Market Insights

In-depth insights on market events and major trades

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.

Understanding moving averages in trading

Moving averages help traders make sense of price movements by smoothing out short-term fluctuations and making broader market trends easier to identify. In this guide, we explore how moving averages work, the differences between SMA and EMA and how traders use them across markets and trading strategies.

14 Aug 2026, 00:00

A beginners guide to trading in global financial markets

Before you place your first trade, it's good to understand how global financial markets operate, what influences prices and how to manage risk effectively. This guide covers the main markets, common trading strategies and the key steps to get started.

12 Aug 2026, 09:45

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.

What are inflation-protected bonds and how do they work?

Inflation-protected bonds link their value to changes in inflation, helping investors defend against the loss of purchasing power. This article explains how they work, how they differ from conventional bonds and what risks to consider.

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.

Iran talks resume: oil market shift focus away from conflict

Oil prices have retreated sharply after President Donald Trump said the United States would hold off on a planned strike against Iran, citing what he described as agreed "parameters" for a rapid diplomatic deal. The announcement eased fears of an immediate military escalation, prompting traders to unwind much of the geopolitical premium that had been built into crude prices during recent weeks.