The U.S. dollar held close to multi-week lows as market participants increasingly priced in a Federal Reserve interest-rate cut in September, with many investors treating such a move as highly likely. At the same time, the Japanese yen strengthened versus the dollar after comments from Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who said the Bank of Japan … Read more

Global currency markets saw pronounced volatility on Tuesday as traders weighed several developments, including President Trump’s widening tariff proposals and the market reaction to DeepSeek’s disruptive AI announcement. Reports that the administration is considering tariffs on computer chips, pharmaceuticals and steel — along with discussion of a potential universal tariff starting at 2.5% — pushed … Read more

Stock markets ended last week on a strong note: the S&P 500 climbed 1.6%, the Nasdaq rose 2.3%, and the Dow gained just over 1%, bringing the S&P 500 to within roughly 2% of its record high. The advance followed May’s jobs report, which showed payrolls increased by 139,000 and the unemployment rate remained at … Read more

A UBS survey of nearly 40 central banks highlights notable concerns about U.S. financial stability. Close to half of respondents say a U.S. debt restructuring is a real possibility, and roughly two-thirds express worry about the Federal Reserve’s independence in light of public criticism from President Trump and other White House officials. Despite those worries, … Read more

The recent, unusual rise in Treasury yields has sparked a lively debate among economists. Nobel laureate Paul Krugman has even suggested an “insanity premium” tied to outspoken policy proposals from the incoming administration. With plans that include large tariffs, significant tax cuts, and stricter immigration enforcement, many economists now see greater risks of higher inflation. … Read more

The debate between digital gold and physical gold is more relevant than ever. Investors today can choose to hold a tangible gold coin or to own exposure to gold through a smartphone app. Each approach ties to the same underlying metal, but ownership, rights, risks, and costs differ substantially. Below is a clear guide to … Read more

Bond markets are increasingly signalling investor concern about government fiscal policies, and the UK has become a key area of focus. What started as a broad, US-led global bond sell-off—driven by markets reducing expectations for Federal Reserve rate cuts—has developed into a sharper challenge for sterling debt. Thirty-year gilt yields have climbed to levels not … Read more

According to UBS Investment Bank strategist Joni Teves, gold’s recent rally may have room to run even after reaching record highs. Teves points to inflation dynamics as the central driver of further gains, highlighting the potential for newly imposed tariffs to act as a meaningful inflationary impulse. In her view, tariff-driven price pressures would create … Read more

When margin requirements change suddenly, markets don’t slowly adapt — they react quickly. That is exactly what happened after CME Group announced on February 6, 2026, that it was raising margin requirements on COMEX 5,000-ounce silver futures from 15% to 18%, along with adjustments to certain gold futures contracts. The decision followed an extraordinary silver … Read more

US gold futures and spot prices have realigned after President Trump reassured markets that imported bullion will not be hit with US tariffs. A surprise ruling from US Customs last week had pushed COMEX futures more than $100 above London spot prices, triggering volatility across trading desks. The President’s message, “Gold will not be Tariffed!”, … Read more