Market Update

Oil prices made modest gains in Asian trade on Thursday, boosted by a larger-than-expected draw in U.S. oil inventories, which sparked some optimism around demand. However, the potential for further increases remained tempered by the sustained ceasefire between Israel and Iran, which has reduced concerns over potential disruptions in Middle …

The NATO summit in The Hague on June 24-25, 2025, has thrust defense budgets into sharp focus, with allies pledging to raise spending to 5% of GDP by 2035, up from the prior 2% target. Fueled by U.S. President Donald Trump’s call for equitable contributions and escalating Russian threats, this …

The Federal Reserve’s proposal to loosen leverage rules for major banks has ignited controversy, with some policymakers signaling opposition. This move, announced on June 25, 2025, aims to adjust the enhanced Supplementary Leverage Ratio (eSLR), a post-2008 crisis measure to bolster banking stability. The debate centers on balancing financial resilience …

The EUR/USD pair extended its bullish run for a fifth straight day on Wednesday, nearing its year-to-date high around 1.1660, up 0.44% during the North American trading session. The euro’s strength was driven by renewed optimism over a U.S.-brokered Middle East ceasefire, which, despite its fragility, fueled risk-on sentiment and …

The US dollar’s recent retreat has stirred global markets, spotlighting tensions in currency pairs, gold prices, and the Canadian dollar’s struggle to hold ground. A ceasefire in the Middle East and cautious remarks from Federal Reserve’s Jerome Powell have shaped this shift, raising questions about what lies ahead for monetary …

U.S. stocks displayed resilience on Wednesday, with the S&P 500 climbing 0.2% and edging within 1% of record highs, driven by tech sector strength and optimism over a U.S.-Qatar-mediated ceasefire between Iran and Israel, announced Tuesday. The Nasdaq surged 0.4%, buoyed by tech stocks like Nvidia, which jumped over 3% …

AeroVironment’s stock surged 21.6% on June 25, 2025, after the drone manufacturer delivered a fourth-quarter performance that exceeded expectations. The company’s strong earnings and revenue figures, coupled with record annual revenue, signal robust growth in the defense tech sector. This essay argues that AeroVironment’s results highlight the rising demand for …

For the third straight day, Bitcoin continues its climb, fueled by a wave of market optimism. This upswing is driven by easing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and growing hopes for positive developments in U.S. trade relations with key partners. Bitcoin rose to $107,522 per unit, up from the …

The Japanese Yen’s recent slide against the US Dollar sparks a question: is the Bank of Japan (BoJ) too cautious for its own good? The USD/JPY pair climbed 0.45% to 145.75 on Wednesday, rebounding from the 21-day EMA support near 144.60. Meanwhile, the BoJ’s latest Summary of Opinions reveals a …

The Federal Reserve’s approach to monetary policy remains steady yet vigilant, as highlighted by Chairman Jerome Powell during his recent testimony on the Semi-Annual Monetary Policy Report before the Senate Banking Committee. The focus? Inflation trends and the enduring strength of the U.S. dollar as the global reserve currency. Here’s …