Trade Reviews

Professional and technical analysis on products and past trades

Canadian dollar under pressure from a hawkish Federal Reserve and weaker oil prices

The Canadian dollar has weakened as hawkish Federal Reserve expectations continue to bolster the US dollar, while a 30% decline in Brent crude has impacted Canada’s commodity-linked revenues.

Germany’s trade surplus exceeds forecasts; Euro strengthens against dollar

Germany’s trade surplus widened sharply to €19.1 billion in May, beating forecasts as exports increased and imports declined. Stronger shipments to the US, China, and the UK signalled resilience in the external sector despite geopolitical uncertainty.

USD/JPY tests intervention zone as yen pressure builds

Washington has placed Japan on the U.S. Treasury’s 2026 monitoring list. That does not stop Tokyo from intervening, but it makes the decision more sensitive, Japanese yields have climbed to their highest levels in three decades, and the old carry-trade advantage is starting to fade.

9 Jul 2026, 13:19

Brent nears $80 per barrel amid renewed tensions in the Strait of Hormuz

Brent crude closed significantly higher at $78.02 per barrel, following a 5.20% appreciation, as a resurgence in US-Iran hostilities poses a severe threat to global energy flows within the critical Strait of Hormuz transit corridor.

Nasdaq slips on renewed AI valuation concerns and geopolitical instability

The Nasdaq futures contract retreated by 1.81% to close at 29, 392 points, as market participants increasingly scrutinised elevated artificial intelligence (AI) valuations. Concurrently, a sharp escalation in Middle Eastern geopolitical tensions drove crude oil prices higher, stoking market expectations of a more hawkish monetary policy stance from the Federal Reserve.

Gold near 4,070: correction or Failed Recovery?

Gold’s rally is no longer being driven by one single force. Central bank demand is still providing a strong floor, while ETF investors are continuing to add exposure even if the pace has cooled from last year’s strongest levels. That combination matters because it shows gold demand is still broad but not overheated in the same way it was during earlier waves of aggressive inflows.

8 Jul 2026, 13:16

OPEC+ agrees to raise oil output from August; Brent declines slightly

OPEC+ agreed to raise output quotas by 188,000 barrels per day from August, adding to earlier increases and pressuring oil prices as flows through the Strait of Hormuz normalise. Brent edged lower, extending a sharp two-month decline.

Dow Jones hits record high amid softer nonfarm payrolls

The Dow Jones reached a fresh record high as softer US payrolls reduced expectations of near-term Federal Reserve tightening, supporting rotation into non-technology equities. Payrolls slowed sharply to 57,000, while unemployment fell to 4.2%.

DXY surge reflects a Fed regime shift more than a simple rally

The dollar’s move is no longer just a reaction to stronger US data. DXY trading at a 52-week high suggests markets are starting to price a deeper policy shift after Kevin Warsh’s debut remarks. His focus on price stability, rejection of forward guidance, and cautious stance on future decisions are changing how investors think about the Fed’s reaction function.

Eurozone inflation slows more than expected; Euro weakens

Eurozone inflation slowed more than expected in June, easing pressure on the ECB as both headline and core readings declined, although inflation remains above target. The euro weakened against the dollar as softer data contrasted with expectations of further Federal Reserve tightening.