Trade Reviews

Professional and technical analysis on products and past trades

Can LNG shortages and Hormuz push Natural Gas prices higher?

Europe is entering winter with much less gas in storage than traders would normally want, just as the conflict around Iran continues to disrupt one of the world's most important LNG routes. EU storage is only about 65% full, the lowest late-summer level in at least 15 years and well below the roughly 82% five-year average.

US dollar weakens amid disappointing private payrolls data

Disappointing ADP private payrolls data signalled a slowdown in US job growth, weighing on the US Dollar Index. Consequently, market expectations of a Federal Reserve interest rate hike moderated, shifting investor focus towards upcoming official employment and inflation reports.

Can ETF buying offset the Fed's pressure after the $70 rejection?

The rejection near $70 was not simply a technical failure. It came at the same time the dollar strengthened, Treasury yields pushed higher and investors began pricing a more restrictive Federal Reserve after fresh inflation concerns tied to the Middle East. At the same time, ETF investors quietly started rebuilding positions after months of selling, creating a rare split between weaker price momentum and improving investment demand.

Japan’s bond yields hit the 3% mark, adding to BoJ policy challenges; USD/JPY rises

Japanese 10-year bond yields have hit a 30-year high of 3%, intensifying pressure on the Bank of Japan to hike interest rates despite economic weakness. Meanwhile, the USD/JPY pair maintains bullish momentum.

Euro finds itself caught between the ECB and the Dollar

The ECB has done enough to keep September's rate hike almost fully priced, but that has not translated into a stronger euro. Instead, the currency is being pulled by a different force: U.S. bond yields are rising again, oil has become another tailwind for the dollar, and Kevin Warsh has shifted the conversation back toward the Federal Reserve's inflation credibility.

Brent crude rises as renewed US-Iran attacks heighten geopolitical risks

Renewed US–Iran strikes have pushed Brent crude above $90 per barrel, heightening energy supply and inflation concerns whilst elevating Federal Reserve rate-hike expectations and pushing 10-year US Treasury yields higher.

Fed's Kevin Warsh keeps door open to further rate hikes; Nasdaq retreats

The Nasdaq fell by 0.70% as hawkish comments from Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh elevated expectations of a rate hike in September, driving US Treasury yields and the US dollar higher.

Week ahead: bond markets took control. Now jobs data gets the final say

The market spent this week chasing a different driver almost every day. Inflation refused to cool enough for the Federal Reserve to relax, Europe moved closer to another rate hike, and oil stopped trading purely on war headlines. By Friday, one thing became clear. Markets have entered a phase where bond markets are setting the pace, while next week's labour-market data could decide whether central banks keep tightening or finally gain room to wait.

German consumer confidence improves on strong income expectations; Euro holds steady

German consumer confidence has improved, driven by rising income expectations. Although the index remains in negative territory, the result signals a potential economic recovery while the Euro holds steady.

AUD/USD advances as inflation exceeds market expectations

The AUD/USD pair rose to 0.7174 after Australian inflation decelerated less than expected to 3.5%.