Global markets closed February under conditions few anticipated even days ago. The events in the last 48 hours have shifted the framework from negotiation risk to open conflict. A geopolitical “black swan” has moved from theoretical scenario to live reality. What had been treated for months as a tail risk scenario has now materialized into […]
Global markets were forced to face three major developments last week, each capable on its own of destabilizing sentiment. Instead of buckling under the weight of legal, monetary, and geopolitical shocks, investors responded with surprising composure. At the end of the week came a landmark legal decision in the US that struck at the core
Yen strengthened modestly in quiet Asian trading, with many regional centers closed for Lunar New Year. Liquidity remains thin, keeping most major pairs confined within last week’s ranges. Despite limited volatility, Japanese assets offered a subtle signal of resilience. Japan’s government bonds extended gains after the first JGB auction since the snap election passed without
There was no single, dominant theme in currency markets last week. Instead, price action reflected a mix of cross-asset divergences. Dollar ended as the worst performer, despite the fact that Fed expectations barely shifted following high-profile releases of non-farm payrolls and CPI. Meanwhile, US Equities experienced volatility, particularly around renewed AI disruption fears, yet there
Risk aversion reasserted itself across global markets overnight as NASDAQ led US equities sharply lower once again, with AI disruption fears resurfacing as the primary catalyst. Asian markets followed and traded broadly lower. The vulnerability in equities was mirrored in fixed income markets. Safe-haven demand pushed US Treasuries higher, sending the 10-year yield tumbling and
Last week delivered yet another reminder that volatility has become a feature this year, rather than an exception. Sudden repricing episodes continue to emerge, often driven by political and institutional developments rather than changes in economic fundamentals. The latest bout of turbulence was triggered by market repricing around the nomination of former Fed Governor Kevin
Market sentiment staged a sharp U-turn after signs that U.S.–European tensions over Greenland had moved toward resolution. The immediate risk of a transatlantic trade war has been averted for now, allowing investors to unwind defensive positioning built earlier in the week. The pivot lifted global equities, with Japan leading the charge in Asia, while European
Global markets appeared to stabilize somewhat today after the sharp U.S. selloff overnight, which saw the DOW suffer its worst one-day loss since October. That said, the underlying source of stress has not faded. Greenland-related tensions remain unresolved, with no visible path toward de-escalation. The current stabilization looks more like position-squaring, rather than renewed confidence.
The “Sell America” trade gathered further momentum today, with U.S. assets coming under broad pressure as markets returned to full participation. U.S. Treasuries led the move, with the 10-year yield pushing toward 4.3% as bond selling accelerated. U.S. equity futures point to a sharply lower open. The combination of developments has not supported the Dollar,
The second full week of 2026 was dominated by high-level political and macro headlines, leaving markets in a constant state of reassessment rather than conviction. Traders were confronted with a dense mix of headlines, ranging from renewed scrutiny of the Fed’s independence to mounting speculation over who will succeed Jerome Powell as Fed chair. At
With the economic calendar nearly empty, markets are fixated on the escalating political risk surrounding Fed Chair Jerome Powell, who is now under federal criminal investigation linked to the renovation of the Fed’s headquarters and his congressional testimony on the matter. The move has taken markets by surprise, particularly given that Powell’s term as Fed
The first full week of 2026 delivered a barrage of geopolitical shocks that would normally be expected to rattle global markets. Instead, investors largely looked through the noise, producing a market outcome that appears counterintuitive at first glance. The most dramatic development came from Latin America, where the US carried out a direct military intervention
Dollar is trading broadly higher in Asian session today, and remains the strongest performer of the week, as markets head into the December US non-farm payrolls report. Within FX, USD/JPY stands out as a pair to watch, with the pair edging closer to levels that would confirm an upside break. This week’s price action suggests
The past week delivered no shortage of surprises, yet markets ended it with remarkably little conviction. Key macro data and central bank decisions challenged prevailing assumptions, but follow-through across major assets proved elusive. US economic releases hinted at a faster cooling in both employment and inflation. Under normal circumstances, that combination would have fueled enthusiasm
Dollar ended last week broadly lower, outperforming only the even more beleaguered Yen. That said, the technical deterioration in Dollar is still measured rather than decisive. For now, Dollar’s selling momentum reflects hesitation more than capitulation. Two key forces are shaping this fragile balance. The first is indecisive risk sentiment, which remains unsettled rather than
Dollar spent most of the week pinned to the bottom of the performance board, as a steady flow of data reinforced expectations for a Fed rate cut in December. Even though selling pressure eased slightly into Friday—thanks in part to a surprisingly firm rebound in longer-dated Treasury yields—the greenback still struggled to find a foothold.
Japan remains the center of attention in an otherwise quiet Asian session, with traders focused on the relentless climb in JGB yields. The 10-year benchmark surged to a fresh 18-year high today and appears poised to challenge the psychological 2% handle soon, an escalation that is increasingly difficult for global markets to ignore. Much of
