Global Market Volatility Amid Geopolitical Escalation and Early Elections in Japan
Global financial markets are experiencing heightened volatility amid escalating geopolitical tensions between allies, particularly between the United States and the European Union, over the issue of “Greenland.” U.S. President Donald Trump has insisted on annexing the island to the United States on the grounds of “national security,” a move that has been firmly rejected by […]
Mixed Chinese Data Reflect an Unbalanced Economy as the Yuan Strengthens to Its Highest Level Since May 2023
Recent Chinese economic data have shown a clear divergence in performance. Retail sales declined on a year-on-year basis in December, recording growth of just 0.9%, below market expectations of 1.1% and the previous reading of 1.3%. Fixed asset investment also weakened, contracting by 3.8% year-on-year, worse than expectations of -3.1% and the prior reading of […]
Brief Overview of Last Week’s Key Economic Events
Last week saw the release of relatively strong economic data across most major economies. In the United States, crude oil inventories rose by more than expected, alongside increasing price pressures reflected in higher headline and core Producer Price Index readings, while consumer inflation remained stable. Manufacturing activity indicators (Philadelphia Fed and Empire State) came in […]
FTSE 100 Hits a Record High Supported by Economic Data and Banking Sector Momentum
The UK’s FTSE 100 index continues its upward trend, reaching 10,251 points yesterday, its highest level on record. The index has risen by around 3% since the beginning of the year to date, outperforming major US equity indices such as the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq 100. The notable rise in the FTSE 100 is […]
Sharp Volatility in Oil Prices Amid Escalating Geopolitical Tensions
Crude oil prices have experienced high volatility since the beginning of the year to date, rising to USD 66.82 per barrel yesterday, their highest level since September 30, 2025. This represents an increase of around 6% from the start of the year, following a negative performance last year when prices declined by approximately 19%. It […]
Rising Pressure on the Federal Reserve and Global Tensions Boost Gold Gains
Gold prices continue their upward trajectory, recording a new all-time high of $4,640 today, up by around 7% since the beginning of the year to date. Both fundamental and technical indicators continue to support gold prices in the period ahead, as the factors that previously underpinned gold remain in place, alongside additional emerging drivers strengthening […]
Markets Mixed: US Stocks Climb While Bonds and Dollar Fall, Concerns Over Federal Reserve Independence
US equity indices closed higher across the board yesterday, specifically the S&P 500, Nasdaq 100, Dow Jones, and Russell 2000, with both the S&P 500 and the Russell 2000 recording new all-time highs. In contrast, US Treasury prices declined across all maturities, implying higher yields due to bond selling. At the same time, the US […]
Brief Overview of Last Week’s Key Economic Events
Last week saw a clear divergence in global economic performance. In the United States, signs of slowing growth dominated the data, with declines in manufacturing indicators, employment figures, and factory orders, offset by relative resilience in the services sector, improved consumer confidence, and continued labor market strength reflected in lower unemployment and higher wages. This […]
The US dollar continues to rise against the Japanese yen amid concerns over potential Bank of Japan intervention
Recent Japanese economic data show weakness in performance, with the Tokyo Consumer Price Index falling 2.3% year-on-year, below expectations of 2.5% and lower than the previous reading of 2.8%. Industrial production declined 2.6% month-on-month, a larger drop than the expected 1.9%, compared with a prior increase of 1.5%. Retail sales, however, grew 1% year-on-year, slightly […]
DAX Outperforms European Peers Despite a Weak Economic Environment
Recent German economic data continue to point to persistent weakness in the German economy. The services Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) recorded a reading of 52.7, slightly above expectations of 52.6 but lower than the previous reading of 53.1. Meanwhile, Germany’s headline consumer price index slowed on a year-on-year basis to 1.8%, coming in below market […]
