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🚨 Risk-Off Mood Spreads
The rush into crowded trades is fading fast, as investors pull back from tech, gold and crypto. This isn’t one big shock, but a steady flow of negative news forcing markets to question stretched valuations.
📉 Stocks Under Pressure
US equities slid again, with the S&P 500 down 1.2% and the Nasdaq 100 posting its deepest drop since April. Selling was broad, driven by AI competition fears and concerns over massive tech spending. Amazon sank more than 11% after announcing $200bn in AI investment, while Alphabet and software stocks also moved lower. The defensive tone spilled into Asia and Europe, with chipmakers and global equities under pressure.
🥈 Commodities & Crypto Break Down
Silver collapsed nearly 20%, while Bitcoin dropped over 13%, erasing gains since Trump’s election as leveraged positions were unwound.
🛡 Safety Back in Focus
US Treasuries rallied as investors shifted from chasing returns to protecting capital.
🛢 Oil Stabilises on Geopolitics
Oil rebounded ahead of US-Iran talks, with Brent near $69 and WTI above $64, though crude remains on track for its first weekly loss since mid-December.
⚠️ Bottom Line
This isn’t panic, it’s a reset. Momentum is fading and markets are turning defensive.
Is EURUSD finding its way back into its old range or just catching its breath before the next big move? 📊
In this video, we break down the EURUSD market structure, key support and resistance zones, and technical indicators to see what price action is really telling us.
▶️ What’s driving the current move?
▶️ Where are momentum and trend pointing next?
▶️ Which levels matter most right now?
Do you see EURUSD rotating lower, or is a breakout coming?
Full video here!
🌍 Global Markets
Volatility returned as investors digested political developments in the US and Europe, with markets focusing more on rotation than outright risk-off moves.
🏛 US & Fed: The US government shutdown ended with little market impact. Attention remains on the Fed, as political friction raises the possibility of Powell staying on as FOMC Chair beyond May, a scenario markets view as stabilising.
📉 Equities: US stocks slipped, led by a sell-off in technology. Concerns over AI spending, stretched valuations, and earnings sustainability weighed on names like Nvidia, Microsoft, and PayPal, reinforcing a rotation away from growth.
🌏 Asia Markets: Asian shares were mixed. Japan and Hong Kong eased on tech weakness, while South Korea’s Kospi continued to hit record highs. Software stocks across the region faced pressure amid fears of AI-driven disruption.
🥇 Gold & Silver: Precious metals rebounded sharply after last week’s historic sell-off. Gold reclaimed levels above $5,000, while silver surged as dip buyers returned despite elevated volatility.
🛢 Oil: Oil prices firmed for a second session as geopolitical tensions resurfaced in the Gulf following the downing of an Iranian drone, adding a modest risk premium to crude.
💱 FX: The US dollar was broadly steady. The yen weakened ahead of Japan’s election, while the euro edged higher on expectations of further Eurozone disinflation.
₿ Crypto: Bitcoin stabilised after hitting a more-than-one-year low, but sentiment remains fragile as investors assess downside risks and leverage across the crypto space.
👀 Trader Takeaway: Markets are rotating, not panicking. Expect volatility to stay elevated, with opportunities emerging across commodities, FX, and non-tech equity sectors.
Read today's article 👉
https://www.hfm.com/int/en/analysis/market-briefing-tech-sell-off-gold-rebound-and-rising-geopolitical-tensions-shake-global-markets
🟡 Gold & Silver: Precious metals suffered historic losses as a crowded, momentum-driven rally unwound. Gold is now nearly 20% below recent highs, while silver erased its year-to-date gains in just a few sessions.
💵 US Dollar: The dollar rebounded sharply after heavy short positioning, gaining most against commodity-linked currencies such as AUD, NZD and NOK following the metals sell-off.
🇦🇺Australian Dollar: AUDUSD to the highest since February 2023 - short term driver is metals and long term driver Friday's robust employment data, as markets increasingly anticipate a series of rate hikes. The unemployment rate fell to 4.1% from 4.3%
🌍 FX Volatility: Currency market volatility has surged to levels last seen in April, now exceeding equity volatility, signalling a shift in where macro risk is being priced.
🏦 Federal Reserve: Kevin Warsh’s nomination as potential Fed chair revived hawkish expectations, prompting a repricing of rate-cut bets and renewed focus on Fed independence.
📉 Equities: Global stocks weakened as concerns grew over stretched AI-related valuations and political influence on monetary policy, with sharp losses across Asia and US futures.
🛢 Oil: Crude prices dropped as geopolitical risk premiums faded following diplomatic signals around Iran, easing fears of near-term supply disruptions.
⚠️ The surprise timing of the Fed chair announcement triggered risk-off sentiment, pressuring stocks and Gold.
📉 Markets previously were expecting a dovish Fed nominee, prompting investors to price in frequent rate cuts later this year. However, Kevin Warsh is predicted to be the President’s nominee.
🦅 Markets fear Kevin Warsh nomination due to his inflation-hawk stance and QE skepticism. Market’s question whether Mr Warsh is indeed dovish.
🪙 Gold has fallen by 8.50% since the opening of the US Session on Thursday. The stock market has also fallen, with the S&P 500 trading almost 1.00% lower on Friday and all other indices also trading lower.
💵 The US Dollar started the day with a bullish price gap measuring 0.30%, but has remained more or less stable since the open.
🏛️ Tom Tillis will not approve of the nominee unless the US drops legal proceedings against Federal Reserve members. Trump is reportedly looking for a nominee who would reassure markets while also supporting his push for faster and deeper rate cuts.
🔮 New trends will depend on whether Kevin Warsh will be the President’s nominee. In addition, the new Chairman's first comments on inflation and interest rates can create high volatility levels.
🚀 SpaceX is reportedly considering a merger with Tesla and xAI, potentially deepening integration across Musk’s aerospace, EV, and AI businesses while raising regulatory questions.
📈 In response to the SpaceX developments, Tesla stock rose almost 3.00% after market close.
☁️ Amazon is reportedly in talks to expand its investment in OpenAI by up to $50 billion, which could significantly deepen its cloud and AI partnership and strengthen Amazon Web Services’ position in the AI race.
🕵️ The US is investigating whether Meta had access to WhatsApp messages breaking US privacy laws due to a recent whistleblower.
🍏 Apple earnings per share and revenue read higher than previous Wall Street projections. However, the stock’s bullish price movement remains limited due to rising expenses.
💱 The best performing currencies of the day are the US Dollar and Euro. The worst performing are the Japanese Yen and Australian Dollar.
Read today's article 👉 https://www.hfm.com/int/en/analysis/markets-kevin-warsh-fed-trump
📉 The Federal Reserve held rates steady, signalled no March cut, and emphasised independence, but the US Dollar continues to weaken.
🌍 The Dollar’s decline is driven more by geopolitical risks, shutdown fears, and investor positioning than by Fed policy.
🏛️ The US budget expires 30 January, and negotiations between President Trump and Senate Democrats continue, with DHS funding and ICE reforms as key sticking points.
⚠️ Analysts estimate a 70% chance of a government shutdown, which could further pressure the US Dollar and market sentiment.
💻 Microsoft shares fell 7% after hours as weaker-than-expected cloud growth and margin guidance, including Azure revenue rising 37-38% (slightly below forecasts), and a $250B OpenAI deal representing 45% of its commercial backlog, raised investor caution.
🚀 Even though Microsoft stocks fell after its latest earnings report, Tesla, Meta and Lam Research saw significant gains. Meta Stocks saw the largest gains, increasing 6.65% after market close.
🪙 Gold continues to increase in value for an eighth consecutive day despite obtaining overbought indications from technical analysis.
⛏️ All global metals increase in value over the past 24-hours with Copper, Gold and Platinum witnessing the strongest gains. Weakness in the US Dollar, possible tariffs and US shutdown fears drives demand.
🛢️ Oil prices have increased in value for a third consecutive day and are close to a five-month high. Driving the price movement are the weakness in the US Dollar, tensions with Iran and ongoing Kazakhstan supply disruptions.
💱 The best performing currencies of the day are the Australian Dollar, New Zealand Dollar and Swiss Franc. The worst performing are the US Dollar and Japanese Yen.
🇨🇦 The Bank of Canada kept interest rates unchanged at 2.25% despite concerns over economic growth and employment.
Full Article 👉 https://www.hfm.com/int/en/analysis/us-dollar-slides-shutdown-fears-despite-fed-pause
In this video, HFM’s market analyst, Michalis, will be using technical analysis to explain why the Australian and New Zealand Dollars are the best performing in 2026 and what it means for traders. 🔍
What is driving these currencies significantly higher?
Let’s find out! 👀 https://youtube.com/watch?v=mTbNNaN9Yww
The week ahead is packed with potential market movers. 📊
Key economic data and announcements could set the tone for the markets ahead.
📅 Check out the full weekly calendar here.
💬 Which events are on your radar this week?
Two live sessions you don’t want to miss! ⚡️
On Tuesday, discover a simple 5-minute scalping strategy, learn to spot institutional trades and use supply and demand zones for high-accuracy setups. On Wednesday, join a live Gold trading session as we break down price action in real time and identify emerging trends.
Reserve your spot for Tuesday and Wednesday !
📊 In this video, we break down the markets using live charts to analyse Gold and the NASDAQ, while exploring how Trump’s latest comments and geopolitical developments are influencing price action.
We look at key technical levels, market sentiment, and how political risk is shaping volatility across these assets. ⚠️
Full video here!
💰 Gold has hit record highs, rising nearly 6% this week and over 12% year-to-date. Geopolitical tensions around Greenland, NATO, and Trump’s Davos speech are driving safe-haven demand.
🕒 Trump’s Speech at Davos was originally scheduled for 18:00 GMT, but is likely to be delayed to 20:00 GMT due to air traffic. Analysts expect the speech to determine the market’s next move.
🇪🇺 The European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, looks to tone down recent escalations, advising Europe to prefer dialogue and will look for a solution, but is willing to react if needed.
📈 Bond yields continue to remain extremely high, not yet indicating a bond crisis but showing clear signs of stress. This development continues to support Gold, particularly yesterday's dip.
🎬 Netflix's revenue growth rate accelerated in Q4 and paid subscriber count recently crossed 325M. However, management forecasts slower growth in 2026, causing the stock to fall 5%.
🌐 The global stock market attempting to rebound after falling for three consecutive days. However, European stocks quickly declined again as the European market opened.
📊 The NIKKEI225 is currently the only index successfully attempting a rebound. The NIKKEI225 has risen 1.40% and so far has held on to recent gains.
🇬🇧 The UK’s Claimant Count Change came in slightly higher than expected as did the Average Salary Growth Rate.
📈 The UK inflation rate has risen from 3.2% to 3.4% adding more pressure on the UK economy and the BOE to keep rates unchanged. Analysts were originally expecting the rate to rise to 3.3%.
💵 The best-performing currencies of the day are the New Zealand Dollar and Australian Dollar. The worst-performing so far are the Swiss Franc and the US Dollar.
🛢️ The oil market faces mixed pressures as potential US-EU trade tensions threaten global demand, while optimism over China’s recovery, highlighted by 5% GDP growth and 1.5% higher oil consumption, supports prices.
Full Article 👉 https://www.hfm.com/int/en/analysis/trump-davos-speech-determine-markets-next-move
📉 Stocks fall as fears of a US-EU trade war over Greenland spike, with European stocks hit hardest. The US Dollar is also weakening.
⚡ Trump threatens tariffs on the UK and EU from Feb 1st (10%, rising to 25% by June). Trump advises tariffs will be removed once they agree to a full US purchase of Greenland.
🛡️ Europe and NATO reject the proposal, emphasising sovereignty, unity, and international law, and preparing countermeasures including possible tariffs.
💥 French President Macron has urged the EU to use its ‘trade bazooka’ to limit US market access or impose export restrictions. Other leaders have suggested $108 billion in US tariffs.
✊ Greenland and Denmark both held demonstrations over the weekend in their capital cities. As we can see, the US, NATO and the EU are gearing up for what looks to be high tensions for the whole of 2026.
📊 Stock indices show bearish signals: the DAX and NASDAQ are at multi-week lows. The VIX rose 9%, signaling increased market fear and lower risk appetite.
💵 The US Dollar is the day’s worst-performing currency, currently trading 0.20% lower. However, the currency moves within a sideways range awaiting further price drivers.
💹 The Swiss Franc is the day’s best-performing currency as investors turn to the safe haven asset while also looking to take advantage of its recent lower purchasing price.
🥇 Global metals trade higher due to the recent trade tariff tensions. Investors look to boost their exposure to safe-haven assets and stock up on metals before tariffs start. Silver and Gold are currently the day’s best performing metals.
🎬 Netflix stocks continue to trade lower in 2026, but investors are eagerly awaiting Tuesday’s earnings report. Netflix stock trade 0.50% higher this morning while most stocks fall.
🚗 Tesla and Volvo are set to be the first winners of the China-Canada EV deal. However, Tesla stock remains more or less unchanged due to global tensions.
🍱 Japan may cut food taxes to ease the cost of living and support households amid rising prices. However, the move currently pressures the Japanese Yen and bonds.
Full Article 👉 https://www.hfm.com/int/en/analysis/trumps-greenland-tariffs-shake-markets-europe-nato
Two powerful sessions for active traders! ⚡️
Discover 7 volume trading strategies used by institutional traders to spot opportunities in markets like Gold and Nasdaq, then dive into how to trade Gold with more confidence using key drivers, analysis methods and practical strategies.
Strengthen your skills and sharpen your edge.
Reserve your spot for Tuesday and Wednesday
Silver is flashing strong technical signals while metals heat up.
Is this the moment it outshines gold?
🔍 Dive into the analysis and trade with confidence.
Watch our video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bKzmZahxXg
🟢 US inflation came in slightly better than expected for stocks, but not low enough to shift Federal Reserve rate-cut expectations. CPI remains at 2.7% and Core CPI at 2.7%.
📈 Stocks initially rose after the CPI release but closed lower as investors priced in a prolonged Fed pause.
🛢️ Rising oil prices and a stronger US Dollar added further pressure to equity markets.
🏠 Trump’s proposals targeting housing investors and credit card rates weighed on financial and payment stocks.
📊 Market direction now hinges on upcoming PPI data and Federal Reserve speeches, with volatility increasing.
⚡ Oil prices are drawing attention as geopolitical tensions in Venezuela and Iran push Brent crude higher, raising the risk of an oil price shock, which could pressure inflation if the trend continues.
💳 President Trump announces measures to cap credit card interest rates and curb institutional investors from buying family homes. In response to both developments, certain stocks fell in value. For example, American Express stocks have fallen 7% and Visa 8%.
🗣️ Trump hits back at critics over the investigation into the Fed Chairman Jerome Powell advising ‘no one is above the law’.
💻 US approves sale of Nvidia's advanced AI chips to China, but NVIDIA stocks do not react to the news.
🌏 China reports a record trade surplus despite tariffs and restrictions imposed by the US over the past ten months.
🏦 JPMorgan reported solid earnings driven by trading, interest income, and asset management, but Apple Card reserves and weaker investment banking tempered results. The CEO remains cautiously optimistic about the US economy. JP Morgan stocks fall more than 4%.
🥈 Silver, Platinum, and Gold continue to be one of the best-performing assets in 2026. Silver rises more than 4% during this morning’s Asian session.
💵 The best-performing currencies of the day so far are the Australian Dollar and New Zealand Dollar. The Japanese Yen also looks to rebound.
Full Article 👉 https://www.hfm.com/int/en/analysis/inflation-fails-boost-stock-markets
This Week’s Live Trading Webinars! ⚡️
Kick off Tuesday with Forex 101: Your First Steps in Currency Trading, cover currency essentials, basic risk management, and how to start with confidence. Then on Wednesday, join The Truth About Consistency in Trading to learn how traders and institutions approach risk and setups, and why consistency isn’t just strategy.
Build a strong foundation and develop better trading habits.
Reserve your spot for Tuesday and Wednesday
📉 Tech Stocks Under Pressure
Global markets stayed weak as tech shares extended their slide. AI-related stocks, particularly those in the chip and software sectors, continue to face selling pressure as traders question high valuations following a strong rally.
🥇 Gold & Silver Turn Volatile
Precious metals moved sharply lower as traders took profits after recent highs. Thin liquidity and fast price moves increased volatility, keeping risk sentiment fragile.
💱 Big Day for Central Banks
Today’s focus is on two major central banks, the ECB and the Bank of England. Both are expected to keep rates unchanged, but traders will watch closely for hints on future policy moves. The US dollar remains firm, while the yen stays under pressure.
🪙 Crypto Under Pressure
Bitcoin extended its pullback as risk appetite cooled, showing continued sensitivity to moves in equities and the US dollar.
👀 What to Watch Next
Central bank statements, earnings updates, and key technical levels across major assets will likely drive today’s price action.
Let’s find out! 👉https://www.hfm.com/int/en/analysis/big-day-for-central-banks-as-tech-stocks-slide-and-precious-metals-turn-volatile
Today's Analysis 👉 https://www.hfm.com/int/en/analysis/market-highlights-aud-silver-nasdaq-gains
Title: 2026 Market Highlights: AUD Leads, Silver Corrects, NASDAQ Gains on Trade
Explore 2026’s market trends with the Australian Dollar as the best-performing currency, Silver’s sharp volatility, and global stocks boosted by the US–India trade deal and upcoming tech earnings.
New week, new market opportunities 🚀
Market-moving events could create fresh opportunities.
📅 See what’s coming up in this week’s calendar, available in here.
💬 What’s your focus this week?
Two live sessions for traders this week! ⚡️
Kick off Tuesday with a live walkthrough of the 15-minute Opening Range Breakout (ORB), a simple, structured way to trade early market momentum. Then on Wednesday, join our beginner-friendly live analysis session and learn how to set up your MT5 charts, indicators, and validate signals step by step.
Sharpen your execution and build better habits.
Reserve your spot for Tuesday and Wednesday
💲Swiss Franc approaches a 15-Year high against US Dollar as investors seek safe-haven assets and limit exposure to the Dollar.
📉 The US Dollar Index is trading at its lowest price since early 2022 and the President’s recent comments are fuelling poor sentiment towards the currency.
🗣️ Overnight, the US President, Donald Trump, told investors that ‘I think the value of the Dollar is great’ and he would not be worried about the decline continuing.
📊 Australia’s monthly Consumer Price Index rose from 0.0% to 1.0% and the inflation rate rose from 3.4% to 3.8%. The inflation rate remains unstable and may indicate that monetary policy is not adequately restrictive. The RBA is due to announce its rate decision next week.
⏳ The market awaits the Federal Reserve’s interest rate decision. A decision not to adjust interest rates is almost certain, but investors will be hoping for more guidance on March’s decision.
🪙 Gold’s price continues to increase for a seventh consecutive day and has already risen more than 20% this month. But if the Dollar rises above 96.00, technical indications may point to a retracement.
🥈 All global metals increase in value, with Silver being the best performing asset of the day. Silver increased 8% over the past 24 hours.
📈 All global indices trade higher, except the German DAX. The VIX index has fallen 1.50%, indicating a risk-on sentiment for the day.
💻 ASML stocks rose 7.15% as its AI orders hit more than €13 billion. Other semiconductors also rose as a result, including NVIDIA and AMD stocks.
📰 Microsoft, Meta, Tesla and Lam Research are due to make public their quarterly reports tonight after market close. All four stocks trade higher during today’s pre-market session.
💵 The best performing currencies of the day are the Australian Dollar and the Canadian Dollar. The Bank of Canada is due to announce its interest rate decision later today.
Full Article 👉 https://www.hfm.com/int/en/analysis/trump-embraces-weaker-us-dollar
💵 The US Dollar Index gains some ground as investors take advantage of the lower price. Sentiment towards the Dollar also rises as Durable Goods Orders rise again.
🇦🇺 Australia will release the CPI tomorrow morning, potentially influencing the RBA’s February 3rd interest rate decision. Traders expect volatility around the time of this announcement.
🇪🇺 The EU signs a trade deal with India, which will cut car import tariffs to 40%, then 10% over time. The deal is yet to support the Euro.
🇺🇸 President Trump on Monday said he was increasing tariffs on goods from South Korea, accusing the country of ‘not living up to its deal’ with the US. Tariffs on goods from South Korea will jump back to 25%, from 15%.
💹 Investors are on guard for the risk of another meltdown in Japan’s bond market when the government sells 40-year notes. The Yen declines against all currencies.
🏥 UnitedHealth Group Stocks declined 8.65% after market close on Monday. UnitedHealth will rebate Affordable Care Act marketplace profits to consumers this year.
📈 US Stocks trade higher on Monday and during Tuesday’s Asian session. However, the price declines as the European market opens due to mixed earnings data.
🛳️ The US Navy deployed the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group to the Middle East as tensions with Iran remain elevated. Oil prices are yet to rise in reaction.
🇯🇵 Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi this morning warned the Japan‑US alliance could weaken if Tokyo ignored a Taiwan conflict, stressing legal limits on military support. The Nikkei 225 rises on Tuesday and is the day’s best performing index.
⛏️ Global metals decline after seven days of declines, except Gold which continues to rise for an eighth consecutive day.
💻 Investors turn their attention to the Nasdaq as Microsoft, Meta, Lam Research and Tesla are due to release their earnings tomorrow evening. The four companies alone make up more than 20% of the Nasdaq.
Full Article 👉 https://www.hfm.com/int/en/analysis/aud-rises-hawkish-rba-gold-prices-economy
📉 Dollar Index hits eight-month low amid tariff threats and speculation of coordinated yen-support intervention.
💹 Yen surges sharply; USDJPY falls to November 2025 lows as intervention signals intensify and snap elections approach.
🗣️ Comments from Katayama and Bessent fuel expectations of continued US-Japan coordination in the currency market, weakening the Dollar.
🌍 Geopolitical tensions, shutdown risk, and gold’s record rally reinforce bearish sentiment toward the US Dollar.
⏳ Funding expires on 30 January, and Congress has not yet passed a full budget or a new stopgap bill. As a result, investors are weighing the risk of another US Shutdown.
💰 On Monday, Gold rose above $5,000 for the first time and 10% over the past six days. A key price driver is US Dollar weakness, a possible US government shutdown and geopolitical tensions.
🥈 All metals rose on Monday with Silver, Platinum and Palladium leading the gains. Silver has so far risen 7.50% during Monday's Asian session.
💵 The US Dollar is the worst performer, while the JPY, CHF, AUD and NZD lead, benefiting from low geopolitical risks and a lower risk sentiment.
🇺🇸 President Trump on Saturday threatened to impose 100% tariffs on Canada over that country's trade deal with China, even though he had previously called the agreement ‘a good thing’.
🏥 United Health Group is due to release its quarterly earnings report early on Tuesday. The stock has risen 5.90% in 2026. Any volatility is likely to significantly impact the Dow Jones due to its exposure.
🤝 European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the imminent signing of a historic trade agreement with India. The Euro is yet to benefit due to tensions with the US.
Full Article 👉 https://www.hfm.com/int/en/analysis/us-eying-weaker-usd
📈 Markets Overview
Global markets are trading cautiously higher this morning as geopolitical tensions ease and investors regain some confidence after a volatile week.
🇺🇸 US Markets
US stock futures are modestly positive, with Dow futures up 0.1%, while S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 futures gain around 0.3%. The move follows President Trump backing away from tariff threats on European imports and softening rhetoric on Greenland.
⚠️ Tech sentiment remains mixed after Intel shares plunged over 10% in extended trading on a weaker Q1 outlook.
🌏 Asia-Pacific
Asian markets are mostly higher. Japan’s Nikkei rose 0.2% after the Bank of Japan held rates unchanged and upgraded its inflation and growth outlook.. The yen weakened initially to ¥158.6 per dollar, keeping expectations of further BoJ tightening alive later this year. However quickly after Yen jumps across the board on suspected intervention
🪙 Gold & Safe Havens
Gold remains near record levels, hovering just below $5,000, as investors continue to hedge against uncertainty. Silver is outperforming, reflecting ongoing demand for defensive assets.
🛢 Oil
Crude prices are higher, with WTI near $60 per barrel and Brent trading above $64, supported by stabilising risk sentiment.
📊 Bonds & Data
US Treasury yields are steady, supported by stronger-than-expected US economic data, including resilient jobless claims and solid consumer spending.
🔍 Market Outlook
Markets are calmer heading into the end of the week, but remain headline-sensitive, with geopolitics, central bank signals, and macro data still driving short-term volatility.
Full Article 👉 https://www.hfm.com/int/en/analysis/global-markets-steady-as-geopolitical-tensions-ease-and-investors-regain-confidence
🌍 Risk sentiment improves as geopolitical pressure eases. Markets are stabilising after President Trump paused Greenland-related tariffs, reducing immediate tail risks. Equities rebounded while safe-haven demand cooled, though volatility remains elevated with earnings and macro data in focus.
📈 Asia follows Wall Street higher. Japan’s Nikkei jumped 1.9%, led by tech stocks, with SoftBank surging 11%. South Korea’s Kospi gained 2%, breaking above the 5,000 level for the first time. Elsewhere, markets were mixed, with Hong Kong and China slightly lower, while Australia, Taiwan and India posted solid gains.
🇺🇸 US futures extend gains after Trump ruled out military action over Greenland and confirmed planned February tariffs will not proceed. Wall Street delivered its best session of 2026, with the S&P 500, Dow and Nasdaq all rising around 1.2%, although weekly performance remains negative.
📊 Earnings and data take centre stage. With Intel, Procter & Gamble and GE Aerospace reporting, and US jobless claims due, traders are bracing for short-lived volatility. Recent results show that even earnings beats are generating muted reactions, highlighting valuation sensitivity.
🪙 Commodities and FX: Gold slipped 0.9% as safe-haven demand eased, while oil prices edged higher. US Treasury yields moved lower, the dollar firmed against the yen, and the euro remained largely unchanged.
🔮 Outlook: This looks like a relief rally rather than a full risk-on move. Sentiment has improved, but remains fragile. Expect event-driven price action, with flexibility and risk control more important than strong directional conviction.
Full Article 👉https://www.hfm.com/int/en/analysis/trader-outlook-risk-sentiment-improves-as-geopolitical-pressure-eases
🔥 Market Mood
Global markets are in risk-off mode as renewed US-EU trade tensions and sharp moves in global bond markets weigh on sentiment ahead of a key earnings week.
🇺🇸 US Markets
US equity futures point lower across major indices as investors brace for earnings and reassess risks linked to tariffs, legal uncertainty around trade policy, and elevated valuations.
🌍 Macro & Geopolitics
Trade war fears have resurfaced after the US threatened new tariffs on several European countries over Greenland, with Europe signalling potential retaliation and raising concerns over global growth.
🇯🇵 Asia Session
Japanese markets led to regional weakness as a heavy sell-off in government bonds pushed the 40-year yield above 4% for the first time, spilling over into global yields and pressuring equities.
🇪🇺 Europe Session
European equities are lower, led by export-sensitive sectors, as investors price in the risk of escalating trade tensions with the US.
📈 Rates, FX & Commodities
Rising Japanese yields have lifted US long-end Treasury yields, while the US dollar is slightly softer. Gold holds near record highs on safe-haven demand, while oil prices remain steady amid supply concerns.
⚠️ Trader Focus Today
Watch US-EU trade headlines, bond yield volatility (Japan and US), earnings guidance, and gold’s response to shifts in risk sentiment.
Full Article > https://www.hfm.com/int/en/analysis/global-markets-volatile-as-us-eu-trade-tensions-rise-and-japans-bond-yields-surge
A new week is here, stay sharp! 🎯
Scheduled releases may drive volatility across major markets.
📅 See the full economic calendar here.
💬 What’s on your watchlist this week?
💹 The Japanese Yen increases in value as markets expect a government intervention soon. The JPY is the day’s 2nd best performing currency after the New Zealand Dollar.
🇯🇵 Japan’s finance minister says currency intervention remains an option and would have the support of the US.
📊 Traders expect government support, but the Bank of Japan is unlikely to change interest rates until after the snap election.
💵 The US Dollar retraces this morning after increasing in value throughout the week due to positive economic data which support a hawkish Fed tone.
📉 The Weekly Unemployment Claims fell to 198,000, the lowest in 6 weeks and lower than expectations. The US Retail Sales, Empire State Manufacturing Index and Philly Index have also all risen above expectations.
⏸️ Markets expect the Fed to pause in Q1 unless data weakens. According to the Chicago Exchange, there is a 78% chance of no cuts in Q1. By year-end, markets price a 32% chance of two cuts, a 27% chance of one cut, and a 21% chance of three cuts.
🏦 One of the best performing stocks of the week is Goldman Sachs after rising almost 5% over the past 24 hours. The company’s earnings and revenue beat expectations and the company also announced higher dividends for shareholders.
📈 US and Asian Indices trade higher while the VIX declines further supporting upwards price movement. The NASDAQ is the day’s best performing index so far.
📈 Asian markets climbed as strong earnings from chipmakers and renewed AI sector confidence pushed regional indexes higher
🤝 This week the Danish Foreign Minister Mr Rasmussen and Greenlandic Foreign Minister Mrs Motzfeldt met with US Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Mr Rubio.
📉 Most European indices trade lower over the meeting between Denmark, Greenland and the US as tensions continue to rise. The DAX currently trades 0.30% lower.
⏳ Gold and Silver’s bullish trend comes to a pause due to upbeat economic data from the US. However, on larger timeframes, both metals maintain their current bullish bias.
Full Article 👉 https://www.hfm.com/int/en/analysis/usdjpy-intervention-us-support
📈 Silver paused during the Asian session this morning after rising for four consecutive days. However, technical analysis is not yet indicating a prolonged downturn.
🏆 Silver continues to remain the best-performing asset of 2026 so far. The Chicago exchange confirms demand is largely coming from ETFs and not demand for the physical metal.
🛢️ Oil prices fall sharply after President Trump advised there was no imminent attack on Iran, the world’s fifth-largest oil producer. Crude Oil fell 5.00% within 45 minutes after Trump’s comments.
⛽Producer inflation figures mirror a similar picture seen with consumer inflation the day before. The Core PPI came in at 0.0%, lower than the 0.2% expected. However, economists still expect no rate cuts in the first quarter.
💷 The UK GDP figure for December rose 0.3%, three times higher than previous projections. The GBP rises in response and is the day’s second best-performing currency.
📌The VIX index fell 1.50% indicating investors’ risk appetite is improving after dipping over the past two days. Today’s earnings reports will be key for the stock market performance.
📊 The market awaits for the Quarterly Earnings Report from Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley and BlackRock.
💼 Goldman Sachs stocks trade slightly lower as investors await the release in the next two hours. Wall Street expects earnings per share of $11.65 and revenue of $13.80 billion, according to LSEG.
💵 The US Dollar Index is trading higher this morning, supported by positive economic data and expectations of no rate cuts this quarter.
💱 The worst-performing currencies of the day are the Canadian Dollar, Swiss Franc and Japanese Yen.
🛍️ The US Retail Sales and Core Retail Sales figure rose 0.6% and 0.5%, a three-month high and higher than expectations.
⚠️ Some of America’s top bankers are warning that the president’s cap on credit card interest rates would prove disastrous for lower-income consumers and the US economy.
Full Article 👉 https://www.hfm.com/int/en/analysis/etfs-technicals-fuelling-silvers-2026-rally
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