Geopolitical Shocks That Could Reshape Financial Markets in 2025 
Oil Prices Dip Slightly Amid Focus on Russian Sanctions and U.S. Inflation Data 
Gold Prices Slide as Rate Cut Prospects Diminish; Copper Gains on China Stimulus Hopes 
US Gas Market Poised for Supercycle: Bernstein Analysts 
Wall Street Analysts Weigh in on Latest NFP Data 
US Futures Rise as Investors Eye Earnings, Inflation Data, and Wildfire Impacts 
Fed May Resume Rate Hikes: BofA Analysts Outline Key Scenarios 
Trump’s "Shock and Awe" Agenda: Executive Orders from Day One 
Gold Prices Fall Amid Rate Jitters; Copper Steady as China Stimulus Eyed 
Mexico's Undervalued Equity Market Offers Long-Term Investment Potential 
Indonesia Surprises Markets with Interest Rate Cut Amid Currency Pressure 
China's Refining Industry Faces Major Shakeup Amid Challenges 
Goldman Predicts 50% Odds of 10% U.S. Tariff on Copper by Q1 Close 
Urban studies: Doing research when every city is different 
China’s Growth Faces Structural Challenges Amid Doubts Over Data 
U.S. Treasury Yields Expected to Decline Amid Cooling Economic Pressures 
Moody's Upgrades Argentina's Credit Rating Amid Economic Reforms 
The yen gained sharply against the US dollar after the BOJ monetary policy. The Bank of Japan hiked rates by 15 bpbs unexpectedly from 0%-0.10% to 0.15%-0.25%. The central bank has reduced its bond-buying program to ¥3 trillion monthly as of Q1 of 2026.
Yen Carry trade-
Most of traders borrow yen at low interest rates and invest in other countries' assets, especially the US stock market.
JPY strengthened strongly after the BOJ rate hike. The trader started to unwind their position in the US stock market as they paid higher interest rates due to rate hikes and huge forex loss (USDJPY depreciated from 155.21 to 141.68 in the past four days.
This will increase the selling pressure on US stocks in the short term. Market eyes Middle East tension escalation, recession fears, and US political uncertainty.
