Author
Saqib Iqbal
Bio

Saqib Iqbal is a financial market analyst, serving the industry since 2011. The author is a mentor, providing training to individuals and organizations. Moreover, Saqib is a successful proprietary funds trader, managing a six-figure sum with an average annual ROI of 45%.

European SWOT Market
Fundamental Analysis

Currency Futures Retreat on US Economic Strength

Currency futures closed lower on Friday as the dollar strengthened on more signs the US economy was resilient. Data released on Friday on the manufacturing sector revealed a strong economy that could allow the Federal Reserve to hold higher interest rates for longer.  US factory production (Source: Federal Reserve) Data revealed a recovery in factory Read More…

Interest Futures
Fundamental Analysis

US Wholesale Inflation Surge Sends Interest Futures Plummeting

Interest futures, including the US Treasury Bond, fell on Thursday after data revealed a jump in US wholesale inflation. As a result, investors lost a bit of confidence that the Fed would cut rates in June. This led to an increase in short-term Treasury yields, reflecting interest rate expectations.  US consumer and wholesale inflation (Source: Read More…

Crude Oil Futures
Fundamental Analysis

Oil Prices Spike 3% as Crude Stockpiles Shrink

Oil prices rose almost 3% on Wednesday due to a surprise draw in crude inventories. Moreover, there was a bigger-than-expected decline in US gasoline stocks, indicating robust demand and a looming tightness in the market. US crude inventories (Source: EIA) Notably, economists had expected a 1.3 million barrel increase in crude inventories. However, the Energy Read More…

Fundamental Analysis

Gold Dips Amidst Renewed Inflation Concerns

Gold prices fell on Tuesday after the US inflation report renewed inflation worries and dimmed Fed rate-cut expectations. The Consumer Price Index report revealed a higher-than-expected figure for the annual rate, raising concerns that the Fed might decide to delay rate cuts further. Core US inflation (Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics) Notably, US headline inflation Read More…

Fundamental Analysis

Equities Slide Ahead of Pivotal US Inflation Data Release

Equities ended slightly lower on Monday ahead of US inflation data that might shape the outlook for Fed rate cuts. Investors were cautious, avoiding big positions as they awaited the US CPI report. Additionally, they took profits after Friday’s job report, which revealed weakness in the US labor market. The US will release the Consumer Read More…

Fundamental Analysis

Currency Futures Surge Post US Jobs Report

Currency futures reached new heights on Friday as the dollar weakened after a mixed jobs report. Notably, the US employment report revealed some weakness in the labor market, supporting the view that rate cuts will come later in the year. As a result, most currency futures rose to new highs before pulling back as Friday’s Read More…

Interest Futures
Fundamental Analysis

Interest Futures Soar as Powell Signals Future Rate Cuts

Interest futures rallied on Thursday after Powell confirmed that the Fed will likely cut interest rates later in the year. Consequently, short-term Treasury yields declined, reflecting an increase in rate-cut bets. At the same time, investors positioned themselves ahead of the crucial nonfarm payrolls report that could further influence the Fed’s policy outlook. On Wednesday Read More…

Crude Oil Futures
Fundamental Analysis

Oil Prices Surge as Powell Clarifies Rate Cut Outlook

Oil prices rose on Wednesday after Powell confirmed expectations of rate cuts this year in the US. Additionally, support for oil came from supply and demand worries. While supply continues to tighten, there are demand worries as China’s economy struggles. During his testimony to Congress, Fed Chair Powell confirmed that there will be rate cuts Read More…

Fundamental Analysis

Gold Hits Record Highs on Rate Cut Expectations

Gold prices soared to record highs on Tuesday due to increasing rate-cut expectations. Additionally, the yellow metal got support from a weaker dollar, ongoing geopolitical tensions, and demand from central bank purchases. US services growth (Source: Institute for Supply Management) Rate cut expectations rose on Tuesday after data from the US revealed a decline in Read More…

Fundamental Analysis

Equities Close Slightly Lower as Investors Await US Economic Data

Equities fluctuated on Monday but closed slightly down as investors waited on the sidelines for more high-impact economic releases from the US. Additionally, they awaited more policy clues from Fed Chair Jerome Powell in his testimony before Congress on Wednesday. Notably, the S&P 500 reached temporary highs during the session, propelled by rallies in stocks Read More…