Market news & insights
Stay ahead of the markets with expert insights, news, and technical analysis to guide your trading decisions.
Volatility doesn't discriminate. But it can punish the unprepared.
Stops getting hit on moves that reverse within minutes. Premiums on short-dated options climbing. And the yen no longer behaving as the reliable hedge it once was.
For traders across Asia, navigating this environment means asking harder questions about risk, timing, and the assumptions baked into strategies built for calmer markets.
1. How do I trade VIX CFDs during a geopolitical shock?
The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) measures the market’s expectation of 30-day implied volatility on the S&P 500. It is often called the “fear gauge.” During geopolitical shocks such as the current Iran escalations, sanctions announcements, and surprise central bank actions, the VIX can spike sharply and quickly.
What makes VIX CFDs different in a shock
VIX itself is not directly tradeable. VIX CFDs are typically priced off VIX futures, which means they carry contango drag in normal conditions.
During a geopolitical shock, several things can happen at once
- Spot VIX may spike immediately while near-term futures lag, creating a disconnect.
- Spreads on VIX CFDs can widen significantly as liquidity thins.
- Margin requirements may change intraday as broker risk models adjust.
- VIX tends to mean-revert after spikes, so timing and duration are critical.
What this means for Asian-hours traders
Asian market hours mean many geopolitical events can break while local traders are active or just starting their session.
A shock that hits during Tokyo hours may already be priced into VIX futures before Sydney opens.
Some traders use VIX CFD positions as a short-term hedge against equity portfolios rather than a directional trade. Others trade the reversion (the move back toward historical averages once the initial spike fades). Both approaches carry distinct risks, and neither guarantees a specific outcome.
2. Why are my 0DTE options premiums so expensive right now?
Zero days-to-expiry (0DTE) options expire on the same day they are traded. They have become one of the fastest-growing segments of the options market, now representing more than 57% of daily S&P 500 options volume according to Cboe global markets data.
For Asian-based participants accessing US options markets, elevated premiums during volatile periods can feel like mispricing, but usually reflects structural pricing factors.
Why premiums spike
Options pricing is driven by intrinsic value and time value. For 0DTE options, there is almost no time value left, which might suggest they should be cheap but the implied volatility component compensates for that.
When uncertainty increases, sellers may demand greater compensation for the risk of sharp intraday moves.
This can be reflected in
- Higher implied volatility inputs.
- Wider bid-ask spreads.
- Faster adjustments in delta and gamma hedging.
In higher-VIX environments, hedging flows can contribute to short-term feedback loops in the underlying index. This can amplify price swings, particularly around key levels.
What this means for Asian-hours traders
Many 0DTE options contracts see their most active pricing and hedging flows during US trading hours. Entering positions during the Asian session may mean facing stale pricing or wider spreads.
If you are seeing expensive premiums, it may reflect the market accurately pricing the risk of a large same-day move. Whether that premium is worth paying depends on your view of the likely intraday range and your risk tolerance, not on the absolute dollar figure alone.
3. How do I adjust my algorithmic trading bot for a high-VIX environment?
Many algorithmic trading systems are built on parameters calibrated during lower-volatility regimes. When VIX spikes, those parameters can become outdated quickly.
The regime mismatch problem
Most trading algorithms use historical data to set position sizes, stop distances, and entry thresholds. That data reflects the conditions during which the system was tested. If VIX moves from 15 to 35, the statistical assumptions underpinning those settings may no longer hold.
Common failure modes in high-VIX environments include
- Stops triggered repeatedly by noise before the intended directional move occurs.
- Position sizing based on fixed-dollar risk, which becomes relatively small compared to actual intraday ranges.
- Correlation assumptions between assets breaking down.
- Slippage on execution that erodes edge.
Approaches some algorithmic traders consider
Rather than running a single fixed set of parameters, some systems incorporate a volatility regime filter. This is a real-time check on VIX or ATR that triggers a switch to different settings when conditions shift.
Approach adjustments that some traders review in high-VIX environments
- Widen stop distances proportionally to ATR to reduce noise-driven exits.
- Reduce position size to maintain constant dollar risk relative to wider expected ranges.
- Add a VIX threshold above which the system pauses or moves to paper trading mode.
- Reduce the number of simultaneous positions, as correlations tend to rise during market stress.
No adjustment eliminates risk. Backtesting new parameters on historical high-VIX periods can provide some indication of likely performance, though past conditions are not a reliable guide to future outcomes.
4. Is the Japanese Yen (JPY) still a reliable safe-haven trade?
During periods of global risk aversion, capital has historically flowed into JPY as investors unwind carry trades and seek lower-volatility holdings. However, the reliability of this dynamic has become more conditional.
Why has the yen historically moved as a safe haven?
Japan’s historically low interest rates made JPY the funding currency of choice for carry trades and when risk-off sentiment hits, those trades unwind quickly, creating demand for yen.
Additionally, Japan’s large net foreign asset position means Japanese investors tend to repatriate capital during crises, further supporting JPY.
What has changed
The Bank of Japan’s shift away from ultra-loose monetary policy in recent years has complicated the traditional safe-haven dynamic.
As Japanese interest rates rise:
- The scale of carry trade positioning may change.
- USD/JPY can become more sensitive to interest rate spreads.
- BoJ communication and domestic inflation data may influence JPY independently of global risk appetite.
The yen can still behave as a safe haven, particularly during sharp equity sell-offs. But it may respond more slowly or inconsistently compared to earlier cycles when the policy divergence between Japan and the rest of the world was more extreme.
What to watch
For traders monitoring JPY as a safe-haven signal, BoJ meeting dates, Japanese CPI releases, and real-time US-Japan rate spread data have become more relevant inputs than they were a few years ago.
5. How do I avoid ‘whipsawing’ on energy CFDs?
Whipsawing describes the experience of entering a trade in one direction, getting stopped out as the price reverses, then watching the price move back in the original direction.
Energy CFDs, particularly crude oil, are especially prone to this in volatile markets. And for traders in Asia, the combination of thin liquidity during local hours and sensitivity to geopolitical headlines can make this particularly challenging.
Why energy CFDs whipsaw
Crude oil is sensitive to a wide range of headline drivers: OPEC+ production decisions, US inventory data, geopolitical supply disruptions, and currency moves.
In high-volatility environments, the market can react strongly to each headline before reversing when the next one arrives.
- Price spikes on a headline, stops are triggered on short positions.
- Traders re-enter long, expecting continuation.
- A second headline or profit-taking reverses the move.
- Long stops are hit. The cycle repeats.
Approaches traders may consider to manage whipsaw risk
Some traders choose to change their risk controls in volatile conditions (for example, reviewing stop placement relative to volatility measures). However these may increase losses; execution and slippage risks can rise sharply in fast markets
Other approaches that some traders review:
- Avoid trading crude oil CFDs in the 30 minutes before and after major scheduled data releases.
- Use a longer timeframe chart to identify the prevailing trend before entering on a shorter timeframe, reducing the chance of trading against larger institutional flows.
- Scale into positions in stages rather than committing full size on initial entry.
- Monitor open interest and volume to distinguish between moves with genuine participation and low-liquidity fakeouts.
Whipsawing cannot be eliminated entirely in volatile energy markets. The goal of risk management in these conditions is not to predict which moves will hold, but to ensure that losses on false moves are smaller than gains when a genuine directional move follows.
Practical considerations for volatile Asian markets
Asian markets carry structural characteristics that interact with volatility differently from US or European markets:
- Thinner liquidity during local hours can exaggerate moves on thin volume, particularly in energy and FX CFDs.
- Events in China, including PMI releases, trade data, and PBOC policy signals, can move regional indices.
- BoJ policy decisions have become a more active driver of JPY and Nikkei volatility in recent years.
- Overnight gaps from US session moves are a persistent structural risk for traders unable to monitor positions around the clock.
- Margin requirements on leveraged products can change at short notice during high-VIX periods.
Frequently asked questions about volatility in Asian markets
What does a high VIX reading mean for Asian equity indices?
VIX measures expected volatility on the S&P 500, but elevated readings typically reflect global risk aversion that flows across markets. Asian indices such as the Nikkei 225, Hang Seng, and ASX 200 can often see increased volatility and negative correlation with sharp VIX spikes.
Can 0DTE options be traded during Asian hours?
Access depends on the platform and the specific instrument. US equity index 0DTE options are most actively priced during US trading hours. Asian traders may face wider spreads and less representative pricing outside those hours.
Are algorithmic trading strategies inherently riskier in high-volatility conditions?
Strategies calibrated during low-volatility periods may perform differently in high-VIX environments. Regular review of parameters against current market conditions is prudent for any systematic approach.
Has the JPY safe-haven trade changed permanently?
The Bank of Japan’s policy normalisation has introduced new dynamics, but JPY has continued to strengthen during some risk-off episodes. It may be more conditional on the nature of the shock and the BoJ’s concurrent posture.
What is the best way to set stops on energy CFDs in high-volatility conditions?
There is no universally best method. Many traders reference ATR to calibrate stop distances to prevailing conditions rather than using fixed levels. This does not guarantee exit at the desired price and does not eliminate whipsaw risk.
Donald Trump has officially declared the Maduro regime in Venezuela a foreign terrorist organisation and ordered a "total and complete blockade" of the country's sanctioned oil tankers.
The U.S. has positioned 11 warships in the Caribbean to enforce the blockade, which could remove 400,000 to 500,000 barrels daily from global supply.
The move sent crude prices jumping over 2% and sparked renewed concerns about supply stability heading into 2026.
White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles succinctly summarised the situation as: “Trump wants to keep on blowing boats up until Maduro cries uncle."
Brent crude jumped 2.4% to $60.33 per barrel, while WTI climbed 2.6% to $56.69.
If crude maintains its $60 per barrel price, analysts project the blockade, combined with potential Russian sanctions, could push prices toward $70 as Venezuela's already-devastated economy faces collapse.
Bank of Japan to Hike Rates to Highest Level in Decades
The Bank of Japan is set to raise interest rates to their highest level in three decades this Friday, with Governor Kazuo Ueda expected to lift the benchmark rate from 0.5% to 0.75%.
While modest by global standards, this marks a landmark step in Japan's departure from decades of near-zero rates and unconventional easing.
The decision comes amid significant market turbulence. Japanese government bond yields have surged, with 30-year bonds hitting record highs and 10-year yields reaching 19-year peaks.
The volatility stems partly from concerns under new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who recently approved a $118 billion stimulus package with over 60% financed through borrowing.
While Friday's hike appears certain, policymakers have signalled caution as they push rates toward levels estimated between 1% and 2.5%.
Ueda's post-meeting press conference will be closely watched for signals about future increases.
Micron Forecasts Blowout Earnings on Booming AI Market
Micron Technology is projecting second-quarter earnings of $8.42 per share, nearly double Wall Street's $4.78 estimate.
Micron shares surged 7% in after-hours trading as markets reacted to the news that the AI-driven memory chip race is showing no signs of slowing.
As one of only three major suppliers of high-bandwidth memory (HBM) chips alongside SK Hynix and Samsung, Micron sits at a chokepoint in AI infrastructure.
The HBM specialised chips are essential for training and deploying generative AI models, and current demand is dramatically outpacing supply.
CEO Sanjay Mehrotra revealed that supply tightness will extend beyond 2026, with Micron expecting to fulfil only 50-70% of key customer demand in the medium term.
Micron projects revenue of $18.70 billion this quarter versus analyst estimates of $14.20 billion. The company has retooled their operations toward AI applications, even dissolving its consumer "Crucial" brand to concentrate on AI data centre demand.
HBM chips are now the bottleneck in AI system performance, and suppliers who can deliver at scale have the potential to capture large amounts of value over the coming years.
As the final trading days of December approach, investors are assessing whether seasonal factors may again influence year-end price action.
- The Santa Claus rally has delivered gains in 70 of the past 97 years, but history is no guarantee.
- Technology, retail, and consumer discretionary sectors have historically led with 1.9-2.1 per cent average gains during the Christmas period.
- Recent market rallies, AI weariness, and a hawkish Fed put doubts around the Santa Rally.
The seven-day Santa rally window runs from 24 December through 5 January 2026.
This period has historically outperformed average market conditions, driven by holiday optimism, thin trading volumes, year-end bonus spending, tax-loss completions, and institutional portfolio rebalancing.
5 assets in focus this Christmas
1. Technology stocks
Technology stocks have historically been standout performers during the Santa rally period, averaging gains of 2.1 per cent across the seven-day window, although results vary significantly year to year.
The Nasdaq Composite typically posts stronger returns than broader indices, with an 82 per cent historical win rate for December-January performance.
However, tech stocks do currently face a challenging setup. The Nasdaq gained 19 per cent year-to-date (YTD) but has come under pressure in recent months, with AI-related stocks experiencing sentiment dips.
Key drivers:
- E-commerce momentum: Black Friday 2025 spending hit a record US$11.8 billion, with sustained demand through December as last-minute purchases drive revenue for Amazon and digital payment processors.
- Holiday infrastructure: Cloud computing, semiconductors, and digital payments capture the backend of holiday spending surges, benefiting from both retail transactions and year-end enterprise spending.
- Concentration risk: Five companies (Nvidia, Microsoft, Apple, Alphabet, Amazon) account for 30 per cent of major index returns. Down periods for these companies, as seen during recent AI-sentiment-driven volatility, could bring down the sector as a whole.
2. Gold
Gold enters one of its strongest seasonal periods from mid-December through February, having posted gains every year since 2015 during this window.
The gold price is maintaining strength throughout December despite the dollar's resilience, positioning well as the Christmas jewellery season peaks.
Key drivers:
- Seasonal jewellery demand: Approximately two-thirds of annual gold production flows into jewellery fabrication. Christmas, Lunar New Year (February 2026), and the Indian wedding season create regular buying patterns as merchants stock up in December.
- Dollar weakness patterns: December has historically been the dollar's weakest month, with negative bias from 22 December onwards. Gold's inverse correlation to the dollar could provide upside momentum during this period.
- Real yields environment: With the Fed cutting rates to 3.5-3.75 per cent while inflation remains around 3 per cent, real yields stay relatively low, potentially supporting higher gold valuations.
- Central bank accumulation: Continued central bank purchases and year-end institutional portfolio rebalancing could provide additional support.
3. EUR/USD
December has historically been the most bullish month for EUR/USD, with the world's most-traded currency pair posting an average return of +1.2 per cent over the past 50 years.
The US dollar regularly shows clear weakness during the Santa rally period, particularly from 22 December onwards. However, the Fed's hawkish rate cut has provided some dollar support this year.
Key drivers:
- Holiday liquidity dynamics: Lower institutional trading volumes during the holiday period reduce dollar support as retail traders and smaller participants dominate. Thin markets can amplify moves in either direction.
- Year-end rebalancing: European and Asian investors often repatriate funds or rebalance portfolios at year-end, creating demand for non-dollar currencies that typically support EUR and AUD against USD.
- Dollar strength from hawkish Fed: The Fed's December rate cut came with guidance of fewer cuts in 2026. This has kept the dollar elevated despite lower rates, possibly limiting the ability of EUR/USD seasonal patterns to influence the market.
4. Retail stocks
Consumer discretionary and retail stocks historically outperform during the holiday period, with the sector averaging 1.9-2.1 per cent gains during the Santa rally window. Holiday shopping accounts for 30-40 per cent of annual retail revenue for many companies, making this period crucial for full-year performance.
Key drivers:
- Record holiday traffic: A record 202.9 million consumers shopped during the Thanksgiving-Cyber Monday weekend, up from 197 million in 2024. November spending surged 3.8 per cent year-over-year, with total holiday spending projected to exceed US$1 trillion for the first time.
- High-income shoppers trend: Value-oriented retailers (TJX, Five Below) and those with strong omnichannel presence are capturing a disproportionate share of value over retailers targeting low-middle income earners.
- Post-Fed tailwind: The December rate cut provides marginal relief through lower borrowing costs, potentially extending holiday spending into late December as credit becomes more accessible.
5. Bitcoin
Bitcoin's December performance has been highly inconsistent, with a median return of -3.2 per cent, contrasting with traditional Santa rally patterns. Currently, Bitcoin is trading around US$87,500, down approximately 30 per cent from its October all-time high of US$126,210.
However, there are signals that the historically volatile asset could see a Santa-led bounce this year.
Key drivers:
- Institutional infrastructure in place: More than US$120 billion is now held in spot Bitcoin ETFs, which provides a framework that could support capital flows if risk sentiment improves, although inflows are not assured.
- Pro-crypto policy expectations: Discussion around potential developments such as a US strategic Bitcoin reserve and the CLARITY Act could influence sentiment going into 2026, although outcomes remain uncertain.
- Four-year cycle inflection point: The recent sell-off came roughly 18 months after the most recent Bitcoin halving, a point linked to turning points in some past cycles, with the four-year narrative potentially influencing market behaviour.
Risks to watch
- The December Fed meeting delivered a 25 basis point cut, but the hawkish tone has set expectations for fewer rate cuts in 2026.
- The Nasdaq's 19 per cent YTD gain has pushed valuations to elevated levels as AI-stock sentiment begins to dip.
- Five companies account for 30 per cent of index returns, placing portfolio concentration at concerning levels.
- Reduced holiday liquidity amplifies both moves and risks. Thin trading volumes can create exaggerated reactions to headlines, particularly around geopolitical events or economic data.
Is Santa coming to town?
The Santa Claus rally remains one of the better-known seasonal patterns in financial markets, but a historical hit rate of around 72 per cent also implies meaningful years where it does not play out.
A more balanced way to view the Santa rally window is as one input among many.
Seasonal observations can be considered alongside technical levels, fundamental drivers, and risk management — particularly given how quickly sentiment can change in thin holiday conditions.
And, if you can, take time away from the screens and enjoy the break.
REMX approaches key resistance after a sharp rebound
- Instrument: REMX (VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF)
- Time horizon: Short-to-medium term
- Market read: Price action is often interpreted as neutral-to-constructive while holding above the ~$68 area, outcomes remain uncertain
- Chart reference levels: ~$75 (prior reaction/overhead supply area), ~$68 (support area), then ~$81 (next prior reaction area)
Rare earth and strategic metals equities have been among the stronger-performing thematic areas in 2025, though recent price action suggests the rally has paused as investors reassess momentum. REMX has rebounded sharply from its April lows and is now consolidating below a technically significant resistance zone near $75, making it a key level to monitor.
What is REMX?
REMX is an exchange-traded fund that provides diversified exposure to global companies involved in mining, refining, and recycling rare earth and strategic metals. For traders and investors who want sector exposure without relying on a single issuer, the ETF structure can help spread company-specific risk. Performance will still be highly sensitive to commodity cycles and policy/geopolitics.
Portfolio snapshot
The ETF’s larger positions typically include a mix of rare earth producers and lithium-related names. Examples of top holdings (approximate weights, based on the fund’s most recent publicly available holdings data)
Why rare earths and strategic metals matter
Rare earth elements (a group of 17 metals) are not necessarily scarce in the earth’s crust, but economically viable deposits—and especially processing capacity—are concentrated. This creates a supply-chain dynamic where policy decisions, trade restrictions, and downstream demand can have outsized impacts on pricing and sentiment.
Key demand linkages include:
- EVs and wind power (permanent magnets and motors)
- Electronics (speakers, screens, storage)
- Defence/aerospace (guidance, radar, specialised alloys)
- Industrial catalysts (refining and emissions control)
Technical outlook
After marking multi-year lows around $33 in early April, REMX rallied strongly and returned to levels last seen in mid-2023. The $75 area stands out as a prior multi-touch support zone (2021–2023), which increases the probability it acts as resistance on the first approach.
REMX weekly chart
Price has repeatedly tested $75 over the past month without a confirmed breakout. The pattern of higher lows against flat resistance resembles an ascending triangle, often associated with building pressure; however, confirmation requires a decisive break.
REMX daily chart
Scenarios to watch
- Bullish continuation: A daily close above $75 (ideally with expanding participation) would shift focus to $81 as the next resistance zone.
- Range continuation / pullback: Failure to clear $75 again keeps the risk of a retracement toward $68 support.
- Bearish breakdown: A sustained move below $68 would weaken the structure and raise the probability of a deeper mean reversion (next support levels should be mapped from prior swing lows).
.jpg)
US indices pulled back from record highs after the Fed signalled no rate cut in January. The Nasdaq was hit hardest with AI sector anxiety resurfacing.
Combine that with this week's shutdown-delayed jobs data release, and questions are mounting on whether markets can muster a Santa Claus rally this year.
Delayed Jobs Data Could Define Santa Rally
- This week delivers critical economic data that was postponed during the government shutdown:
- Tuesday: Non Farm Payrolls
- Thursday: Consumer Price Index (CPI)
- These two releases could determine whether markets can rally or face further pressure into Christmas.
- Volatility is expected around both announcements as traders position for potential surprises.
ECB and Bank of England Enter Rate Decision Spotlight
- The European Central Bank and Bank of England both announce rate decisions this week.
- EUR and GBP traders should watch closely for any policy divergence that could create currency volatility.
- Cross-border flows may shift as investors weigh different central bank trajectories.
Flash PMI Data Offers Real-Time Economic Pulse Tomorrow
- Tomorrow delivers a global economic snapshot through flash PMI releases from Japan, Australia, Europe, the UK, and the US.
- Markets could react fast to these forward-looking indicators.
- Any regional divergence could signal shifting economic momentum across major markets.
Market Insights
Watch Mike Smith's analysis of the week ahead in markets.
Key Economic Events
Stay up to date with the key economic events for the week.
The Federal Reserve delivered its third consecutive rate cut this morning, lowering rates 25 basis points to 3.5%-3.75% after a 9-3 vote in favour.
The three dissents were the most seen since September 2019. Governor Stephen Miran pushed for a steeper 50bp cut while regional presidents Jeff Schmid and Austan Goolsbee wanted to hold steady.
Four additional non-voting participants also preferred no cut at all, exposing deep disalignment on the best policy path going forward.
The updated Federal Reserve dot plot maintained projections for just one cut in 2026 and another in 2027, unchanged from September despite three cuts delivered since then.
Seven officials now see no cuts needed next year, while three believe rates are already too low, suggesting the divide between members is set to continue growing in 2026.
In his post-meeting press conference, Fed chair Jerome Powell explicitly stated, "We are well positioned to wait and see how the economy evolves." — phrasing last used when the Fed paused cuts for nine months.
However, with Powell's tenure ending in January and Trump publicly demanding deeper cuts, the Fed continues to face mounting pressure, further clouding 2026 projections.
Markets are currently pricing Kevin Hassett as the next chair, thanks to his apparent accommodation to Trump’s preferences.
Oracle Stock Plummets as Revenue Falls Short of Estimates
Oracle Corporation suffered a 10%+ after-hours selloff today, following fiscal second-quarter results that exposed mounting risks beneath its ambitious AI infrastructure buildout.
Revenue of $16.06 billion fell short of the $16.21 billion Wall Street consensus, triggering a sharp reassessment of one of the most leveraged bets in the AI sector.
The company's total debt now exceeds $105 billion, and the cost of insuring Oracle's debt against default reached its highest level since March 2009, rising to about 1.28 percentage points per year.
Further investor anxiety lies in Oracle's dependence on its contract with OpenAI, which is estimated to account for about 58% of Oracle's future order backlog.
The contract requires OpenAI to pay approximately $60 billion annually to Oracle starting in 2027. However, OpenAI currently only generates around $20 billion in annualised revenue, exposing Oracle to massive counterparty risk if OpenAI doesn’t meet its revenue projections.
Bitcoin Price Narratives Get Murkier
Standard Chartered slashed its 2026 Bitcoin price target from $300,000 to $150,000 yesterday.
Attributed to the apparent end of aggressive corporate Bitcoin accumulation and slower-than-expected institutional adoption through ETFs, it is one of the most dramatic forecast reductions this year.
The bank's updated forecasts project $100,000 by end-2025, $150,000 for end-2026, $225,000 for end-2027, $300,000 for end-2028, and $400,000 for end-2029.
Despite the revision, Standard Chartered explicitly rejects the notion that we have entered a new crypto winter, characterising the current phase as "a cold breeze" rather than structural weakness.
Broader market predictions for 2026 suggest a bearish scenario at $95,241, an average estimate of $111,187, and a bullish case of $142,049.
InvestingHaven forecasts Bitcoin trading between a minimum of $99,910 and a maximum of $200,000 in 2026.
And some bullish analysts like Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson have suggested Bitcoin could reach $250,000 in 2026 if tech giants increase their crypto exposure, indicating considerable divergence in expectations.
.jpg)
US markets are eyeing all-time highs following strong data and earnings reports. Whether these records are achieved will depend on the news flow over the coming days, particularly from the Federal Reserve.
Fed Decision Incoming
The Federal Reserve's two-day meeting will end this Wednesday with a 0.25% rate cut widely expected. But following Friday's encouraging PCE numbers, the bigger question is “Will there be a January cut?” The Fed press conference post-decision will likely the highest signal event for the rest of 2025.
Central Bank Decisions Everywhere
Beyond the Fed, the Reserve Bank of Australia meets tomorrow with a pause expected, as recent data hasn't provided sufficient incentive for another cut. The ECB, Bank of England, and Bank of Japan will also all announce decisions within the next ten days, creating potential volatility across both equity and FX markets.
Big Tech Earnings
Two major AI infrastructure players report earnings this week: Broadcom and Oracle. These reports come at a time when AI valuations are under heavy public scrutiny, however, they will likely take a backseat to whatever the Fed signals about its 2026 path.
Copper Breaks Out
Copper has rallied to a four-month high and is now testing the $5.50 level. After breaching the key $5.25 support level, the market is showing some hesitation in Asia ahead of major data releases and the Fed decision. The July record highs of $5.50 are now within reach, though it is still to be seen if this level holds or if we pull back toward $5.25 support.
Market Insights
Watch Mike Smith's analysis of the week ahead in markets.
Key Economic Events
Stay up to date with the key economic events for the week.
