It’s one of those weeks where nothing quite adds up. Stock futures are sliding as if war is about to erupt, yet gold, normally the go-to in times of crisis, is drifting lower, almost as if peace is on the horizon. Oil and natural gas prices are charging upward, as if conflict is inevitable, while bond yields are rising too, as if the world is quietly expecting a diplomatic breakthrough. Even silver seems unsure of itself, slipping just enough to raise eyebrows. 

In short, the market can’t seem to make up its mind - and when sentiment is this scrambled, gold rarely stays still for long.

Gold’s price movement: Why the odd silence?

For all the geopolitical fireworks, gold is trading in a narrow range between $3,340 and $3,400 - hardly the behaviour of an asset under pressure. 

It’s the kind of subdued movement you’d expect from a sleepy summer session, not a market staring down the possibility of protracted Middle East conflict. But there it is: flat, stubborn, and strangely calm.

Part of this can be chalked up to timing. The Juneteenth holiday in the US brought lower trading volumes, and low liquidity has a knack for muting reactions or exaggerating them, depending on the hour. Yet even before the holiday lull, gold had been behaving oddly subdued, shrugging off headlines that would usually send it flying.

Gold and inflation

What makes this moment so fascinating is how contradictory the broader market signals are. Oil and natural gas are acting like we’re on the cusp of something serious, buoyed by reports of Israeli airstrikes on Iranian infrastructure and warnings of potential US involvement. The risk to global energy flows, especially through the Strait of Hormuz, which handles about 20% of the world’s oil, feels very real.

On the other hand, rising bond yields suggest a degree of investor optimism, or at least a belief that any geopolitical disruption will be short-lived. The US dollar is also regaining strength, helped along by the Federal Reserve’s steady hand and Jerome Powell’s cautious tone. The Fed held rates at 4.25%–4.50% in its latest meeting, but signalled it’s in no rush to start cutting. For now, that means the dollar stays attractive - and gold, priced in dollars, stays under pressure.

Gold market trends: Is gold just waiting?

Despite its current calm, gold may simply be biding its time. Markets have a habit of reacting slowly - until they don’t. A single headline, a surprise strike, or a shift in central bank messaging could be enough to snap gold out of its trance. And when that happens, the move could be explosive.

We’ve seen this before. During the US-Iran standoff in 2019, gold surged 10 - 15% in a matter of days. 

When Russia invaded Ukraine, gold didn’t immediately soar - but once it moved, it didn’t look back. Markets’ early confusion often gives way to sharp repricing once a dominant narrative takes hold.

Right now, there’s no clear consensus. Is the world edging closer to war, or are backchannel peace talks quietly defusing the situation? Are central banks bluffing about their hawkish stance, or will inflation force them to stay tight? Until traders pick a side, gold remains the great reflector of market uncertainty - quiet, but alert.

Middle East conflict impact on gold prices

The geopolitical backdrop is nothing short of combustible. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has openly called for intensified attacks, even targeting Iran’s Supreme Leader Khamenei by name.

Russia, meanwhile, has warned that any US military intervention in Iran would be “extremely dangerous” and bring “unpredictable consequences.” Reports also suggest President Trump is weighing military options, including action against Iran’s underground Fordow nuclear facility.

Against this backdrop, gold’s quiet feels more like hesitation than confidence. Investors might be holding their breath, waiting for the next piece of news to tip the balance. But gold doesn’t need a war to rally - it needs uncertainty, and there’s plenty of that already baked in.

Gold price outlook: What to watch

For gold to break higher, two things likely need to happen. First, a meaningful escalation in the Middle East, something that clearly threatens global stability or energy flows, could spark a surge in demand for safe havens. Second, a shift in Fed language or US inflation data (such as the upcoming Core PCE Price Index) that suggests monetary policy may loosen sooner than expected.

At the time of writing, Gold is showing a clear sell bias on the daily chart, with the volume bars showing dominant sell pressure over the past few days. However, the volume bars show waning sell pressure, hinting that we could see a price uptick. If we see an uptick, prices could find resistance at the $3,440 and $3,500 price levels. Conversely, if we see a further slump, prices could find support at the $3,300 and $3,260 support price levels

Is gold about to explode? You can speculate on Gold’s price trajectory with a Deriv X and a Deriv MT5 account.

Just a few weeks ago, it looked like global investors were falling out of love with American markets. After years of flooding into U.S. equities, the money started to trickle elsewhere. Between December and April, global stock funds excluding the U.S. attracted a record $2.5 billion - most of it in just three months. 

Trump’s turbo-charged tariffs and rising political unpredictability spooked markets, and with portfolios already bloated with Big Tech, some argued the pullback was overdue.

But just as the smart money seemed to be diversifying away, here comes the twist: the S&P 500 is now storming back toward a record high, and foreign investors are once again piling into U.S. assets at near-record pace. 

So, what’s really going on? Is this a vote of confidence in American resilience - or is the rally resting on narrow shoulders and borrowed conviction?

Global market trends: Foreign capital inflows resurging

According to Bank of America, foreign purchases of U.S. assets are on track to hit $138 billion this year - the second-largest annual haul ever. Equity funds are leading the charge, with $136 billion of that headed into stocks, suggesting global investors are warming back up to risk.

Zoom out a bit, and the picture becomes even more striking: since 2020, overseas buyers have poured a whopping $547 billion into U.S. markets - roughly $350 billion of that into equities alone. For all the talk of diversification and global rotation, the gravitational pull of Wall Street is proving hard to resist.

So, why the change of heart?

Chaos, confidence and investor psychology

The answer may lie in a blend of relative strength and global uncertainty. While the U.S. has its fair share of economic and political drama, trade tensions, ballooning deficits, immigration crackdowns, it’s still seen as a safer bet than many of its peers. 

Europe remains sluggish, China’s post-COVID rebound is losing steam, and emerging markets are battling inflation and currency risk. Add to that a cooling inflation story and softer-than-expected tariff impacts, and you’ve got a market that, while wobbly, still stands taller than most.

There's also the matter of investor psychology: when the world looks shaky, money often heads to where it feels most familiar - and liquid. For global allocators, that usually means U.S. stocks.

A rally carried by Magnificent 7 stocks

But before we get too carried away, let’s look under the bonnet. This rally isn’t being fuelled by a broad swathe of the market - it’s being carried by a very short list. 

Strip away the so-called Magnificent 7, Microsoft, Apple, Amazon, Nvidia, Tesla, Meta and Alphabet, and the market’s performance looks far less heroic. In fact, without them, the S&P 500’s rally since April would be nearly cut in half. In 2024, the Magnificent 7 grew so large they nearly matched the entire stock markets of the UK, Canada, and Japan combined.

The equal-weighted S&P, which treats all companies the same regardless of size, is still nearly 5% off its record high. That tells us something: most stocks aren't flying. Just the biggest ones are.

This kind of concentration isn’t new - it’s been a feature of U.S. markets for years. But it does raise the risk profile. If even one of these tech titans stumbles, the whole index could wobble. In a sense, investors aren’t banking on America as a whole - they’re doubling down on a handful of high-octane names they know.

Bond outflows, risk on sentiment

And it’s not just about what’s going in - it’s also about what’s coming out. Recent data from Morningstar shows U.S. bond funds have seen $43 billion in outflows, as investors shift away from defensive positions and back into equities. It’s a classic risk-on move, signalling renewed appetite for growth - or at least the returns that come with it.

This rotation may look brave, but it’s not necessarily irrational. With inflation cooling and the Fed keeping rates steady for now, yields have stopped climbing. Meanwhile, stocks, especially tech, offer a shot at real upside, even if valuations are stretched.

S&P 500 outlook: Is this the real thing or a head fake?

So, is this a real resurgence or just another mirage? That depends on whether you see the glass as half full or strategically positioned beneath a leaky pipe, according to analysts.

On one hand, foreign capital is a powerful tailwind, and history shows that such inflows can fuel sustained rallies. But on the other hand, the market’s gains are disproportionately reliant on a few mega-cap stocks, and the structural concerns, debt, geopolitics, policy whiplash, haven’t vanished.

At the time of writing, the S&P 500 has seen a significant retreat. A downside bias is evident on the daily chart, though volume bars show almost even sell-side and buy-side pressures, hinting at potential price consolidation. 

Should the S&P 500 see an uptick, prices could encounter resistance at the $6,075 and $6,144 levels. On the other hand, should the S&P 500 see a further slump, prices could be held at the $5,790 and $5,550 support levels. 

Is the S&P 500 going to break its record?  You can speculate on US markets with a Deriv X and a  Deriv MT5 account.

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Is oil's century-long dominance over global markets finally ending? 

As renewable energy gains ground and demand patterns shift, understanding oil's historical influence becomes crucial for navigating today's energy transition.

From the first Texas oil boom to today’s volatile energy markets, oil has shaped global power, fuelled conflict, and driven economic growth. But as we enter a new era of renewables and climate goals, is its dominance finally fading?

In this video, we examine oil's journey through:

• The birth of Big Oil and its early impact on wars and industry growth
• OPEC’s rise and the geopolitical shocks of the 1970s
• Price crashes, oil wars, and modern market manipulation
• The 2020 oil collapse and the rise of renewable alternatives
• Is peak oil demand finally here?

This is your guide to understanding how oil shaped the past. And what role it will play in the future.

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It’s been a blockbuster year for AI stocks, and few have shone brighter than Palantir and IBM. One has been dubbed a “runaway freight train,” and the other is leading the Dow thanks to quantum computing ambitions that sound like something out of sci-fi. 

Both have surged to record highs, riding the AI wave with style - but here’s the real question: Is this just the warm-up, or have they already hit their stride for the year?

With analyst views all over the shop and market sentiment flickering between FOMO and caution, it’s time to take a closer look. 

Are Palantir and IBM still climbing - or are they now flirting with the ceiling?

Palantir stock outlook: The freight train that won’t slow down?

Let’s start with Palantir. Its stock has rocketed nearly 90% higher in 2025, fuelled by a heady mix of government contracts, AI narrative momentum, and big, bold projections.

Loop Capital recently called it a “runaway freight train never coming back,” raising their price target to a staggering $155, well above the Wall Street average of $95. Bold stuff. The firm was clear, though: “PLTR is not for the faint of heart.” 

Palantir’s software, particularly Foundry, has embedded itself in several key U.S. government agencies, including Homeland Security and Health and Human Services. These aren’t flashy consumer apps; they’re high-stakes, behind-the-scenes tools with long-term value. And they’re giving investors reasons to believe.

But here’s the issue: Palantir’s revenue is still relatively small - just $3.1 billion over the past 12 months. Even with a strong 39% year-on-year growth rate, it would take over a decade to reach $100 billion in revenue, and that’s assuming everything keeps going smoothly. That’s a long track for this freight train to ride.

Oh, and let’s not forget the TAM (total addressable market) debate. Optimists say it could hit $1.4 trillion by 2033. Realists? They point out that even Palantir’s own conservative estimate was $120 billion - still far from today’s actual numbers.

So, is Palantir still climbing? Possibly. But at these prices, analysts say a lot of future success could already be baked in.

IBM stock outlook: Big blue’s reboot

Then there’s IBM. The elder statesman of tech has found a fresh lease of life, charging above $284 and dragging the Dow Jones up with it. Not bad for a company that’s spent the last decade dodging the “has-been” label.

The buzz is mostly centred on two big things: AI and quantum computing. IBM isn’t trying to be trendy - it’s targeting the heavy-duty stuff. Its partnership with Finanz Informatik, serving Germany’s Sparkassen-Finanzgruppe, shows that its hybrid cloud and AI stack have real-world, enterprise-scale appeal.

Then there’s the quantum moonshot. IBM recently announced it’s building the world’s first large-scale, fault-tolerant quantum computer, with the Starling system set to land in Poughkeepsie, New York, by 2029 and scale up by 2033. 

It aims to handle 20,000 times more operations than today’s quantum machines. That’s not just incremental progress - it’s a full-blown tech revolution- if it works. The market liked it, and investors piled in. With annual revenue at $62.8 billion, IBM looks a lot more grounded than some of its smaller, flashier peers.

But analysts remain divided. Stifel’s all-in with a Buy rating and a $290 price target. UBS? Not impressed, slapping on a Sell and calling for a retrace to $170. Morgan Stanley sits in the middle, with an Equal-weight and a $233 target.

IBM’s story is solid, but it’s also slow-moving. Quantum won’t drive earnings tomorrow, and the stock’s recent rise may have priced in more excitement than execution.

What’s driving this AI stock rally, and is it sustainable?

Zooming out, the Palantir-IBM surge fits neatly into a bigger 2025 trend: AI euphoria. Investors are throwing serious capital at anything remotely AI-adjacent, especially if it smells like infrastructure.

But there’s a growing sense that we may be nearing the top of this particular leg of the rally. Macro headwinds, political instability, and a possible Fed pivot could change the mood quickly. Add in the unpredictable nature of AI regulation and quantum timelines, and you’ve got a recipe for volatility.

Still, it’s worth noting that both Palantir and IBM are not just riding the wave - they’re building the wave. PLTR’s edge in secure government data work and IBM’s enterprise AI and quantum roadmap are not fly-by-night fads. They’re long games, and investors may need the patience to match.

AI stock outlook: Ceiling or launchpad?

So, have they peaked?

Maybe - at least for now. These rallies are impressive, but they’ve also raised a lot of expectations. If you’re buying at these levels, you’re betting on execution, delivery, and vision playing out just right.

Then again, if AI really is the next industrial revolution, Palantir and IBM may just be getting started.

At the time of writing, PLTR is seeing some retracement after a significant move within a buy zone, hinting at further movement north. However, volume bars show an even tug-of-war between bulls and bears, hinting that we could see a consolidation in the immediate term before a decisive move in either direction.

Should bulls win the tug-of-war, prices could be held at around $145.00. Conversely, if sellers prevail, prices could find support at the $120.00 and $89.00 (in case of a major collapse). 

IBM is still showing bullish candles at the time of writing as prices hover around the all-time high. The bullish narrative is supported by the volume bars showing a clear upward bias. Should prices inch up, they could be held at the $284.50 all-time high. Conversely, should we see a crash, prices could find support at the $256.00 and $243.00 support levels.

Have Palantir and IBM stocks hit their ceiling for 2025?  You can speculate on the price trajectory of these two stocks with a Deriv MT5 account.

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After a choppy few months of fear, volatility, and geopolitical drama, crypto is starting to show signs of life - and not just the usual dead-cat bounce. Bitcoin is flexing again, climbing above $107K with a surge in trading volume and open interest that screams “risk-on.” Ethereum, while lagging in price, is quietly building its case with serious institutional momentum through regulated staking solutions like stETH. And then there’s XRP, legally unchained and now forming a technical setup that has analysts eyeing a major breakout.

Each of these heavyweights is taking a different route, but together they’re fuelling what could be the market’s next big leg up.

Bitcoin trading volume: Is it roaring back?

Let’s start with the original crypto heavyweight. Bitcoin (BTC) has bounced back from its recent lows, climbing above $107,000 after dipping near $102K during the latest wave of geopolitical tension between Israel and Iran. Despite the chaos, Bitcoin didn’t just hold its ground - it rallied.

And it’s not just price. Derivatives data shows open interest surging to $72 billion, with trading volume hitting nearly $60 billion in just 24 hours. 

That’s not small fry. It’s a sign that institutional and high-leverage traders are stepping back in - embracing risk, not running from it.

In short, Bitcoin’s proving (once again) that it’s still the market’s macro mood ring. When BTC moves like this, the rest of crypto tends to follow.

Ethereum staking: Institutional engine is quietly roaring

Now, Ethereum (ETH) hasn’t exactly been thrilling traders lately. It’s been range-bound, consolidating between key levels, and definitely underperforming BTC. But under the hood? It’s a very different story.

Institutional interest in Ethereum staking is gaining serious traction. Just recently, Komainu, a regulated digital asset custodian, began offering support for Lido Staked ETH (stETH), which now accounts for 27% of all staked Ether. That’s huge. Especially when you consider this is happening in compliant markets like Dubai and Jersey.

And why does this matter? Liquid staking tokens like stETH allow institutions to earn yield on ETH without locking up capital - they stay liquid, compliant, and confident. Add in Ethereum’s new modular smart contract framework (hello, Lido v3), and it’s clear ETH is laying the rails for long-term adoption. It may not be mooning today, but it’s building a solid case for the next phase of the bull run.

Token revving up post XRP lawsuit update

While Bitcoin rallies and Ethereum builds, XRP is preparing for what some analysts believe could be its biggest move yet. Despite XRP’s legal victory, when Judge Analisa Torres declared XRP is not a security, the market still doesn’t seem to have fully caught on.

Sure, XRP jumped after the ruling. But now it’s consolidating around $2, having pulled back from $3.40. Enter: analysts like Crypto Beast and EGRAG, who are pointing to a massive symmetrical triangle pattern on the weekly chart. In their view, XRP isn’t done - not by a long shot.

And here’s the kicker: while much of crypto still tiptoes around regulation, XRP has clarity. That makes it a rare asset in this space - one that institutional investors may soon find a lot more attractive, especially if price action starts catching up with the fundamentals.

Three signals powering the crypto cycle reboot

So, what’s different about this crypto recovery?

It’s not just retail hype or wild speculation. This time, it’s multi-dimensional:

• Bitcoin is leading in momentum and volume.
  
• Ethereum is bringing the institutions on board with regulated, liquid staking.
  
• XRP has regulatory clarity that most assets can only dream of, and its technicals hint at a big move ahead.
  

Whether this truly is the next leg up remains to be seen - but all signs point to a maturing market, where risk, infrastructure, and regulation are no longer in conflict. They’re working together.

And if that doesn’t scream “next cycle energy,” what does? 

At the time of writing, BTC is hovering around a buy zone after dipping from its all-time high - hinting at a potential recovery. The bullish narrative is supported by the volume bars showing a bullish bias with underwhelming push-back from sellers. Should the bulls prevail, we could see them encounter resistance at the $111,891 all-time high. If we see a slump, however, prices could be held at $105,400 and $102,200. 

ETH is also seeing some positive momentum around a buy-zone - hinting at a potential price uptick. The volume bars showing bullish bias support the bullish narrative. Should bulls prevail, we could see prices find resistance at the $2,800 price level. Conversely, should we see a drawdown, prices could find support at the $2,485 and $1,765 price levels,

XRP could also see a leg up with a similar setup forming within a buy zone, as volume bars indicate dominant buy pressure. Should we see a further upmove, prices could encounter resistance at the $2.343 and $2.660 price levels. Should we see a slump instead, prices could find support at the $2.077 price level.

Are BTC, ETH and XRP gearing up for a major upmove?  You can speculate on BTCUSD ETHUSD and XRPUSD with a Deriv MT5 account.

War drums in the Middle East. Whispers of a Fed rate cut. And gold gleaming just shy of $3,450 while silver flirts with $36. The world isn’t short of risks right now - but instead of hiding in the shadows, they’re flashing in plain view. So the question is no longer why gold and silver are rising - it’s how far this rally can go before something gives.

What’s behind the gold price surge?

Let’s start with the heavyweight. Gold has stormed to a two-month high, brushing against $3,450 in early Asian trade. That’s not just a technical milestone - it’s a statement. Investors are piling into the yellow metal not just for its shine, but for its status: a classic safe haven in a world that feels anything but safe.

A toxic mix of Middle East tensions, rate cut bets, and a touch of dollar weakness. Israeli airstrikes on Iran’s military sites have jolted the market awake, with Iran’s response suggesting this isn’t a one-off. Add in some worrying chatter from Russia and escalating U.S. troop repositioning, and you’ve got a geopolitical powder keg.

Rate cut impact on gold

Then there’s the Fed. Before last week, most traders expected a possible rate cut in December. Now? September looks almost certain, with a 70% chance priced in. 

The inflation print for May was softer than expected, and even a surprisingly strong consumer sentiment reading (up to 60.5 from 52.2) didn’t derail the dovish tilt.

Lower rates usually mean lower yields and a weaker dollar - a perfect cocktail for gold. After all, when bonds aren’t paying much, holding non-yielding assets like gold becomes far more appealing.

Why silver is going down

Now let’s talk silver. While gold grabs the headlines, silver’s been trailing slightly behind - slipping below $36.50 despite the same global backdrop. Why? Well, silver wears two hats: part safe haven, part industrial metal. And right now, its industrial side is facing headwinds from a stronger dollar and global growth jitters.

That said, silver hasn’t collapsed - far from it. It’s still holding ground around $36.20, buoyed by the same geopolitical concerns lifting gold. If the dollar softens further or economic conditions deteriorate, silver could play catch-up - and fast.

Political risk: Trump’s tariff talk

Just when markets thought they could breathe, former U.S. President Donald Trump dropped a trade grenade. His plans to slap unilateral tariffs - and alert global partners within two weeks - threw cold water on recent optimism from U.S.-China trade talks. Policy risk is back in the picture, and it’s giving precious metals another reason to shine.

Precious metals technical outlook: How high can they go?

Here’s where things get tricky. If the Middle East spirals further and the Fed follows through with a rate cut, gold could breach $3,500 without much resistance. Silver, if it breaks free from the dollar’s grip, could aim for $37 to $38 in short order.

But, and it’s a big but, this rally isn’t bulletproof. If tensions cool or the Fed turns cautious again, some of that froth could vanish just as quickly. Gold and silver may be thriving with risks in plain sight, but they’re still vulnerable to sudden turns in sentiment.

Gold and silver aren’t just commodities - they’re compasses pointing to what’s really moving the world.

Gold price outlook

At the time of writing, Gold is seeing a slight retreat after a significant weekend uptick. The volume bars showing dominant buy pressure over the past few days - buttresses the bullish narrative. Should we see an uptick, prices could be held at the $3,500 resistance level. Should the current price retracement dip down further, prices could be held at the $3,300 and $3,185 support levels.

Silver price outlook

Silver is also seeing a significant price retracement within a buy zone, hinting that prices could bounce back north. This bullish narrative is supported by volume bars indicating dominant buy pressure over the past few days. Should the bounce materialise, prices could encounter a resistance wall at the $36.87 resistance level. On the other hand, should we see a further dip, prices could be supported at the $36.00 and $32.00 support levels. 

Risks are flaring all over the global markets? You can speculate on the price trajectory of gold  and silver with a Deriv MT5 account.

Is Bitcoin’s latest surge the start of a bull run or just another hype cycle?

With Bitcoin prices crossing $110,000 last week, the crypto market is surging. But so are global risks. 

From the US credit downgrade and gold’s rally to Japan’s bond crisis and oil price pressures, markets are moving on multiple fronts.

In this video, we examine:

• Whether Bitcoin’s gains are sustainable amid institutional buying
• Gold’s resurgence and what it signals about safe-haven demand
• OPEC+ policy shifts and their impact on energy markets
• Japan’s bond market volatility and global spillover risks

Join us for a timely look at the market forces shaping both opportunity and risk, and what it could mean for traders worldwide.

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Market sentiment has shifted following new signals from the US-China trade front.

As geopolitical tensions ease, investors are grappling with a different set of pressures: inflation vs unemployment, currency weakness, and renewed volatility across asset classes.

In our latest analysis, we unpack:

• The latest in US-China trade dynamics and their market impact
• What the yield curve is signalling about economic outlook
• How dollar weakness is shaping global asset performance
• Key trends in crypto and digital assets
• The S&P 500 rally and what it reveals about investor sentiment 

This is your guide to understanding the cross-currents shaping today’s financial markets and how traders are responding.

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Just when markets were getting comfortable, the Middle East lit the fuse. One surprise Israeli strike on Iranian targets sent oil prices surging, stocks wobbling, and traders scrambling for safe havens. Brent shot past $77, WTI followed closely, and now everyone’s asking the same question: could oil break $80? Or, if J.P. Morgan’s warning plays out, are we heading straight for $120 and a fresh inflation shock?

Geopolitical impact on oil prices: $80 within reach

$80 isn’t a stretch. With WTI already hovering around $72 and Brent nearing $73, the next leg higher could come from as little as a headline or two. 

Military tensions haven’t cooled, traders are on edge, and energy markets love a good panic. What’s fuelling this move? A perfect cocktail: tighter US inventories, rising summer demand, and Middle East uncertainty that just won't quit. Add in a hint of optimism around US-China trade talks, and you’ve got a price rally with legs.

Crude oil price trends: Enter JPMorgan’s $120 warning

Here’s where it gets spicier. According to J.P. Morgan, an attack on Iran could spike oil to $120 a barrel. That’s not just bad news for your fuel bill - it could blow US inflation back up to 5%, at a time when the Fed was starting to breathe a little easier.

“Oil at $120 would put rate hikes back on the table,” the bank cautions.

Suddenly, central banks might find themselves in a bind: either fight inflation again or risk choking off a shaky recovery. And let’s not forget President Trump, who’s made cheaper energy a cornerstone of his inflation-fighting playbook. A spike like this could pull the rug from under that narrative.

Middle-east Oil tensions keep traders on edge

Stock markets didn’t take kindly to the missile news. US futures dropped over 1%, gold and the Swiss franc surged, and investors rotated into defensive plays like energy, utilities, and weapons manufacturers. Classic risk-off behaviour.

Meanwhile, oil traders are hedging for the weekend. With tensions escalating and Iran promising a response, few want to be caught flat-footed come Monday. The balance between supply concerns and demand uncertainty has tilted firmly in favour of the bulls - at least for now.

Could this be the start of an Oil supercycle?

Beneath the short-term noise, a bigger narrative is simmering. Is this the start of a new oil supercycle, powered not by booming demand, but by geopolitical instability? The market has been dismissing such ideas for months. But now, with crude climbing and conflict heating up, that conversation is back on the table.

Oil market technical insight: Will $80 be a pit stop on the way to $120?

The answer depends on two fronts: diplomacy and retaliation. If things escalate further, $80 could be just the beginning. But if the weekend brings a pause in hostilities, traders might take some heat off the market - for now.

Still, with inflation high, central banks twitchy, and oil at the mercy of missiles and politics, the price action is anything but stable.

Are you watching the oil surge? You can speculate on the price trajectory of Tesla and Alphabet with a Deriv MT5 account.