Market Update

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 …

U.S. job creation slowed at the end of 2025, with Nonfarm Payrolls increasing by 50,000 in December, according to data released Friday by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The figure came in below market expectations of a 60,000 increase, signaling a softer-than-anticipated finish for the labor market. The weaker reading …

U.S. stock index futures ticked slightly higher on Friday, with investors adopting a cautious stance ahead of two major potential market catalysts: the release of the monthly U.S. jobs report and a possible Supreme Court ruling on the legality of the Trump administration’s global tariffs. By early morning trading, Dow …

Bitcoin traded in a narrow range during Asian hours on Friday, stabilizing after this week’s pullback from an early New Year rebound, as investors remained cautious ahead of key U.S. labor market data that could shape expectations for future interest rate policy. The world’s largest cryptocurrency rose 0.2% to $90,946 …