Market Update

Oil prices held largely steady in Asian trading on Monday, as markets balanced the growing risk of supply disruptions from escalating unrest in Iran against the prospect of additional barrels returning from Venezuela. Brent crude futures for March delivery edged up 0.1% to $63.39 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas …

The first trading week of 2026 did not begin like any conventional year; instead, it was packed with momentous events that defined the economic and political trends for the coming period. From the start of the month through January 9th, financial markets faced a “triangle” of pivotal developments: US military …

Mixed Jobs Data Lifts the Dollar, but Concerns Linger: The U.S. dollar rebounded on Friday after employment data showed a mixed picture, with uneven trends in job creation, unemployment, and wage growth. While the figures provided short-term support for the currency, they failed to fully dispel broader concerns about the …

U.S. stock indexes rose as investors digested mixed employment data, with job growth slowing slightly while unemployment edged lower. The market remains sensitive to upcoming economic indicators and corporate earnings.Bank Earnings Kick OffNext week marks the start of earnings season for major banks, with JPMorgan Chase reporting first. These results …

Richmond Federal Reserve President Tom Barkin commented on the U.S. labor market, highlighting a steady overall picture but noting that hiring remains concentrated in specific sectors such as healthcare and AI. While unemployment has declined, the broader job market shows limited expansion beyond these areas. Key Observations The drop in …

Gold prices climbed on Friday, heading for a weekly gain as investors reacted to weaker-than-expected U.S. payroll data and ongoing geopolitical and policy uncertainty. Spot gold traded at around $4,496 per ounce, on track for nearly a 4% gain over the week, following a record high of $4,549 hit in …

The U.S. Supreme Court is set to issue rulings on Wednesday, including a landmark case challenging President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs on foreign imports. The decision is being closely watched by investors, businesses, and policymakers, as it could reshape presidential authority, trade relations, and market dynamics.Trump’s Tariff Policy in FocusTrump …

The U.S. 10-year Treasury yield edged slightly higher on Friday, settling near 4.17%, as investors reassessed economic signals following the latest employment data and broader market developments.The modest uptick reflected a cautious tone in bond markets, with traders weighing signs of slowing job growth against continued resilience in the U.S. …

Job Growth Slows at Year-End:The U.S. labor market ended 2025 on a noticeably softer note, with employers adding just 50,000 jobs in December. The figure came in below expectations and confirmed a steady loss of momentum in hiring that has unfolded throughout the year. Companies appear increasingly cautious, prioritizing cost …

Markets recalibrate as the US Dollar strengthens amid mixed economic signals.The US Dollar continued its upward momentum against the Japanese Yen on Friday, with USD/JPY reaching levels not seen since January 2025. The pair is trading around 158.00, marking a fourth consecutive day of gains and positioning itself for a …