The S&P 500 edged up by less than 0.1% and hovered near its all-time high set earlier this week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 162 points, or 0.3%, while the Nasdaq composite slipped 0.6%, weighed down by losses in large technology stocks, AP reported.Technology shares drove much of the divergence. Microsoft slumped 10.4% despite reporting stronger-than-expected profit and revenue for the latest quarter. Investors instead focused on the company’s rising capital expenditure, concerns over the pace of ...

Core Viewpoint - Gold remains stable in early Asian trading, supported by geopolitical risks that enhance its safe-haven appeal [1] Group 1 - The stability of gold prices is attributed to ongoing geopolitical tensions [1] - Geopolitical risks are typically associated with increased demand for safe-haven assets like gold [1]

Group 1: Dollar Index and Economic Indicators - The dollar index (DXY00) rose by +0.30% but remained below Monday's 3.5-week high, supported by higher T-note yields and comments from Richmond Fed President Tom Barkin regarding expected tax cuts and deregulation to boost growth this year [1] - The US December S&P services PMI was revised downward by -0.4 to 52.5 from the previously reported 52.9, indicating a slight weakening in service sector activity [3] - The markets are currently pricing in an 18% chance of a -25 basis point rate cut at the FOMC's next meeting on January 27-28, reflecting market expectations for monetary policy adjustments [4] Group 2: Fed Policy and Interest Rates - Fed Governor Stephen Miran indicated that Fed policy is "clearly restrictive" and suggested that more than 100 basis points of rate cuts are justified this year, highlighting a potential shift in monetary policy [4] - The dollar is under pressure as the Fed is expected to cut interest rates by about -50 basis points in 2026, contrasting with expectations for the Bank of Japan to raise rates by +25 basis points in the same year [5] - Concerns about President Trump's potential appointment of a dovish Fed Chair, likely to be National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett, are contributing to bearish sentiment for the dollar [6] Group 3: Geopolitical Factors - The dollar retains some safe-haven support due to escalating geopolitical risks in Venezuela, particularly following the US capturing Venezuelan President Maduro and President Trump's comments about temporarily "running" Venezuela [1]

Core Viewpoint - Gold prices increased in early Asian trading due to heightened geopolitical risks following the removal of Venezuelan President Maduro, which may boost the safe-haven appeal of gold [1] Group 1 - The ousting of Venezuelan President Maduro has contributed to increased geopolitical tensions [1] - The rise in gold prices reflects a shift in investor sentiment towards safe-haven assets amid uncertainty [1]

Core Viewpoint - Gold reached a record high in early Asian trading due to increasing geopolitical risks, which typically boost the safe-haven appeal of the precious metal [1] Group 1 - The rise in gold prices is attributed to heightened geopolitical tensions, which often lead investors to seek safer assets [1]

Core Viewpoint - Gold prices increased during the morning Asian session due to heightened geopolitical tensions, which typically boost the demand for safe-haven assets like gold [1] Group 1 - The rise in gold prices is attributed to geopolitical tensions that enhance its appeal as a safe-haven investment [1]

While tech and tariffs may represent the most influential drivers in the market this year, the precious metals complex has benefited from an unusually bullish backdrop. Along with general fears tied to economic stability, inflation has been at the forefront of investors' minds. Subsequently, the safe-haven status of gold sent prices soaring — though the narrative may be shifting.Earlier, the erosion of dollar strength inspired market participants to seek the relative protection of gold. As a commodity comma ...

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses recent financial data and trends, highlighting significant changes in various metrics that may impact investment decisions. Group 1: Financial Metrics - The financial data indicates a notable decrease of 39.25% in a specific metric, suggesting potential volatility in the market [2] - Another metric shows a value of 57.11, which may reflect a positive trend in certain sectors [2] - A third metric is reported at 37.22, indicating a stable performance amidst fluctuations [2] Group 2: Market Trends - The overall market sentiment appears to be cautious, with a reported decline of 25.99% in another relevant area, signaling potential risks for investors [2] - The data also includes a figure of 79.45, which could represent a benchmark for evaluating future performance [2] - The article emphasizes the importance of monitoring these metrics closely to identify emerging investment opportunities [2]