Gold has started 2025 with a bang, rallying more than 5% in January and reigniting hopes of a test of the all-time highs reached last October. As momentum builds and macroeconomic conditions remain supportive, the pressing question for traders is whether the metal has enough fuel to break into uncharted territory. The Factors Driving Gold’s Strong Start to...
Volume is one of those metrics that often sits quietly at the bottom of your chart, unnoticed by many traders. Yet, it plays a critical role in understanding the market’s behaviour. Think of volume as the fuel behind price movements—without it, even the most promising breakout can fizzle out. But, just like with fuel, more isn’t always better. Today, we’re...
USD/CAD has quickly become the currency pair to watch as Donald Trump’s tariff threats shake the foundations of North American trade. With rising political uncertainty on both sides of the border and increasingly volatile price action, this pair is presenting both risks and opportunities for traders. Trump’s 25% Tariff Threat Donald Trump wasted no time...
The FTSE reached record highs on Friday, lifted by optimism around potential rate cuts and a weaker pound. Let’s break down the forces driving this breakout and assess whether the rally has the legs to go further. Rate Cut Hopes Drive Momentum The foundation of the FTSE’s recent rally lies in fresh hopes for interest rate cuts. Disappointing UK retail sales...
Trade management is one of the most crucial skills for any trader, especially when it comes to knowing when to cut your losses early. One of the key methods to achieve this is through the use of Time Stops, which provide a systematic way to assess your trades and manage risk. While traditional stop losses are indispensable for protecting your capital against...
The S&P 500 is facing its first real test of 2025 as robust economic data and shifting Federal Reserve expectations create turbulence. Let’s take a look at the fundamental factors behind the pullback, along with the sector dynamics, and the key technical levels in play. Why Is the Market Wobbling? Last week’s payroll report delivered a surprise, with 256,000...
With the British government taking a battering in the bond markets and stronger-than-expected US economic data, we explore how low GBP/USD could sink in the weeks ahead. A Crisis of Confidence: Weak UK Fiscal Plans Meet Strong US Data The recent slide in GBP/USD reflects a perfect storm of weak UK fiscal credibility and robust US economic performance....
January is the perfect time to reflect on your trading journey and set clear, purposeful goals for the year ahead. With a fresh calendar comes the opportunity to reassess your strategies, refine your approach, and establish targets that support consistent growth. However, many traders fall into the trap of setting overly ambitious goals that quickly fall by the...
USD/CAD broke lower on Monday, surprising traders who had been expecting a continuation of the uptrend. Political developments in both the US and Canada were the catalysts behind this sharp move, with the pair closing below a key consolidation range. US Dollar Weakens on Trump Tariff News The US dollar weakened after reports suggested that Donald Trump might...
Brent Crude has burst out of its wedge pattern, climbing over 7% from its December lows. But with macro uncertainties looming, can this breakout hold—or is it just a false dawn? What’s Behind Brent’s Recent Rally? A combination of factors has propelled Brent higher in recent weeks. Cold weather gripping the US and Europe has spiked demand for heating...
As 2024 draws to a close, let’s take a deep dive into the performance of the UK’s flagship index. We’ll explore the standout sectors, technical dynamics, and the key moments that defined 2024 for the FTSE 100. The Big Picture: FTSE 100’s Weekly Technical Story Looking at the weekly candle chart, the FTSE 100’s broader post-pandemic uptrend remains intact,...
With the festive season upon us, there tends to be a natural decline in trading activity as many market participants step away to enjoy the holidays. This change in rhythm creates unique market dynamics, offering traders an opportunity to observe and adapt to a different set of conditions. Liquidity often decreases during this time, which can influence price...
EUR/USD is holding its breath at a significant support level as the Federal Reserve gears up for tomorrow’s interest rate decision. The market is balancing what feels like a finely poised mix: sticky inflation, resilient US economic data, and the risk of overly aggressive policy easing. In short, the market is jittery, and EUR/USD is reflecting that perfectly. ...
Pullbacks are a bread-and-butter pattern for anyone trading trends. A market moves with momentum, takes a breather, and then resumes its original direction. Today, we’re diving into a refined variation of this classic setup: the nested pullback. What Is the Nested Pullback? The nested pullback takes the traditional pullback and adds a twist. After the market...
China’s latest monetary policy shift has set the stage for renewed optimism in US-listed Chinese stocks. For Alibaba (BABA), this could mark the beginning of a turnaround, as stimulus-driven momentum starts to reignite investor confidence. A Rollercoaster Ride for BABA Alibaba’s share price has been on a rollercoaster ride in recent months. The stock surged...
With GBP/USD pulling back against the dominant downtrend, let’s explore the various ways traders can approach selling into this retracement. A blend of technical insights and a disciplined strategy is essential to navigating such setups effectively. GBP/USD: Assessing the Pullback Over the past two weeks, GBP/USD has been in mean reversion mode, bouncing...
The path to successful trading can sometimes feel overwhelming. The reality is daunting, with numerous small and often psychologically challenging biases that need to be overcome daily. However, an awareness of certain chain reactions—like the "Cascade Effect"—can make the mountain top feel within reach. By harnessing this effect, traders can set in motion a...
Brent crude oil has been consolidating near a critical support level for more than two months. With the stage set for a decisive breakout, let’s explore what’s driving the market and where we could go from here. A Fragile Geopolitical Backdrop Although a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah was agreed last Wednesday, the environment in the middle east is...