Asian stocks experienced their biggest plunge in nearly a year, with South Korean stocks posting their biggest drop since the 2008 global financial crisis, as growing concerns about a war with Iran triggered capital outflows from some of the world's best-performing markets. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index plunged 4.5%, while South Korean stocks fell as much as 12%, as panic spread among traders. Before the crash, the Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI), a benchmark...

READ MORE >

Stocks fell and bonds declined further as the Iran-Iraq war entered its fourth day with no signs of abating, amid fears of a prolonged disruption to energy markets and soaring inflation. S&P 500 futures fell 1.6%. Benchmark stock indices in Europe and Asia were on track for their biggest one-day drop since April. Brent crude rose 7%, briefly breaking $85 a barrel, reaching its highest level since July 2024. European gas prices added another 28%...

READ MORE >

On Tuesday, Asian stocks faced renewed pressure as the Iran war caused oil prices to surge, triggering inflation concerns and dragging down bond prices, while US stocks erased early losses. The dollar and gold prices rose as investors sought safe-haven assets. Japanese stock index futures fell, and Australian stocks opened lower. Hong Kong futures contracts rose, and South Korean stocks rebounded after a long weekend. The S&P 500 closed flat on Monday, after earlier losses,...

READ MORE >

Based on the 4-hour chart for XAUUSD, the technical picture shows a strong bullish momentum, with the following key observations: Price Action and Moving Averages Gold has recently broken out of a consolidation phase with consecutive large bullish candles, reaching a new recent high around $5,363 per ounce. The short-term (red) and medium-term (blue) moving averages are trending upwards in a bullish formation, and the price is trading firmly above them, confirming the strength of...

READ MORE >

With the fourth-quarter earnings season nearing its end, only a few companies remain to release their reports, including Broadcom, JD Sports Fashion, and Costco Wholesale. The US economic data schedule is packed, with key releases including the February jobs report, the ISM Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) survey, and January retail sales data. The US is expected to have added approximately 60,000 jobs last month, down from 130,000 in January, and the unemployment rate is expected...

READ MORE >