The Japanese Yen continues to slide against the US Dollar, even as Japan’s inflation data comes in hotter than expected. The USD/JPY pair has climbed to a three-week high near 146.00, poised for a weekly gain of about 1.2%. This trend raises questions about the forces driving the Yen’s weakness …
Read More »Gold Prices Pull Back Amid Geopolitical and Economic Crosswinds
Gold (XAU/USD) hovers around $3,368, reflecting a pullback from its weekly high of $3,452. Despite short-term pressures, the metal’s medium-term outlook remains robust, driven by persistent geopolitical risks and strong central bank demand. This analysis explores the factors shaping gold’s price action, the broader macroeconomic context, and technical levels to …
Read More »Bitcoin and Broader Crypto Markets Struggle Amid Geopolitical Uncertainty and Hawkish Fed
Bitcoin fell slightly on Friday, continuing its trend of moderate losses for the second consecutive week, while broader crypto markets showed little movement. Despite an improvement in broader risk appetite following U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to delay a decision on U.S. involvement in the Israel-Iran conflict, the world’s largest …
Read More »European Stocks Rebound as U.S. Postpones Iran Decision, Central Banks Signal Dovish Stance
European stocks rose on Friday, recovering from three consecutive sessions of losses, as investors reacted to mixed developments in the Middle East conflict and central bank policies. At 03:15 ET (07:15 GMT), the DAX index in Germany rose 0.8%, the CAC 40 in France climbed 0.6%, and the FTSE 100 …
Read More »U.K. Retail Sales Slump in May Amid Declining Food Store Sales
U.K. retail sales experienced a sharp decline in May, reversing the gains made in April, with food store sales particularly hard-hit. According to data released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) on Friday, retail sales fell by 2.7% month-on-month, following a revised 1.3% increase in April. Economists had anticipated …
Read More »Oil Prices Fall on Trump’s Decision Timeline, but Weekly Gains Continue Amid Tensions
Oil prices fell sharply in Asian trade on Friday, as news of U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision on potential involvement in the Israel-Iran conflict was delayed for two weeks. Despite this dip, oil prices remained on track for their third straight week of gains, with geopolitical concerns in the Middle …
Read More »A Surprise Cut to Zero: SNB’s Risky Bet on Stability
The Swiss National Bank’s unexpected decision to slash its key policy rate to 0% has left the USD/CHF pair idling near 0.8186, subdued by thin trading volumes during the U.S. Juneteenth holiday. This article argues that the SNB’s bold move, aimed at tackling disinflation and the Swiss franc’s strength, risks …
Read More »Explainer: Why Trump’s Push for Rate Cuts Still Clashes with Powell’s Steady Policy
President Donald Trump’s relentless push for lower interest rates, driven by fiscal pressures and economic ambitions, has put him at odds with Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, who has held rates steady at 4.25% to 4.5% for the fourth consecutive meeting. Trump seeks rate cuts to reduce the cost of …
Read More »The Pound’s Surge: A Fragile Rally Amid Economic Risks
The British pound has surged since the Bank of England’s latest interest rate decision, sparking debates about the UK economy’s trajectory and the central bank’s next moves. This article argues that while the pound’s rally reflects confidence in the Bank’s steady hand, persistent economic risks—both domestic and global—could challenge this …
Read More »Geopolitical Tensions Ignite Shipping Costs and Stocks
From June 13 to June 19, 2025, maritime shipping costs, prices, and stock performance surged, driven by escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Freight rates for containers and tankers soared, vessel traffic through critical routes dwindled, and shipping stocks rallied. This volatile week highlights how conflicts disrupt global trade, …
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