Global markets rode a volatile week shaped by shifting monetary policy expectations and geopolitical surprises. In the US, Powell’s Jackson Hole remarks landed on the dovish side, signalling risks have tilted toward labour softness and nudging the door open for a September rate cut. At the same time, the Commerce Department revised Q2 GDP up to 3.3% annualised, a firmer base than first thought. Core PCE eased to 2.9% YoY, keeping the disinflation trend intact even as consumer confidence slipped and hiring cooled. Put together, traders leaned into nearly 90% odds of a cut next month.
Markets spent the week waiting for Jackson Hole, and Powell didn’t disappoint. His message was softer than many feared: the Fed now sees the balance of risks shifting, and he even opened the door to a September cut. That was enough to steady nerves after five straight down sessions for Wall Street. By Friday, the Dow was at record highs, the S&P 500 rose, and only the Nasdaq lagged as tech finally cooled.
If you’ve ever booked a holiday months ahead just to lock in a flight price, you already understand the idea of derivatives. In markets, they work the same way.
Every trading community, from the smallest retail account to the largest institutional desk, confronts a universal scarcity: finite capital set against infinite market uncertainty.
Picture this. It’s early morning, coffee in hand, and traders everywhere are hovering over their screens. One number is about to drop. It might be the latest inflation figure. It might be the monthly jobs report. Either way, within seconds it’s across news tickers. And, just like that, markets could jump, stumble, or go haywire.
No surprise moves, but no green light for rate cuts yet either
At its July 2930 meeting, the US Federal Reserve kept interest rates unchanged at 4.25%-4.50%. That’s the same level it’s held since earlier this year, and Fed Chair Jerome Powell made it clear they’re not rushing into any rate cuts just yet.
Japan, deflation, and low-rate environments explained.
You’ve probably heard someone throw around the term “liquidity trap” and just moved on. Fair enough, it does sound like one of those textbook ideas economists obsess over. But here’s the thing. It actually matters, and more than you might think.
The financial landscape in Thailand is growing rapidly, with a number of young and experienced traders looking beyond their local options to access gold trading and forex trading markets.
India is home to a growing population of retail traders, from professionals in finance to everyday investors, with more and more people exploring the potential of forex trading and gold trading.
EUR/USD is trading near its highest level of 2025, and on the surface, the trend looks strong. But traders aren’t just watching the price – they’re asking a deeper question: Is this move backed by real demand, or could it be a short-lived spike?
