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Morning Bid: You can't handle the 'Truth' | Reuters Trump may have been aiming for a repeat of Monday's magic on Thursday, but the results were mixed. Following a bruising day for markets, with the tech-heavy Nasdaq slipping 2% to officially enter correction territoryand Brent crude prices up almost 6%to over $108 a barrel, President Trump announced that he was extending his deadlinefor attacking Iranian energy plants yet again to April 6 (8 PM EDT), saying talks with Tehran were going "very well.†Exclusi ...

Ernest HoffmanErnest Hoffman is a Crypto and Market Reporter for Kitco News. He has over 15 years of experience as a writer, editor, broadcaster and producer for media, educational and cultural organizations. Ernest began working in market news in 2007, establishing the broadcast division of CEP News in Montreal, Canada, where he developed the fastest web-based audio news service in the world and produced economic news videos in partnership with MSN and the TMX. He has a Bachelor's degree Specialization in ...

Core Insights - Bitcoin's price has experienced a significant correction, but the underlying infrastructure remains intact, unlike previous downturns where major intermediaries collapsed [2] - Institutional allocation in Bitcoin has not diminished despite short-term ETF outflows, indicating a tightening supply and potential for accelerated price movement when sentiment shifts [3][4] - The market architecture remains stable, with banks and asset managers integrating digital asset capabilities, suggesting a long-term strategic direction [4] Market Dynamics - There has been no systemic event comparable to the FTX collapse in 2022, and the current bearish sentiment is expected to be temporary [4][8] - Confidence in Bitcoin can rebuild quickly due to constrained supply and embedded institutional participation, with expectations of Bitcoin reaching $100,000 by the end of Q2 and potentially new highs by the end of 2026 [5][8] - Recent inflows into spot Bitcoin ETFs, totaling over $680 million, indicate institutional interest and a potential shift towards viewing Bitcoin as a hedge against geopolitical crises and inflation [8][9] Geopolitical and Regulatory Influences - Easing fears regarding the Iran conflict have led investors back into risk assets, with Bitcoin responding rapidly to improved market sentiment [6][7] - Political backing for crypto from figures like President Trump signals a supportive direction for U.S. policy, which could further bolster market confidence [6][7] - The emergence of stablecoins as a digital form of the US dollar places crypto platforms in competition with traditional banks, highlighting the significance of this shift [7] Price Movements and Technical Analysis - Bitcoin's price has increased by 11.4% this week, outperforming major indices like the Nasdaq and S&P 500, indicating its status as a potential safe haven [10] - Key price levels to watch include maintaining strength above $70,900, with resistance noted at $74,000, which could influence future price movements [11]

Oil Market Impact - A significant supply disruption has put 20% of global oil supply at risk, leading to a sharp increase in Brent crude prices from $72.50 to around $85, representing an increase of approximately 17-18% [1] - The market is beginning to price in a risk premium due to the ongoing conflict, with initial expectations of a 6-7% increase in Brent prices now being reassessed as a larger shock [2] - As the conflict continues, oil prices in the mid-$80s are seen as reasonable, although the equity market appears to be underestimating the potential long-term impact [3][4] Equity Market Response - The S&P 500 has shown minimal decline of about 1-1.5% since the onset of the crisis, indicating a level of complacency among investors [4][5] - The U.S. equity market's resilience may stem from its status as a small net exporter of oil, which provides some comfort despite rising gas prices affecting consumers [5] Winners and Losers - Commodity exporters, particularly oil exporters, are currently benefiting from the situation, while commodity importers face challenges due to rising costs [6] - Historical context shows that during the initial shock of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, commodity exporters in Latin America saw significant currency appreciation, while major importers like Turkey and India struggled [7] Currency Dynamics - The rising oil prices, priced in dollars, are influencing currency markets, with increased demand for dollars as countries seek to purchase oil [9] - The dollar is experiencing a temporary boost due to risk aversion, as U.S. investors repatriate foreign assets during periods of uncertainty [11][13] - Expectations suggest that once the current uncertainty subsides, the dollar may resume its decline, particularly if oil prices stabilize or decrease [14]

Neils ChristensenNeils Christensen has a diploma in journalism from Lethbridge College and has more than a decade of reporting experience working for news organizations throughout Canada. His experiences include covering territorial and federal politics in Nunavut, Canada. He has worked exclusively within the financial sector since 2007, when he started with the Canadian Economic Press. Neils can be contacted at: 1 866 925 4826 ext. 1526 nchristensen at kitco.com @Neils_cShareDisclaimer: The views expressed ...

Core Viewpoint - Gold has traditionally been viewed as a safe haven asset during periods of market volatility, but recent fluctuations are challenging this perception [1] Group 1 - Recent market volatility has led to a reassessment of gold's role as a safe haven asset [1] - Investors are experiencing increased uncertainty, prompting a search for alternative safe-haven investments [1] - The narrative surrounding gold as a reliable store of value is being tested amid changing market dynamics [1]

2025 was a disappointing year for Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) bulls. The world's top cryptocurrency saw wild swings, but it ultimately fell more than 5% for the whole year. That drop can be attributed to Treasury yields, which remained high even as the Fed cut its benchmark rate, to messy macro headwinds, and to a rotation toward more conservative investments. Bitcoin is off to a better start in 2026. It's only risen about 1% year-to-date as of this writing, but a few catalysts might stabilize its price and dr ...

Group 1: Gold Price Milestone - The spot price of gold has surpassed $5,000 per troy ounce for the first time, reaching a high of $5,115 [1][7] - The price of gold has nearly doubled over the past year, driven by strong investor demand amid economic and geopolitical uncertainty [1][3] Group 2: Investor Sentiment and Market Dynamics - Investor appetite for gold remains strong as it is viewed as a safe haven during volatile times [1][3] - Concerns about inflation and expectations for two Federal Reserve rate cuts this year have supported gold prices into 2026 [4] - The recent rise in gold prices has also positively impacted emerging markets ETFs, with significant gains observed in metal-focused funds [5][6] Group 3: Future Projections - Analysts are targeting higher gold prices, with some projecting a potential rise to $6,000 and even $10,000 by the end of 2029 [3][8] - The demand for gold is further fueled by emerging market central bank purchases aimed at hedging against the U.S. dollar [3]

Earnings Focus - Major companies reporting earnings this week include Tesla, Meta, Microsoft, and Apple, all of which are currently trading below their recent all-time highs, indicating potential investment opportunities [2][3] - Other significant earnings reports will come from US consumer stocks such as Visa, Mastercard, and American Express, providing insights into the US consumer market [2][3] Federal Reserve Meeting - The Federal Reserve meeting is anticipated to have a 97% chance of maintaining current interest rates, with the press conference expected to cover various topics including Fed independence and future interest rate outlooks [4][5][6] - Market reactions may be influenced by discussions surrounding the dollar and Japanese yen, particularly in relation to potential interventions by the Japanese bank [7][9] Precious Metals Market - Gold prices have surged above $5,000, with a notable increase of $85, reflecting its status as a safe haven asset amid a declining US dollar [8][10] - The relationship between a lower US dollar and higher precious metals prices is highlighted, with the Japanese yen also showing a 1.2% increase [9][10] Weather Impact - Severe winter weather is affecting various regions, including record low temperatures and power outages impacting hundreds of thousands of people, which may have economic implications [11][12][13]