted renewed scrutiny of the long-term security of cryptography-dependent digital systems, including cryptocurrencies. Because bitcoin’s architecture rests on assumptions about the limits of computational power, any transformative advance in computing naturally warrants closer evaluation.

    The Real Threats That Could Undermine Bitcoin’s Value

    “Quantum computers are not a matter of if, but when,” said Timothy Hollebeek, Industry Standards Strategist at DigiCert—a sentiment that helps explain why quantum advancements are increasingly viewed as a potential long-term risk to bitcoin’s security and valuation.

    The most significant risk centers on Shor’s algorithm, a quantum method capable of compromising the elliptic curve digital signature algorithm (ECDSA) that bitcoin relies on to verify ownership of funds. Under today’s classical computing constraints, deriving a private key from a public key is computationally infeasible. However, in a future with sufficiently powerful quantum computers, this assumption may no longer hold. In theory, an attacker could extract a private key from its corresponding public key in a relatively short period, enabling unauthorized transfers of funds.

    The quantum risk is not evenly spread across the bitcoin network. Roughly 25% of all bitcoins—more than 5 million BTC—are held in so-called “vulnerable” addresses, including early P2PK addresses and reused P2PKH addresses. This category also encompasses the estimated 1.1 million BTC attributed to Satoshi Nakamoto. These holdings are more exposed because their public keys are already visible on the blockchain, making them potential targets for quantum-enabled attacks. If even a fraction of these coins were moved by a quantum adversary, the resulting supply shock could be severe, shaking confidence in bitcoin’s ownership framework and placing significant downward pressure on prices.

    Even newer address formats are not entirely risk-free under extreme assumptions. One commonly cited theoretical vulnerability involves transactions sitting in the mempool—the queue of unconfirmed transactions shared across network nodes. In this scenario, a sufficiently advanced quantum computer could detect a transaction before it is confirmed, derive the corresponding private key in real time, and submit a competing transaction that redirects the funds. Although highly speculative, this example illustrates how execution speed could become as critical as raw computational power.

    Beyond outright theft, quantum computing could also erode trust in bitcoin’s neutrality and privacy. Through Grover’s algorithm, quantum-capable miners could gain a disproportionate advantage in proof-of-work mining, increasing the risk of mining centralization. If a single entity accumulated enough influence, it could censor transactions or reorganize blocks, undermining bitcoin’s decentralised ethos.

    Another frequently cited risk is the concept of “harvest now, decrypt later,” where encrypted blockchain data is collected today with the expectation that future quantum computers could decrypt it. While this would not alter historical transactions, it could reveal identities behind pseudonymous wallets or expose past activity, weakening perceived privacy guarantees.

    These technical risks are increasingly showing up in market behavior. By early 2026, quantum-related concerns had moved beyond abstract theory and begun to affect investor positioning. Bitcoin, for instance, lagged gold by roughly 6.5% year-to-date, while gold advanced about 55% over the same period. As a result, the bitcoin-to-gold ratio fell to around 19 BTC per ounce, signaling a more cautious stance toward bitcoin among investors.

    Bitcoin Relative to Gold

    How Bitcoin Could Be Compromised—and Why It Remains Resilient

    At present, Bitcoin depends on elliptic curve cryptography (ECC)—specifically the secp256k1 curve—to generate public and private keys. Transactions are authenticated using ECDSA signatures, a system that is secure against classical computers but could be vulnerable to sufficiently advanced quantum machines. If that were to happen, both fund ownership and transaction integrity could be at risk.

    One practical solution is the adoption of post-quantum cryptography (PQC), which is designed to withstand quantum attacks. Rather than requiring a complete overhaul of the network, PQC could be introduced incrementally, allowing vulnerable cryptographic components to be replaced over time.

    Under a PQC framework, security would be reinforced through a three-layer defense. Kyber would protect communications between nodes and wallets, preventing interception or eavesdropping. Dilithium would handle transaction verification and safeguard private keys against quantum-enabled attacks. SPHINCS+ would ensure the integrity of transaction records, effectively giving each transaction a unique, tamper-resistant cryptographic fingerprint.

    Bitcoin is not a static system. In January 2026, the first “Bitcoin Quantum” testnets began experimenting with post-quantum cryptography using NIST-standardised algorithms such as ML-DSA (formerly Dilithium). These trials demonstrated that quantum-resistant upgrades can be tested safely before any network-wide rollout. Such technologies strengthen transaction validation, data transmission, and record integrity, helping ensure bitcoin’s durability in a future shaped by quantum computing. Previous upgrades—including SegWit and Taproot—illustrate that bitcoin can evolve without disrupting network operations.

    Resilience is not purely technical; it is also economic and social. A visible quantum-related attack would pose an immediate threat to bitcoin’s value, creating strong incentives for miners, developers, exchanges, and large holders to coordinate a rapid response. Historically, the network has shown an ability to converge quickly on practical solutions when facing systemic risks. Moreover, quantum computing is advancing incrementally, giving bitcoin ample time to prepare, test, and deploy defensive measures before the threat becomes acute. In this context, resilience is about managing technological change carefully rather than attempting to stop it outright.

    Bitcoin’s robustness is rooted in both its architecture and its incentives. The network has no central authority, physical headquarters, or kill switch. Its ledger is maintained by thousands of independent nodes globally, eliminating single points of failure. A fixed supply cap of 21 million coins guards against monetary inflation, while the proof-of-work mechanism—secured by vast computational resources—makes large-scale attacks prohibitively expensive.

    Widespread adoption further reinforces this resilience. By 2024, an estimated 500 million people held bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies, while institutional participation expanded through ETFs, hedge funds, pension funds, and even sovereign entities. As bitcoin becomes increasingly embedded in the global financial system, the economic and political costs of attempting to disrupt it continue to rise. Major stakeholders now have strong incentives to preserve long-term stability rather than undermine it.

    Some observers, including Michael Saylor, have argued that a shift to quantum-resistant addresses could materially affect bitcoin’s market dynamics. If the network were to establish a migration deadline, coins held in legacy addresses—whose owners have lost access or passed away—could become permanently inaccessible. This would effectively remove millions of bitcoins from circulation, tightening supply and increasing scarcity. While the timing and market response remain uncertain, such a transition underscores the intricate relationship between technological evolution and bitcoin’s economic framework.

    Conclusion

    Quantum computing poses challenges that extend well beyond bitcoin, as many digital platforms and internet communications depend on the same public-key cryptographic systems that could eventually be vulnerable to quantum attacks. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has suggested that truly practical quantum computers may still be 15 to 30 years away, providing a meaningful window for industries to prepare and adapt.

    In the meantime, leading technology firms are already moving to address these risks. Microsoft, for instance, is incorporating post-quantum cryptography (PQC) into its core software libraries and working alongside global standards organizations to develop quantum-resistant protocols for secure communications.

    Together, these initiatives indicate that both the broader technology sector and the cryptocurrency ecosystem are actively planning for a post-quantum future, testing and deploying safeguards well ahead of the arrival of commercially viable quantum computers.

    Sources: Charles-Henry Monchau

  • AI, Energy Security, and Rate Cuts Bolster the U.S. Growth Outlook

    The U.S. and Iran are holding talks in Oman today focused on dismantling Iran’s nuclear program. Washington is pushing Tehran to halt uranium enrichment, scale back its ballistic missile development, and withdraw support for regional proxy groups that contribute to instability in the Middle East. Iran, however, has stated it is only prepared to negotiate on nuclear-related issues. If discussions collapse, the risk of renewed U.S. military action rises, underscored by the significant U.S. naval presence in the region. That said, Iran recently seized two oil tankers ahead of the talks and later described the discussions as “positive.”

    Following the meeting, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on state television that both sides could reach a framework for future negotiations if talks continue along the same lines. He emphasized that the dialogue remains limited strictly to nuclear matters, with no broader issues under consideration. Given Iran’s history of prolonging negotiations and the U.S. military buildup aimed at Iranian nuclear and defense assets, it remains to be seen how long Washington will tolerate a narrow scope of engagement.

    Meanwhile, despite some concerns on Wall Street about OpenAI’s momentum, activity in the data center sector continues to accelerate. Super Micro Computer (SMCI) reported a 123% year-over-year jump in fourth-quarter revenue to $12.7 billion, while earnings climbed to $0.69 per share. The company delivered a 22.1% revenue beat and a 40.8% earnings surprise, along with upbeat forward guidance. As one of Nvidia’s largest customers, Super Micro’s results suggest Nvidia could also deliver a strong upside surprise, even as analysts forecast robust growth of 66.7% in sales and 71.1% in earnings.

    AI-driven productivity gains are expected to continue supporting stronger GDP growth. The data center expansion shows no signs of slowing, underscoring the durability of the AI revolution. Nvidia’s upcoming Vera Rubin GPU—offering five times the performance and ten times the energy efficiency of the Blackwell architecture—is likely to trigger a multi-year AI hardware replacement cycle. At the same time, pricing for advanced chips and memory remains resilient, allowing AI demand to sustain strong profitability across the semiconductor ecosystem, including Nvidia (NVDA), Micron (MU), and Seagate Technology (STX).

    The U.S. economy is experiencing a powerful growth phase, with annual GDP growth of 5% potentially driven by an estimated $20 trillion in onshoring investments across data centers, semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, and automotive manufacturing. Energy independence gives the U.S. a structural advantage over global peers, as manufacturers can avoid tariffs by relocating production domestically. In addition, U.S. support for increased crude oil output in Venezuela should help keep global oil prices contained over the medium term.

    Overall, the U.S. continues to outperform globally in domestic growth. With Kevin Warsh nominated as the next Federal Reserve Chair, the U.S. dollar is expected to strengthen further. While AI is clearly enhancing productivity, it is also contributing to job displacement across corporate America. As a result, the Federal Reserve is likely to cut policy rates at least three times this year amid ongoing labor market concerns. These rate cuts should, in turn, help lift consumer confidence in the months ahead.

    Sources: Louis Navellier

  • Amazon shares slide after 2026 capex forecast far exceeds expectations

    Amazon.com (NASDAQ: AMZN) reported quarterly revenue that topped expectations on Thursday, but markets focused on the company’s 2026 capital expenditure forecast of roughly $200 billion—far above what analysts had anticipated.

    Shares ended Friday down 5.55%, though they pared earlier losses as a broad rally on Wall Street boosted risk assets.

    The results arrive amid a notable rotation out of technology stocks into other sectors. Investor sentiment has shifted from viewing the tech sector broadly as an AI beneficiary to a more selective approach, with clear winners and losers emerging. Software firms have been singled out as laggards, with weakness spreading to chipmakers and the wider tech space.

    Concerns around stretched valuations and aggressive spending plans have also weighed on sentiment. Amazon’s projected $200 billion in 2026 capex significantly exceeded the consensus estimate of $146.11 billion.

    Despite those concerns, Morgan Stanley analyst Brian Nowak struck an optimistic tone, noting that AWS is gaining momentum with stronger growth ahead, while Amazon’s retail business continues to improve efficiency. Although the company is ramping up investment across AWS, Retail, and its low-Earth-orbit initiatives, Nowak highlighted Amazon’s solid history of delivering returns on invested capital, keeping the firm bullish on what it views as an underappreciated GenAI leader.

    Amazon’s guidance followed closely on the heels of Alphabet (NASDAQ: GOOGL), which also surprised investors earlier in the week with plans to spend as much as $185 billion in capital expenditures in 2026.

    On the earnings front, Amazon narrowly missed profit expectations, posting earnings of $1.95 per share—one cent below forecasts—on revenue of $213.39 billion for Q4 2025, representing a 13.6% year-over-year increase. Revenue exceeded the consensus estimate of $211.27 billion.

    Emarketer principal analyst Sky Canaves described the results as slightly mixed, citing strong overall revenue growth and a notable acceleration in the cloud business, which had been closely watched by investors.

    Looking ahead, Amazon forecast first-quarter 2026 revenue in the range of $173.5 billion to $178.5 billion, compared with analyst expectations of $175.2 billion.

    CEO Andy Jassy said the company plans to invest heavily in areas such as AI, custom chips, robotics, and low-Earth-orbit satellites, adding that Amazon expects these investments to generate strong long-term returns on invested capital despite the elevated spending outlook.

    An overview of AWS

    For Amazon, one of the Magnificent Seven, Amazon Web Services (AWS) sits at the core of its AI strategy and remains its fastest-expanding business. AWS generated $35.58 billion in revenue in Q4, marking a 23.6% year-over-year increase. Beyond cloud services, the unit includes Amazon’s AI development platforms and infrastructure—such as Bedrock—as well as products like Alexa and Polly.

    According to Emarketer analyst Canaves, AWS delivered an uncommon performance in Q4 by outpacing the advertising segment’s growth while also improving operating margins. Amazon has also deepened its exposure to AI through a substantial investment in Anthropic, the startup behind the Claude AI models.

    Amazon revealed in October that it had added 3.8 gigawatts of cloud computing capacity over the past year—more than any rival provider. CEO Andy Jassy noted during the earnings call that AWS’s power capacity has doubled since 2022 and is expected to double again by 2027.

    UBS has argued that the market is not fully accounting for the implications of Amazon’s aggressive capital expenditure plans. The bank raised its combined CapEx forecast for 4Q25–4Q27 to $344 billion from $300 billion, including an increase in AWS investment estimates from $225 billion to $260 billion.

    UBS analysts Stephen Ju and Vanessa Fong believe Amazon shares remain undervalued, as neither they nor broader markets are factoring in the possibility that AWS revenue could double by 2028. They estimate this scenario could generate an additional $20 billion in free cash flow that year.

    Despite these growth drivers, Amazon’s stock has lagged its Magnificent Seven peers. Shares rose just 5.2% in 2024—the weakest performance among the group—and trailed the S&P 500’s 16.4% gain. Performance in the current year has also been modest, with Amazon up 0.9% year-to-date, compared with the S&P 500’s 0.5% increase.

    While AI continues to attract attention, Amazon’s core business is still its e-commerce, retail, and subscription services—primarily housed in its North America segment. This division posted Q4 revenue of $127.08 billion, up 9.9% year over year.

    Consumer spending faced increasing pressure last year amid economic challenges. The National Retail Federation projects 2025 holiday sales growth of 4.1%, down from 4.3% in 2024, while consumer confidence has recently dropped to its lowest level since May 2014.

    Even so, Amazon’s retail operations showed resilience during the critical holiday season. Canaves noted that profitability in North America improved due to stronger fulfillment efficiency, despite faster delivery rollouts. Meanwhile, Amazon’s AI shopping assistant, Rufus, is gaining adoption and contributing to higher sales among users.

    Sources: Anuron Mitra

  • Macquarie revises its 2026 outlook for gold and silver, setting new price targets

    Macquarie has updated its 2026 outlook for gold and silver, pointing to extreme volatility and recent geopolitical and policy-driven shocks as the main catalysts.

    Strategist Peter Taylor noted that the bank had previously flagged the risk of gold reaching $5,000 per ounce amid concerns surrounding the Federal Reserve chair—a scenario that ultimately materialized. He also warned that silver was vulnerable to a sharp pullback, given its tendency to gap lower.

    Macquarie raised its average gold price forecast for the first quarter of 2026 to $4,590 per ounce from $4,300, while its second-quarter estimate was lifted to $4,300 from $4,200. The bank also increased its full-year 2026 gold forecast to $4,323 per ounce, up from $4,225.

    For silver, the Q1 target was raised sharply to $75 from $55, with the 2026 average forecast increased to $62 from $57.

    Taylor emphasized that market conditions in January were exceptionally volatile, citing events such as threats of a criminal indictment against the Fed chair by the U.S. Department of Justice, the arrest and extradition of Venezuela’s Maduro, renewed focus on Greenland alongside potential tariffs on some NATO countries, and a buildup of military forces around Iran.

    He added that while commodities broadly delivered strong gains, price movements were often detached from underlying fundamentals.

    “Overall, this resulted in one of the strongest monthly performances for the commodities complex in recent history,” Taylor said.

    Macquarie said it is holding off on revising longer-term forecasts for gold and silver, pointing to the ongoing disconnect between fundamentals and the unusually high volatility in precious metals markets.

    Sources: Sam Boughedda

  • Stocks of the week

    Despite a turbulent week that ended with a rebound on Friday, both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq are on track to finish lower, weighed down by steep losses in technology stocks.

    Below are Investing.com’s stocks of the week:

    Walmart

    As volatility rocked the tech sector, investors rotated into more defensive names, lifting Walmart shares by more than 11% over the week. The rally pushed the stock above $130, taking Walmart’s market capitalization past the $1 trillion mark.

    PayPal

    PayPal shares plunged over 20% on Tuesday and are down more than 23% for the week after the company reported fourth-quarter earnings and revenue that fell short of analysts’ forecasts.

    The company also announced a major leadership change, naming Enrique Lores as President and CEO effective March 1, 2026, replacing Alex Chriss.

    Commenting on the results, Wolfe Research analyst Darrin Peller said that while a miss and a weak 2026 outlook were anticipated, both were worse than expected, raising “greater questions around execution and market share and competition.”

    Novo Nordisk

    Novo Nordisk’s stock dropped more than 14% on Tuesday and has slid over 21% in the past week.

    The maker of Wegovy reported fourth-quarter earnings and issued a sales warning for 2026.

    According to BMO Capital analyst Evan Seigerman, the company is facing significant pricing pressure in the U.S. following Trump MFN deals and additional efforts required to maintain access in the obesity treatment market.

    “Although there are early indications of growth for the oral Wegovy pill, pricing concessions on injectable GLP-1 treatments are weighing on overall revenue, effectively offsetting gains from the pill segment.”

    Silicon Laboratories

    Silicon Labs shares jumped more than 48% on Wednesday and are on track to finish the week up roughly 44% after announcing it will be acquired by Texas Instruments.

    Texas Instruments agreed to pay about $231 per share in an all-cash deal, valuing the company at approximately $7.5 billion on an enterprise basis.

    Strategy

    After sliding for much of the week, MSTR rebounded sharply on Friday and is currently up more than 24% for the day. Despite the bounce, the stock is still set to end the week down around 5%.

    The move mirrored Bitcoin’s price action, which fell to around $62,200 on Thursday before rebounding to above $70,100 on Friday.

    In a client note, Benchmark analyst Mark Palmer reaffirmed a Buy rating and a $705 price target, saying the firm remains bullish based on a sum-of-the-parts valuation. This includes the projected value of the company’s Bitcoin holdings by year-end 2026, a 10x multiple on its estimated FY26 Bitcoin gains, and the expected value of its software business by YE26.

    Palmer added that the target assumes Bitcoin reaches $225,000 by the end of 2026.

    Amazon

    Amazon shares fell sharply on Friday, down more than 5%, as investors reacted to the company’s latest quarterly earnings report released after the market closed on Thursday.

    The tech heavyweight exceeded expectations on quarterly revenue but surprised markets by projecting capital spending of roughly $200 billion in 2026, well above forecasts.

    Commenting on the outlook, Morgan Stanley analyst Brian Nowak said AWS is gaining momentum with even stronger growth ahead, while the retail segment continues to improve efficiency. Although Amazon is ramping up investment across AWS, Retail, and LEO, he noted the company’s strong track record in generating returns on invested capital, keeping the firm bullish on what it sees as an underappreciated GenAI leader.

    Sources: Sam Boughedda

  • US Treasury yields reverse course as investors rush to safety

    Early on, some questionable US labor market data set the tone, but the real catalyst was the shift to a risk-off mood. Day two is often decisive. We also cover updates from the ECB and BoE—no policy changes, but plenty of developments.

    A growing sense of decay fuels demand for Treasuries

    Markets reacted sharply to weaker US labor data on Thursday—arguably an overreaction. Challenger job cuts came in elevated, and headlines noting the highest January reading since 2009 quickly raised alarm. However, a higher figure was recorded as recently as October 2025, and the series itself is notoriously volatile.

    A move lower in yields was the appropriate response, but the magnitude was reinforced by subsequent JOLTS data, which showed job openings falling more than expected. Openings remain sizeable at around 6.5 million, though down from 7.2 million. Initial jobless claims also edged higher, but the increase was modest and levels remain low in a broader historical context.

    Broader market dynamics added fuel to the move. A pronounced risk-off backdrop—particularly concerns surrounding private credit—typically channels demand into Treasuries. Technical factors also played a role, with key thresholds giving way: the 10-year yield broke below 4.2%, while the 2-year slipped under 3.45%. While not extreme relative to recent months, the move was nevertheless notable. Hard to fight the move, particularly if the risk-off reassessment proves durable.

    ECB meeting takes a back seat to global risk sentiment

    A dovish tilt from the Bank of England, softer US labor signals, and persistent equity-market jitters have had a greater influence on markets than the ECB, with the 2s10s Bund curve modestly reflattening in a bullish move—still comfortably within recent ranges. The VIX remains elevated, indicating ongoing caution around potential equity volatility. While there has been no broad-based equity sell-off, investors are becoming more discerning about the sustainability of AI-driven business models.

    ECB President Lagarde appeared to downplay the role of the exchange rate in the policy outlook, though our economists see it as a lingering vulnerability in the ECB’s “good place” narrative. In the near term, tail risks remain skewed toward further easing, even as the threshold for a rate cut stays high. Markets are currently pricing roughly a 25% chance of a cut later this year, which we view as reasonable. This pricing keeps the front end of the euro curve well anchored, implying that any further deterioration in global risk sentiment—stemming from outside the euro area—would likely continue to flatten the curve. That said, a concurrent strengthening of the euro would complicate the curve dynamics.

    A dovish BoE fails to outweigh mounting political risks

    Markets reacted far more strongly to the Bank of England meeting than to the ECB, with a March rate cut rapidly becoming the base-case scenario. The BoE’s relatively sparse inter-meeting communication means that policy surprises tend to generate outsized moves, and this meeting delivered just that. The 2-year swap rate dropped around 7bp as the outcome proved more dovish than markets had anticipated. We are broadly aligned with the revised pricing and see considerable scope for easing as inflation continues to soften. Governor Bailey appeared to endorse this view, later remarking that current market pricing for a March cut was “not a bad place to be.”

    Attention now shifts to the long end of the curve, where political risks may continue to exert upward pressure on 30-year gilt yields. Unlike the front end, the 30-year yield actually rose by roughly 3bp on Thursday despite the BoE’s dovish pivot. Political uncertainty—particularly around Starmer’s position as prime minister—adds to doubts over the future fiscal trajectory. Ahead of November’s budget, we had estimated the 10-year gilt risk premium at around 25bp, underscoring investor sensitivity to the UK’s fiscal outlook. Against this backdrop, we see limited scope for 10-year GBP rates to move meaningfully lower in the near term.

    Friday: Key Events and Market Outlook

    Softer US labor indicators weighed on risk sentiment on Thursday. While Friday does not bring the official jobs report, attention will turn to the preliminary University of Michigan consumer sentiment index. Consensus expectations point to a weaker reading, but any sharper-than-anticipated deterioration would likely amplify existing market unease. Consumer credit data, also due on Friday, will be another point of focus.

    In the euro area, the ECB will publish its Survey of Professional Forecasters. Following the ECB meeting, markets will also listen closely to remarks from ECB officials, with Kocher and Cipollone scheduled to speak. Elsewhere, BoE Chief Economist Huw Pill is also on the agenda.

    On the supply side, government issuance is limited, with the only primary market activity being a €0.5bn Belgian ORI auction.

    Sources: Padhraic Garvey

  • BoE and ECB Decisions Drive GBP/USD and EUR/USD Outlooks

    BoE’s Dovish Stance Pressures the Pound

    The Bank of England held its policy rate at 3.75%, but the decision revealed a notably divided committee, with four of the nine members voting in favor of another cut. This close split has reinforced expectations for a rate reduction as soon as March, particularly as inflation continues to ease and wage growth shows signs of cooling.

    The BoE now estimates that wage growth consistent with its 2% inflation target is roughly 3.25%, only slightly below current private-sector pay growth of about 3.6%. With inflation projected to fall toward 1.8% by April, the central bank appears increasingly comfortable with the prospect of further policy easing.

    Governor Andrew Bailey remains a pivotal swing vote, and if upcoming data confirms a softer labor market and moderating pay growth, he is widely expected to back a rate cut at the next meeting. Markets are already pricing in additional easing through the summer months.

    GBP/USD Technical Perspective

    GBP/USD has been trending lower, reflecting expectations of Bank of England rate cuts and a broadly dovish policy outlook.

    On the four-hour chart, the pair continues to trade within a well-defined descending channel, currently hovering around 1.3536. This structure indicates that sellers remain in control for the time being.

    That said, a notable support zone sits near 1.34, aligning with a previous accumulation area. A break lower within the channel could see price gravitate toward that level.

    Conversely, a move above the upper boundary of the channel would signal a shift in momentum and could open the door to a rebound toward the 1.37–1.38 area in the near term.

    Summary:

    • Trend: Bearish, within a descending channel
    • Support: 1.34
    • Resistance: 1.37–1.38
    • Key Catalyst: March Bank of England policy meeting

    ECB Remains Comfortably on Hold

    The European Central Bank left interest rates unchanged, signaling confidence that the eurozone economy remains in a solid position. Inflation is tracking close to the 2% target, growth is stable, and there is little immediate need to either tighten or ease policy.

    That said, past experience suggests the ECB is willing to resume rate cuts after extended pauses if conditions evolve. A meaningful appreciation in the euro or a dip in inflation below target could prompt policymakers to consider a modest “insurance cut” later in the year to guard against undershooting inflation.

    For now, however, the ECB appears comfortable remaining on hold, a stance that has translated into relatively calm market conditions.

    EUR/USD Technical Perspective

    EUR/USD continues to consolidate in a narrow range between 1.1780 and 1.1840, reflecting the ECB’s steady policy stance and a broader lack of directional conviction. Volatility remains subdued, underscoring ongoing market indecision.

    A renewed move lower could develop if expectations build around further ECB easing, or if euro strength becomes a concern for policymakers. Until a clear catalyst emerges, price action is likely to remain range-bound, with consolidation dominating near-term trading.

    Summary:

    • Trend: Sideways / range-bound
    • Range: 1.1780–1.1840
    • Downside risk: A decisive break below 1.1780 would expose a move toward 1.1700
    • Catalyst: Shift in ECB tone or renewed concerns over excessive euro strength

    In short:

    • The BoE’s dovish stance is pressuring the pound, leaving GBP/USD biased lower.
    • The ECB’s steady, wait-and-see approach is keeping the euro supported, though excessive euro strength could revive rate-cut speculation.
    • With both central banks leaning dovish, the next meaningful FX moves are likely to be driven by shifts in rate expectations, not policy surprises.

    Sources: Zorrays Junaid

  • EUR/USD Maintains Uptrend While Consolidating Recent Gains

    EUR/USD remains technically constructive, consolidating after a strong push toward recent highs. While short-term momentum has eased, the price action continues to reflect a pause within a broader uptrend rather than a trend reversal.

    Attention now turns to whether the pair can hold key support levels and reassert upside momentum in the sessions ahead.

    Trend Overview: Higher-High Pattern Remains Intact

    From a medium-term standpoint, EUR/USD continues to exhibit a well-defined bullish structure, marked by a sequence of higher highs and higher lows. The recent pullback comes after a sharp rally and appears corrective, suggesting profit-taking rather than a meaningful change in the underlying trend.

    Notably, downside momentum has been contained, supporting the view that buyers are still stepping in on dips.

    Moving Averages Continue to Act as Dynamic Support

    Price is currently holding near and above the 15-day and 20-day moving averages, both of which continue to slope higher.

    Key technical takeaways:

    • Moving averages are still functioning as dynamic support
    • Pullbacks have been modest relative to the preceding advance
    • No decisive break has occurred to signal deterioration in the trend

    As long as EUR/USD remains above these moving averages, the broader technical outlook stays constructive.

    Momentum: RSI Cools Without Undermining the Trend

    The 14-day RSI has pulled back toward the low-50s after previously reaching elevated readings.

    This momentum behavior suggests:

    • A healthy reset following strong upside momentum
    • Reduced risk of near-term overextension
    • Conditions more consistent with consolidation than exhaustion

    Importantly, there is no clear bearish divergence, reinforcing the view that the broader trend remains intact.

    Key Technical Zone: 1.1780–1.1820 in Focus

    The 1.1780–1.1820 area has become a key technical reference zone:

    • It previously served as resistance prior to the recent breakout
    • It is now acting as near-term support
    • A sustained hold above this range would strengthen the case for bullish continuation

    A failure to hold this zone could allow for a deeper pullback toward the moving averages, though such a move would still be considered corrective unless support is decisively broken.

    Broader Market Backdrop

    EUR/USD continues to be closely influenced by:

    • Broader trends in the U.S. dollar
    • Changes in global risk sentiment
    • Evolving expectations around relative monetary policy trajectories

    For now, the technical backdrop suggests that euro resilience remains intact, as long as external conditions stay broadly supportive.

    Outlook

    EUR/USD appears to be shifting from trend extension into a consolidation phase:

    • Holding above key support: The upside bias remains intact
    • Sideways consolidation: Would help reinforce the durability of the trend
    • Break below moving averages: Needed to meaningfully weaken the outlook

    Until such confirmation occurs, the balance of technical evidence continues to favor the bullish scenario.

    Overall, EUR/USD is consolidating following a strong advance, but the broader technical structure remains supportive. Momentum has eased in a constructive manner, key support levels are holding, and price action continues to point toward stabilization rather than reversal.

    As long as EUR/USD remains above established support zones, the uptrend stays intact, with scope for renewed upside once the consolidation phase resolves.

    Sources: Tafara Tsoka

  • Gold Futures in Accumulation as Cycle Signals Point to a $5,000–$5,170 Breakout

    Gold futures are currently trading around 4,841.7, holding steady above the VC PMI daily Buy 1 level at 4,765 and the Buy 2 support at 4,640. This price action suggests the market has entered a well-defined mean-reversion accumulation zone. It reflects the natural interaction between price and time cycles, where markets extend into extreme areas before reverting toward equilibrium.

    The VC PMI daily mean at 4,905 now acts as the key price magnet. A sustained close above this level would signal the return of bullish momentum, potentially paving the way for a move toward Sell 1 at 5,030 and Sell 2 at 5,170.

    On the weekly timeframe, the VC PMI mean at 5,024 aligns closely with an upper resistance cluster and Square of 9 harmonic geometry. This confluence implies that once price establishes itself above the 4,905 mean, upside momentum could accelerate rapidly toward the 5,000–5,170 zone.

    The Square of 9 framework suggests current price action is progressing through a harmonic relationship between time and price, with the next cycle window extending into mid-February. These cycle windows often mark potential inflection points, where volatility expands and directional conviction strengthens.

    From a structural perspective, maintaining levels above 4,765 preserves the bullish accumulation framework and indicates that institutional demand continues to absorb selling pressure. The deeper support at 4,640 marks the lower extreme of the daily cycle. A decisive break below that level would suggest the market is not yet ready to complete its bullish phase and could prompt a retracement toward lower weekly support zones.

    However, as long as price holds above the 4,640–4,765 support zone, the odds continue to favor a mean-reversion advance toward the 5,030 and 5,170 upside targets.

    By integrating VC PMI price levels, time cycles, and Square of 9 geometry, this framework offers a structured way to identify high-probability turning points. Markets operate in recurring phases of expansion and contraction, and these tools are designed to quantify those cycles with consistency, discipline, and objectivity.

    Sources: Patrick MontesDeOca