The US dollar experienced significant volatility last week, caught in a tug-of-war between positive and negative market forces. Support from Federal Reserve policymakers, led by Chair Jerome Powell, emphasized a cautious “wait-and-see” approach to interest rate cuts, bolstering the dollar. This stance was reinforced by stronger-than-expected consumer confidence, with the …
Read More »Trade Deal Sparks Record Rally: Can Markets Keep Climbing?
U.S. stock markets hit record highs, fueled by a newly ratified U.S.-China trade deal, as confirmed by Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. The agreement, aimed at strengthening supply chains, eased investor fears. The S&P 500, as shown in the finance card above, rose 0.5% to 614.91, while the Nasdaq matched that …
Read More »Trump’s Trade Talk Exit Shakes Canadian Dollar
The Canadian Dollar (CAD) plunged as U.S. President Donald Trump abruptly ended trade negotiations with Canada. Announced via social media, Trump’s decision to “take his ball and go home” rattled markets, pushing USD/CAD to 1.3750. Compounding the Loonie’s woes, Canada’s GDP contracted by 0.1% in April, signaling economic slowdown. With …
Read More »Silver Stumbles: Will $36 Hold or Crack?
Silver prices slid over 1% on June 27, 2025, dropping from a five-day high of $36.83 to $36.16. The dip followed a rebound in U.S. Treasury yields and a slight dollar recovery, pressuring XAG/USD. A bearish engulfing candlestick pattern emerged, hinting at further declines. Yet, a weekly close above $36.00 …
Read More »Geneva framework: Will Trade Deals Dodge Looming Tariff Storm?
The U.S. dollar surged on news of advancing trade talks, particularly with China. U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick announced that both nations are finalizing a Geneva framework, targeting rare earth minerals essential for tech, from iPhones to military drones. China’s Commerce Ministry confirmed it’s reviewing export controls to ease restrictions, …
Read More »U.S. Consumer Sentiment Ticks Up in June: A Fragile Rebound
In June 2025, U.S. consumer sentiment showed signs of life. The University of Michigan’s Consumer Sentiment Index climbed 16.3% to 60.7, up from May but still 18% below December 2024 levels. A Modest Upturn Amid Economic uneaseThis uptick, though notable, reflects cautious optimism rather than robust confidence. Consumers remain wary, …
Read More »Dollar Rides High on Trade Deal Optimism
Trade Talks Fuel Dollar’s Rise: In June 2025, the U.S. dollar got a shot in the arm from growing optimism over trade negotiations. Reports of nearing agreements between the United States and key trading partners pushed the dollar index, which tracks the greenback against major currencies, to 97.27 points on …
Read More »U.S. Inflation Stays Cool in May: Calm Before the Storm?
Inflation Meets Expectations: In May 2025, U.S. inflation aligned closely with forecasts, offering a moment of stability amid economic uncertainty. The Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) index, favored by Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell for its reliability, rose 0.1% month-over-month, matching both the prior reading and market expectations. Annually, the PCE …
Read More »Explainer: Europe’s Trade Concessions Versus Trump’s Tariff Threat
The European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed readiness to strike a trade deal with the Trump administration, but with caveats. Facing U.S. threats of 50% tariffs by July 9, the EU is open to concessions, particularly on autonomous vehicle regulations, to protect key sectors like autos and steel. …
Read More »U.S. Inflation Data Shows Modest Price Gains in May, Fed’s PCE Index Reflects Stability
The U.S. Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) Price Index, the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation measure, showed a slight increase in May, indicating stable price gains despite ongoing concerns about the economic impact of sweeping U.S. tariffs. The headline PCE inflation for May rose by 0.1% on a month-on-month basis, matching the …
Read More »