Market Insights

In-depth insights on market events and major trades

Can gold beat the S&P 500 in 2026? Is the path to $5,000 clearer?

Gold has climbed almost 13% from its June low and is again approaching the levels needed to challenge the S&P 500’s 2026 return.

US-Iran ceasefire expires as Hormuz shipping disruption threatens Oil prices

The U.S.-Iran ceasefire framework has reached its deadline without producing the broader agreement markets were expecting. The 60-day memorandum expired on August 17, while negotiations remain stuck over sanctions, Iran’s nuclear program, military arrangements and, increasingly, the future of the Strait of Hormuz.

A 5.2% Treasury yield is complicating Trump tax-cut story

Washington sold $25 billion of 30-year Treasuries at a yield of 5.216%, the highest long-term borrowing cost since 2001. That is not just a technical milestone for the bond market. It is a reminder that the cost of capital across the entire financial system is moving higher at the same time policymakers are discussing measures designed to support investment and risk-taking.

Why are moving averages so popular for traders

Moving averages are one of the most popular technical indicators used by traders to identify trends and analyse price movements. This guide explains how moving averages work, the difference between SMA and EMA, and how they're used across different markets and trading strategies.

14 Aug 2026, 00:00

How to trade in global financial markets

Before placing your first trade, it's important to understand how global markets work, what influences prices and how to manage risk. This guide covers the main financial markets, how traders analyse price movements and the practical steps involved in getting started.

12 Aug 2026, 10:00

Yen bears are testing Tokyo again as policy and politics pull in opposite directions

Yen’s post-intervention rebound is fading, and investors are beginning to challenge Tokyo’s resolve once again. After the coordinated action by Japan and the United States in July, markets initially pulled back from aggressive short-yen positions. That caution is now disappearing. So far in August, the yen has been the only major G10 currency to weaken against the dollar, a sign that traders are rebuilding positions that had been reduced after the intervention.

Fed bets, inflation and Iran risk move back to the center of the market

After several weeks in which investors focused mainly on softer U.S. economic data, markets are once again being pulled between two competing forces: a cooling labour market and the risk that higher energy prices could keep inflation elevated. The combination matters because it directly affects expectations for the Federal Reserve, the U.S. dollar, and broader risk sentiment across equities, bonds.

How inflation-protected bonds work

Inflation-protected bonds are designed to help investors manage the impact of rising prices. By adjusting their principal in line with inflation, they can support purchasing power and add diversification to a portfolio.

10 Aug 2026, 11:00

Gold heads for best week since January as dip-buyers return

Gold is heading for its strongest weekly gain since late January after buyers returned aggressively around key technical levels. Bullion has climbed nearly 6% this week and briefly traded above $4,300 an ounce, although growing expectations of a Federal Reserve rate hike remain a major near-term risk.

Yen’s move below 155 could decide whether historic intervention succeeds

The first coordinated US-Japan yen-buying intervention since 1998 has pulled the currency sharply away from a four-decade low, but the rally now faces its most important test at 155 per dollar. A sustained break through that level could trigger a short squeeze and change trading behavior, while failure may reinforce expectations that the yen will eventually return toward 160.