After months of easing, the Governing Council decided that 2.00% is the magic number—the "neutral" rate where they can sit back and let the economy hum. But if you listened to Philip Lane today, the humming sounds more like a sputter.Lane’s presentation at the CBI workshop was a masterclass in saying "we are done cutting" while simultaneously showing us a dozen charts explaining why the economy is barely keeping its head above water.Lane is pinning the hold on sticky domestic costs. The data shows services inflation is proving to be a problem, refusing to break below 3% in the near term. With compensation per employee projected to jump 4.5% in 2025, Lane is signaling that they can't cut further right now without risking a wage-price spiral. He sees the "last mile" of disinflation as a long, slow grind.While Lane defends the hold with inflation charts, his growth slides are flashing red. The staff projections have 2025 GDP growth at a dismal 1.4% and 1.2% next year and 1.4% in 2027. That is stagnation with a bow on it.Looking further out, this chart caught my attention as it shows worsening consumption despite a decline in the savings rate. Lane devoted entire slides to the "volatile global trade environment" and the decoupling of US and Euro area export volumes. He is effectively telling us that the external engine of the European economy is broken while at the same time forecasting impressive increases in exports in 2027 and 2028.Lane is trying to sell a "soft landing" narrative where 2% rates are perfect. But looking at his own charts—weak investment , fragmented trade, and flatlining growth—2% doesn't feel neutral. It feels tight. The ECB might be done for now, but if that growth forecast slips even a fraction, "neutral" could be a problem.The thing is, it might only be half the problem as the two slides look overly optimistic on inflation. First off, he straight-lines a decline in services inflation but also assumes energy disinflation next year and minimal inflation out to 2028. I find that hard to believe given AI power spending and brent at $60. That's an unsustainably low level.Overall, the euro had a good year and European stock markets were particularly strong but the problems in the eurozone economy under the surface are worsening, not getting better.For now there isn't really a trade here but the picture for the eurozone in 2026 is fragile. I would expect a short-term peace dividend if there is a ceasefire in Ukraine but that won't last long. This article was written by Adam Button at investinglive.com.

Prior was 4.10mHome sales change +0.5% vs +1.2% priorShares of home builders have been beaten up this week on poor earnings and even-weaker forecasts for the months ahead. This article was written by Adam Button at investinglive.com.

Prelim was 53.3Prior was 51.0Conditions 50.4 vs 50.7 prelimExpectations 54.6 vs 55.0 prelim10year inflation 4.2% vs 4.1% prelim (prior was 4.5%)5-year inflation 3.2% vs 3.2% prelim (prior was 3.4%)In the preliminary report, the big surprise was the drop in inflation expectations. Now that tends to correlate with gasoline prices so I'd take it with a grain of salt but the Fed will see it as validation for cutting rates, particularly when combined with the softer CPI report this week. All that said, the market is seeing just a 20% chance of a January rate cut and just over 50% for March. This article was written by Adam Button at investinglive.com.

It is Quadruple Witching Friday—that rare quarterly alignment where contracts on four different types of securities expire simultaneously:Index optionsSingle stock optionsIndex futuresIndex futures optionsAccording to data from Goldman Sachs, a staggering $7.1 trillion in notional options exposure is set to expire today. To give you an idea of the sheer scale here, that represents notional exposure equal to roughly 10.2% of the total market capitalization of the Russell 3000.Broken down, that includes about $5 trillion tied to the S&P 500 and another $880 billion linked to single stocks.So, why is today so heavy? December expirations are typically the biggest of the year anyway, as funds and retail traders alike look to close out positions and finalize P&L before the books shut. December options also attract the big annual hedges but even by December standards, this one eclipses all prior records.In terms of price action, huge options expirations tend to get headlines as if they will stoke volatility but because of delta-hedging, they end up restraining volatility. S&P 500 futures were last up 6 points, or 0.1%.Options tend to cluster around big round numbers and with S&P 500 futures at 6785, that will make 6800 as the main battleground. If we get there, we could see the market pinned there. At the same time, I will be watching price action in individual Mag7 names if we get stuck there as funds could be using the liquidity to make exits.There is a popular line of thinking that the megacap names are due for some selling next year as the AI narrative is challenged and profitability re-prioritized. So if we see some heavy dumping of Nvidia as the rest of the market holds up, that could be a tell. This article was written by Adam Button at investinglive.com.

Sector OverviewThe US stock market today is witnessing notable trends in the technology and semiconductor sectors. Based on today's heatmap, tech giants are on the rise, with Oracle (ORCL) leading the charge with a stunning increase of 5.47%. Meanwhile, the semiconductor industry is experiencing a substantial uptrend, prominently driven by Nvidia (NVDA) rising 1.73% and AMD climbing 2.29%.Conversely, the consumer cyclicals show a mixed scenario; while Tesla (TSLA) is up 0.89%, other key players like Amazon (AMZN) have dipped slightly by 0.25%. Additionally, consumer electronics giant Apple (AAPL) is down by 0.15%, suggesting mild investor caution or profit-taking in this zone.Market Mood and TrendsToday's market sentiment is governed by optimism in tech and semiconductors, countered by a cautious outlook in consumer-centric sectors. This mixed signal is indicative of an investor pool that remains watchful amid industry-specific developments and economic indicators. The upward trajectory in tech and semiconductors might reflect industry resilience or upcoming positive announcements. Meanwhile, stability in sectors like healthcare, with Eli Lilly (LLY) up 0.96%, adds a layer of defensive strategy traction in investor portfolios.Strategic RecommendationsGiven today's insights, investors might consider bolstering their positions in leading tech and semiconductor stocks like Oracle and Nvidia to leverage current growth momentum. Meanwhile, continued monitoring of consumer cyclicals is advised to navigate potential volatility.For a balanced portfolio, diversifying into stable sectors such as healthcare could buffer against downturns in more volatile sectors. Healthcare's steady showing, with a focus on drug manufacturers like LLY, which posted a gain today, offers a reliable anchor.In conclusion, while tech appears bullish, the sector's intrinsic volatility warrants a calculated approach. Stay vigilant and adjust strategies in line with real-time data and market forecasts. For further insights and updates, visit InvestingLive.com to stay informed of the latest market developments and expert analyses. This article was written by Itai Levitan at investinglive.com.

USD/JPY is quickly lower on this.Desirable for FX to move in stable manner reflecting fundamentalsWill take appropriate actionClearly seeing one-sided, rapid movesThis is the strongest language yet and it comes after the yen sold off hard despite today's Bank of Japan rate hike. The BOJ hiked short-term rates today to 0.75%, which is (amazingly) the highest in three decades.The move was not a surprise to markets and it initially strengthened but it appears as though sellers were waiting in the weeds and have been dumping since, boosting USD/JPY by more than 150 pips.Zooming out, USD/JPY is challenging the November highs and that would pit it within striking distance of the January high.While this chart doesn't look that alarming, note that EUR/JPY is at a record high 184.35 and GBP/JPY is at the highest since 2008.Moreover, the finance minister should be most-concerned with finance and the market isn't liking what's happening in Japanese bonds. Thirty-year borrowing rates for the Japanese government are up to 3.42%, which is the highest since at least 2000 and the trajectory is extremely worrisome for the most-indebted major economy. This article was written by Adam Button at investinglive.com.

CNBC was earlier out with a report saying that the Fed's Waller had a 'strong interview' for Fed chair.That begs the question: What does a strong interview with Trump look like? A pledge to lower rates? A pledge to take orders?I take this as CNBC trying to save us from one of the Kevins. I don't put any stock in PredictIt but it has Waller at 14-cents, up from 8-cents yesterday so he's still a longshot. The numbers seem to move with the newsflow but despite Waller ticking up, Hassett held at 52-cents and all the movement was in Warsh dipping to 23-cents.For me, I think Warsh is more likely than priced. Trump repeatedly said he regretted not picking him the last time around and Warsh has been relentlessly sucking up lobbying for the job.Other notable notes from the report:Bowman is no longer a candidateRick Reider will be interviewed in the last week of the yearThat last detail gives us a better timeline of when the decision will come. Trump had floated making it 'in the next couple weeks' but it looks like it will be close to the end of that window.In his speech Wednesday, Trump said, “I will soon announce our next chairman of the Federal Reserve, someone who believes in lower interest rates by a lot, and mortgage payments will be coming down even further.”Despite three doves being the front-runners for the Fed job, the market is only pricing 60 bps in easing in the coming year because of persistent inflation and runaway US spending that's keeping growth on track. More recently, the fall in oil prices to five-year lows could help to make a stronger case for rate cuts. This week's CPI report was also low but it was almost-certainly due to statistical noise because of the government shutdown and the inability to collect data.If Waller were to get the Fed job, it would be comforting for the bond market, pushing down longer-dated yields and creating confidence that the US won't rekindle runaway inflation with too-low rates.On the flipside, there could be some disappointment in equity markets that an overly-dovish chair like Kevin Warsh or Kevin Hassett didn't get the job. This article was written by Adam Button at investinglive.com.

Williams did a fairly big 180 in supporting a December rate cut and these are his first comments since the decision.Looking ahead, his comments are generally neutral and wait-and-see tone regarding the path forward for rates. He downplays the rise in unemployment as "distortions" but also suggests the soft CPI data had "distortions" as well.The 'sense of urgency' line is notable but it certainly doesn't rule out January, which is priced at about 25%.Feels pretty good about economy next year2025 GDP likely around 1-1.5%2026 GDP seen at around 2.25%Policy mildly restrictive, has some room to get back to neutralWith inflation above target mildly restrictive monetary policy is helpfulFed policy is 'mildly restrictive,' has some room to get back to neutralKey goal of monetary policy is about helping job marketDoesn't have a 'sense of urgency' on changing monetary policyMonetary policy is well positioned to gather more informationThe data is broadly consistent with recent trends and recent Fed cutJobs data does not show sharp deterioration in hiring marketUnemployemnt rate may have been pushed up by distortions, but not a surprising readNew jobs data shows steady private sector job gainsCPI data may have been pushed down a bitCPI data had some distortions, will need more data to get good read on inflationSome of the new data has been encouraging and shows more disinflationWilliams is a permanent voter. This article was written by Adam Button at investinglive.com.

Prior was -0.7% (revised to -0.9%)Ex-autos -0.6% vs +0.2% expectedPrior ex-autos -0.2% (revised to -0.1%)Core sales -0.5%Advance November reading +1.2%Autos sales +0.6% vs -2.9% priorThe surprise story of post-Liberation Day Canada has been just how strong retail sales have been. Unemployment has been creeping up and housing is in a terrible slump in much of the country but consumer keep on spending.This report is a softer but the advance November reading is very strong.The notes on October show the largest decrease to core retail sales came from food and beverage retailers, with beer, wine and liquor retailers down 10.6% though it may have been affected by a strike in British Columbia. Sales were also down at clothing, clothing accessories, shoes, jewelry, luggage and leather goods retailers (-0.7%) and health and personal care retailers (-0.3%) in OctoberThe headline chart doesn't look great but the underlying numbers have been good.RBC also publishes a report based on its credit card data and it has core sales up 1.1% on a three-month rolling average."Early signs for Q4 remain positive with spending momentum holding up despite elevated borrowing costs, and still cautious consumer sentiment," RBC said.My sense is that retirees are those near retirement are driving much of the spending. Despite home prices losing value since 2022, they've still generated incredible returns over the past decade and that's keeping that cohort spending. For younger generations, unemployment has risen but there are still enough jobs to keep the consumer buoyant.Looking to 2026, I expect consumers to This article was written by Adam Button at investinglive.com.

An interview with Simon Massey, CEO & Co-Founder, Funded Trading PlusAs 2026 approaches, traders and trading firms are operating in a market environment defined less by certainty and more by competing narratives. Artificial intelligence, geopolitical risk, shifting monetary policy, and growing concerns around market concentration have created conditions where volatility feels permanently “on standby”.To explore what this could mean for retail traders - and how to think about risk in a fast-moving landscape - we sat down with Simon Massey, CEO and Co-Founder of Funded Trading Plus. Simon began trading in 2010 and has spent the past decade-plus around active trading communities and trader education. In recent years, he has also been outspoken about the importance of transparency and fair dealing in the funded trading space, where trust can matter as much as the strategy itself.“The biggest mistake traders make is anchoring themselves to a single narrative,” Massey says. “In an environment like this, preparation matters far more than prediction.”The AI Boom: Bubble or Structural Shift?One of the most persistent questions heading into 2026 is whether the widely discussed AI boom represents a genuine technological transformation - or a fragile bubble driven by concentration risk.A significant portion of recent US market performance has been carried by a small cluster of large technology firms. These companies are heavily intertwined through capital flows, partnerships, and shared exposure to AI infrastructure. If valuations are being supported more by momentum than by underlying fundamentals, the potential for sharp dislocations increases.Markets, however, have a long history of remaining irrational longer than participants expect. Even if a bubble exists, timing its unwinding is notoriously difficult.“The smarter approach isn’t trying to call the top,” Massey explains. “It’s understanding that if sentiment shifts, volatility will arrive quickly and aggressively.”He also points to how different “risk-off” narratives behaved toward the end of 2025. Crypto, for example, traded largely sideways in that period, challenging the assumption that digital assets consistently act as a safe haven during uncertainty. In contrast, gold and other precious metals continued to push toward all-time highs, reinforcing their role as traditional volatility hedges.The implication for traders isn’t to pick the “correct” narrative - it’s to plan for multiple regimes, including sharp reversals, liquidity gaps, and periods where correlations snap into place.Manual Decision-Making Still Matters in a Machine-Driven MarketAlgorithmic trading already accounts for a substantial share of global market volume, particularly at the institutional level. The race for execution speed - through proximity hosting, fibre-optic optimisation, and infrastructure investment - has been under way for years.At the retail and funded trader level, however, the reality is more nuanced.While expert advisors and partially automated systems remain popular, many of the most consistently profitable traders continue to execute manually. The reason is straightforward: retail algorithms cannot realistically compete with institutional infrastructure on ultra-short timeframes.Instead, successful traders often operate on slightly longer horizons, focusing on market structure, risk management, and patience rather than microsecond execution. As a result, algorithmic trading is unlikely to “replace” discretionary trading in this segment. Through 2026, the balance between the two is likely to remain broadly similar - with the edge increasingly found in process, discipline, and risk controls rather than pure speed.Overconcentration Is Emerging as a Hidden RiskGold has become a dominant instrument in many trading environments, accounting for an outsized share of volume for a wide range of traders. While that reflects genuine opportunity, it also introduces a meaningful behavioural risk.“When traders focus too heavily on a single market, they start forcing trades that aren’t really there,” says Massey. “Overconcentration breaks discipline long before it breaks performance.”Looking ahead, Simon expects foreign exchange markets may present renewed opportunity. FX volatility has been relatively muted at points, but underlying tensions - particularly around US dollar policy - suggest this may not persist indefinitely. Political pressure for a weaker dollar can exist at the same time as structural forces pushing in the opposite direction, creating conditions for sharp, directional moves.“Equity indices remain equally sensitive to macro shocks. We’ve already seen how quickly daily ranges can expand when geopolitical tensions rise or policy expectations shift. If AI-related volatility or broader economic shocks re-emerge, indices may once again offer significant trading opportunity - but also sharper drawdowns for traders who are over-leveraged or under-prepared.”The key takeaway for 2026 is diversification - not indiscriminate trading, but maintaining a small basket of well-understood markets rather than relying entirely on a single asset.Flexibility Will Matter More Than ForecastsGlobal economic conditions will continue to shape market behaviour. A synchronised global slowdown tends to generate significantly more volatility than isolated regional issues, particularly as correlations between asset classes increase under stress.There are also wildcard developments that can shift expectations quickly. A potential resolution to major geopolitical conflicts, for example, could remove a persistent drag on parts of the global economy - changing the outlook for risk assets and regional currencies in a way that few traders price in ahead of time.“The danger for traders is becoming emotionally attached to a view,” Massey notes. “Markets rarely behave according to what ‘should’ happen.”In practice, that means the most durable edge often looks unglamorous: position sizing that survives surprises, risk limits that are actually respected, and the humility to step aside when market conditions no longer match your playbook.Trust Will Define the Next Phase of Funded TradingBeyond the markets themselves, Massey believes trust remains one of the most critical issues facing the funded trading industry.Despite its rapid growth, the sector still varies widely in standards, transparency, and operational maturity. For traders, that creates a practical question: how do you evaluate whether a firm is likely to behave consistently - especially when conditions get difficult?Massey points to a few basics that still matter:Clear ownership and accountability (who runs the firm, and are they visible?)A published business address and clear support channelsTransparent terms and conditions that are easy to find and understandA track record of communication with the trading communityConsistent proof of payouts over time, not just marketing claimsReview platforms and trader communities can provide useful signals too - particularly when recurring themes emerge over a long period, rather than in sudden bursts.Traders should also be cautious of offers that appear unsustainably generous. Artificially cheap programmes and unrealistic promises can be a red flag for business models that may not be built to last.“Trust is earned when the rules stay stable and the communication stays clear - especially when the market isn’t,” Massey says.Consistency Over HypeIn recent years, hundreds of funded trading firms have launched - and many have disappeared just as quickly. Competitive pressure has been intense, and the temptation to win attention through price wars or headline-grabbing claims is strong.But Massey argues that longevity tends to come from the opposite approach: consistency.“Stability is underrated,” he says. “If you want traders to take you seriously, the rules can’t feel like they change with the wind. At Funded Trading Plus we’ve had certain trading challenges running since 2021, it’s the simple rules that keeps people coming back”.For traders, the parallel lesson is familiar: systems that work tend to be repeatable, boring, and resilient. Hype is loud, but process is what compounds.A Message to Traders for 2026There will be opportunities in 2026 - almost certainly more than enough. But opportunity alone does not guarantee success.Traders should avoid over-fixation on any single market, remain adaptable to changing conditions, and resist the urge to force trades when valid setups are absent. Above all, maintaining discipline, realism, and trust - both in one’s strategy and in chosen trading partners - will matter far more than predicting the next headline-driven move.If you’re tightening your fundamentals for the year ahead, Funded Trading Plus has created a free Forex 101 guide focused on the core skills that matter most in changing market conditions - risk management, discipline, market structure, and avoiding common behavioural traps. The guide is designed to help traders build a process that adapts to volatility rather than chasing predictions. You can access the Forex 101 guide here: https://www.fundedtradingplus.com/propiq-forex-101-download-your-free-traders-guide/Disclaimer: This article was submitted by an advertiser. The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Finance Magnates. This article was written by IL Contributors at investinglive.com.

OneRoyal has announced Dominic Poynter as its new Chief Commercial Officer. Mr. Poynter was internally promoted after a very successful stint as the broker’s Chief Marketing Officer. During his tenure as CMO, he helped secure an extremely valuable brand ambassador in Diego Forlán. Leveraging his 25 years of experience, Dominic spearheaded the company’s marketing efforts across multiple verticals. A Unified StrategyAccording to the industry veteran, during his time at the helm of OneRoyal’s marketing department, he implemented a unified marketing strategy that aligned multiple business and commercial operations to successfully serve different global regions. This was achieved by bringing together the global marketing and sales teams, while effectively utilising and securing valuable partnerships. These efforts paid dividends, increasing OneRoyal’s brand visibility and global reputation as a market-leading broker. It bolstered the premier broker’s already illustrious multi-decade standing. Over Two Decades of ExperienceDominic brought over twenty years of experience to OneRoyal, having previously held C-level positions at numerous high-profile companies. Fulfilling roles across multiple departments, Dominic contributed valuable, in-depth knowledge of the industry and the latest market trends. His career advancement was meteoric, a testament to his work ethic. After serving as Director of Marketing Operations at easyMarkets, Dominic moved to ATFX as Head of Marketing, then to HYCM as the company’s Chief Marketing Officer, before finally landing at OneRoyal as Head of Marketing. Moving forward, Dominic will be leveraging his wealth of knowledge and experience in his new position as Chief Commercial Officer. Award-winning LeadershipWhile heading up OneRoyal’s Marketing Department, Dominic helped the company gain recognition for its outstanding service by promoting its long list of industry awards. Its most recent win was at this year’s Smart Vision Summit Egypt, where the company was named Best Forex Broker 2025. OneRoyal also received the Finance Magnates award for the MENA region’s Most Innovative Broker for 2025. The company’s drive to innovate, enabling it to offer its clients the most advanced tools for analysis and trading, helps propel the industry forward. About OneRoyalOneRoyal has been serving both retail and professional traders since 2006. Founded on the mission to grow alongside its traders, OneRoyal has spent decades developing and expanding its products and services to help clients pursue their financial goals. To find out more about OneRoyal and what it offers, visit their website. This article was written by IL Contributors at investinglive.com.

KEY POINTS:UK data supports more rate cutsThe BoE cut the Bank Rate to 3.75% as expectedBoE Governor Bailey sounded more upbeat on disinflation with scope for more easingFTSE 100 gained on expectations of more policy easing, better growthFUNDAMENTAL OVERVIEWThe BoE cut the Bank Rate to 3.75% as expected yesterday and sounded more upbeat on disinflation. This keeps the room for more easing intact, supporting the stock market into new highs.The risk sentiment was also supported by a soft US CPI report. The hawkish risks are now behind us and the next key risk events will be in January, starting with the US NFP on January 9. FTSE 100 TECHNICAL ANALYSIS - DAILY TIMEFRAMEOn the daily chart, we can see that FTSE 100 (CFD contract) bounced from a major trendline on November 21 when Fed’s Williams lift the global risk sentiment by endorsing a rate cut in December. We had some rangebound price action since the first week of December, but following the soft UK CPI, the market broke out to the upside. The natural target for the buyers should be of course a new all-time high. The sellers, on the other hand, will wait for the price to reach the all-time high to position for a drop back into the trendline.FTSE 100 TECHNICAL ANALYSIS – 4 HOUR TIMEFRAMEOn the 4 hour chart, we can see that after the strong rally triggered by the soft UK CPI report, the market pulled back to retest the broken resistance-turned-support around the 9760 level. The buyers stepped in there with a defined risk below the support to position for a rally into a new all-time high. The price is now testing the recent highs around the 9874 level. This is where we can expect the sellers to step in with a defined risk above the highs to position for a move back into the support. The buyers, on the other hand, will look for a break higher to increase the bullish bets into new all-time highs.FTSE 100 TECHNICAL ANALYSIS – 1 HOUR TIMEFRAMEOn the 1 hour chart, we can see that we have a minor support zone around the 9820 level. If we get a pullback into that level, we can expect the buyers to step in with a defined risk below the minor support to target a break above the 9874 level. The sellers, on the other hand, will look for a break lower to increase the bearish bets into the 9760 support next. This article was written by Giuseppe Dellamotta at investinglive.com.

Headlines:USD/JPY set to post biggest daily gain in a month, eyes on December highsBOJ governor Ueda says the possibility of further rate hikes will be data-dependentBOJ governor Ueda says rate hikes will continue if economy develops as per projectionsS&P 500 Technical Analysis: Is Santa Claus coming to town?Interest rate expectations for the Fed remain the most dovish among major central banksECB policymaker Rehn tries to keep the door open for rate cutsUK retail sales disappoint on expectations with another slump in NovemberMarkets:USD leads, JPY lags on the dayEuropean equities little changed; S&P 500 futures up 0.8%US 10-year yields up 2.7 bps to 4.151%Gold down 0.2% to $4,325.23WTI crude oil up 0.4% to $56.09Bitcoin up 3.0% to $88,019There wasn't too much in European morning trade today, with the day being the supposed last "real" trading day for the year. Come next week, the Christmas and New Year break will overshadow everything else and that should lead to thinner liquidity conditions until we wrap up the year.But for today, there was some decent action - particularly with the Japanese yen as the currency tumbled after the BOJ policy decision. The central bank raised its short-term policy rate by 25 bps to 0.75%, marking the highest in 30 years. However, the yen fell across the board in what is a sell the fact move.USD/JPY already climbed up to 156.00 after the decision but extended gains as BOJ governor Ueda did not offer too much certainty of when the next rate hike will be. He did drop hints that it could be in March but as we all know, the threshold to trigger such conditions is very much higher than the one needed for today.As such, USD/JPY also jumped up to break the early December highs in a push above 157.00 with the pair now up over 1% to 157.30 levels - its highest in nearly a month.Besides that, the dollar held steadier in the major currencies space with the euro and pound keeping lightly changed against the greenback. The same as well for the loonie and aussie, with the FX looking rather dull outside of the yen today. That despite UK retail sales disappointing on economic woes, not being enough to do much to change the sterling outlook for now.In other markets, European indices were relatively muted in closing out the week while US futures are pointing to a solid jump in tech shares once more. S&P 500 futures are up 0.8% with Nasdaq futures up 1.4% as investors continue the relief rally after the US CPI report yesterday.In the commodities space, gold is not showing much interest alongside silver as precious metals continue to hang near the highs for the year. A consolidation of gains ahead of the holiday period perhaps? Meanwhile, Bitcoin is posting a decent bounce back to around $88,000 but the technical picture remains challenging with the cryptocurrency poised to end the year lower for the first time since 2022.To those taking off for the holidays, I wish you a pleasant break and an enjoyable one at that. Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year to everyone, in case we don't cross paths again on the server for the year. Have a good one! This article was written by Justin Low at investinglive.com.

For CFD brokers, the first 72 hours are decisive. Yet most of them witness the same pattern unfold: traders register, hesitate at KYC, explore briefly, and bounce off. By the time a follow-up email arrives, they've already started trading with a competitor. This is no longer a conversion issue, but rather an engagement matter. How do some brokers manage to keep traders engaged long-term?Amid rising lead acquisition costs for brokers and lower switching costs for traders, general emails and reactive call centre outreach no longer cut it. Traders want platforms that understand them, guide them, and adapt to their behaviour in real time. The brokers who will lead the way in 2026 will be those who create in-platform experiences that feel personal, supportive, and impossible to leave.Gamification, a mission-driven effort brokers are yet to unlockWhen gamification entered the realm of trading, it was often associated with badges, trading competitions, and leaderboards. Despite their novelty, these tactics proved their limitations. They failed to address the real challenge: re-engaging traders after they’ve experienced friction, doubt, and loss. The solution? Smarter gamification.What smart gamification looks likeIf gamification changed the game for brokers and traders alike, smart gamification opens the door to infinitely more possibilities. Creeping into the hearts and minds of FX marketers, smart gamification is making significant strides towards mainstream marketing. It builds adaptive, data-driven user journeys that respond to each trader's behaviour, skill level, and risk profile in real time. Most importantly, it blends behavioural personalisation, automation, and subtle UX design into a cohesive retention strategy that works invisibly in the background.Solitics has engineered a Smart Gamification module exactly within its customer engagement environment that deploys the full-blown mechanics. But how does it work? In practice, there are multiple functionalities at play, including: Widgets that engage traders through interactive gamified popups, such as quizzes, bonuses, trading competitions, or other popup ‘games’ triggered in real time based on trader behaviour.Missions that guide traders towards completing milestones (e.g., onboarding, KYC document uploading, depositing, and exploring the trading platform). These milestones progress dynamically, depending on each trader’s actions.Bonus Engine Integration that allows Missions and Widgets to attribute rewards, using the customer’s bonus configuration.Mission Boards that offer users a direct and comprehensive view of their active missions, progress, and rewards in a unified interface.Industry-Specific Mission Boards that provide trading-themed designs, offering a mission experience that looks and feels native to the trading environment.These components create a feedback loop where each interaction informs the next, and the platform continuously adapts.The power of hidden personalisationEach trader interacts with the platform differently. So gamification is also uniquely adapted to match their interests, expectations, and behaviours.Two traders might encounter the same Bonus promotion with identical design and branding. But behind the scenes, numbers, weighting, and outcomes are dynamically calibrated based on each user's history, behaviour, or risk level. A high-value trader sees larger rewards. A hesitant new user receives smaller, frequent wins to build confidence. A disengaged trader gets a perfectly timed reactivation offer. This is hidden personalisation at play, where traders see familiarity and brokers enjoy precision.The same principle applies to missions. A confident trader receives missions that encourage the use of advanced tools or portfolio diversification. A trader stalled at KYC sees a simplified verification mission with tangible rewards. The interface feels consistent, and the strategy behind it leaves nothing to chance.Solving drop-offs and improving retentionSmart gamification addresses critical moments: onboarding, KYC, first deposits, first losses, and platform exploration.Onboarding transforms from passive forms into interactive journeys where missions guide traders step by step, with rewards reinforcing progress. KYC becomes palatable through mission framing and context-aware pop-ups reminding traders of potential benefits awaiting verification. First deposits gain clarity through missions tied to funding milestones. First losses are softened when traders are encouraged through missions centred on education, demo practice, or structured trades with bonus buffers. Platform exploration deepens engagement through missions encouraging new asset classes, analytical tools, or community features.Whatever the situation, the result is proactive engagement. Brokers can guide traders before friction even arises. This is a decisive step forward and a trend likely to define customer engagement in 2026 and beyond.The shift defining 2026The brokerage industry is at a crossroads. As acquisition costs become unsustainable and regulatory scrutiny tightens, traders are more demanding than ever.The brokers who thrive in 2026 won't compete on spreads and asset coverage. They'll compete on in-platform experiences that feel personal and genuinely supportive. At the centre of this shift is gamification. Shaping into structured, behaviour-driven journeys, gamification blends engagement, education, and incentivisation. Against this backdrop, traders will expect platforms to adapt to their goals, experience level, and risk tolerance.Early adopters of smart gamification are already seeing results: higher completion rates, longer sessions, improved retention, and better lifetime value. The question isn't whether this works. It's whether brokers will adopt it before their competitors do.The infrastructure behind the shiftDelivering this personalisation at scale requires infrastructure. Platforms with real-time data activation and integrated smart gamification capabilities, such as Solitics, are helping brokers deliver these new experiences at scale, shaping the next generation of user engagement in the trading industry.The brokers who recognise this shift early will define the standard. Are you among those who will define the norm in 2026? Learn more about modern, personalised trader engagement atSolitics.com. This article was written by IL Contributors at investinglive.com.

KEY POINTS:US CPI came out much softer than expected, potentially giving the Fed a reason to cut earlier than expectedThe Fed's dovish reaction function remains a tailwind for the stock marketThe Santa Claus rally might be starting, but traders will look for technical breaks to have more convictionFUNDAMENTAL OVERVIEWThe US CPI yesterday surprised to the downside across the board, but as we’ve seen with the NFP report, the market took the data with a pinch of salt. The Nasdaq strengthened following the CPI release but eventually gave back some of the gains as the bullish momentum faded. It should also be noted that we got the US Jobless Claims yesterday and the data was strong. The Initial Claims remain around the same low levels we got used to for years, but Continuing Claims dropped to the lowest level since May. The main takeaway is that the recent data shows gradual cooling in the labour market, with inflation undershooting Fed’s forecasts. Fed Chair Powell made it pretty clear in his last press conference that they are more focused on the labour market weakness, and they can tolerate some higher inflation given the transitory expectations. This suggests that we could see another rate cut sooner than expected, especially if the recent data gets validated next month. The market should start to move into that direction with new all-time highs likely being in the cards. NASDAQ TECHNICAL ANALYSIS - DAILY TIMEFRAMEOn the daily chart, we can see that the Nasdaq couldn’t break above the 25,832 level and eventually pulled back into the 25,000 price area. We’ve been consolidating this week, but the soft US data might provide enough support for the buyers to push to the price back towards the 25,832 level. If we get there, we can expect the sellers to step in with a defined risk above the level to position for a drop into the October lows. The buyers, on the other hand, will look for a break higher to increase the bullish bets into the all-time highs.NASDAQ TECHNICAL ANALYSIS - 4 HOUR TIMEFRAMEOn the 4 hour chart, we can see that we have a downward trendline defining the recent pullback into the 25,000 price area. We got a rejection yesterday, but the price is now breaking above the trendline. The buyers will likely pile in here with a defined risk below the trendline to target the 25,832 level. The sellers, on the other hand, will want to see the price falling back below the trendline to pile back in and target new lows.NASDAQ TECHNICAL ANALYSIS - 1 HOUR TIMEFRAMEOn the 1 hour chart, we can see that the price is rejecting the broken trendline and the minor upward trendline. This is where the buyers are stepping in to target the 25,508 level where a break will open the door for a move into the 25,832 level next. The sellers, on the other hand, will look for a move back below the trendline to pile in for a drop into the recent low around the 25,200 level to then target new lows on a further break. The red lines define the average daily range for today. This article was written by Giuseppe Dellamotta at investinglive.com.

KEY POINTS:US CPI surprises to the downside, potentially opening the door for an earlier than expected rate cutUS Jobless Claims disagree with NFP report. We'll get a clearer picture next month.Key technical levels are limiting the upside. Traders are waiting for breakouts.FUNDAMENTAL OVERVIEWThe US CPI yesterday surprised to the downside across the board, but as we’ve seen with the NFP report, the market took the data with a pinch of salt. The S&P 500 strengthened following the CPI release but eventually gave back some of the gains as the bullish momentum faded. It should also be noted that we got the US Jobless Claims yesterday and the data was strong. The Initial Claims remain around the same low levels we got used to for years, but Continuing Claims dropped to the lowest level since May. The main takeaway is that the recent data shows gradual cooling in the labour market, with inflation undershooting Fed’s forecasts. Fed Chair Powell made it pretty clear in his last press conference that they are more focused on the labour market weakness, and they can tolerate some higher inflation given the transitory expectations. This suggests that we could see another rate cut sooner than expected, especially if the recent data gets validated next month. The market should start to move into that direction with new all-time highs likely being in the cards. S&P 500 TECHNICAL ANALYSIS – DAILY TIMEFRAMEOn the daily chart, we can see that the S&P 500 probed below the key support zone around the 6800 level but eventually bounced back strongly. The buyers piled in as soon as the price rose back above the 6800 level with a defined risk below it to target new all-time highs. The sellers will need the price to break below the support to open the door for a bigger correction into the October lows.S&P 500 TECHNICAL ANALYSIS – 4 HOUR TIMEFRAMEOn the 4 hour chart, we can see that we have a downward trendline defining the recent pullback into the 6800 support. The price got rejected yesterday but it’s now coming back to retest the trendline. The sellers will likely continue to lean on the trendline to keep targeting a break below the 6800 support, while the buyers will look for a break higher to increase the bullish bets into a new all-time high.S&P 500 TECHNICAL ANALYSIS – 1 HOUR TIMEFRAMEOn the 1 hour chart, we can see that we have a minor resistance around the 6885 level. In case we break above the trendline, the resistance will likely be the last level of defence for the sellers as a break above it should open the door for new all-time highs. The red lines define the average daily range for today. This article was written by Giuseppe Dellamotta at investinglive.com.

Our next policy move is not automatically an interest rate hikeFuture decisions are to be made on a meeting-by-meeting basisInflation risks are now slightly tilted to the downsideBut not in favour of pre-emptive or "insurance" rate cuts at this stageOutlook for growth and inflation in the euro area remains highly uncertainThat due to the trade war that has just begun as well as geopolitical tensionsGeopolitics now directly drives inflation, growth and market volatilityThe key thing that all central banks want is always flexibility. And that is what Rehn is trying to condition markets into thinking that the ECB has. And as things stand, the market view on what the ECB might do next is as neutral as you can get as seen here.Traders are not pricing in any rate cuts for next year but also not pricing in any rate hikes. The ECB has managed things well enough to keep on the sidelines while not causing an upset in market expectations.However, the question is can they keep that up for much longer going into 2026? That especially since there continues to be stagflation risks creeping into the region's largest economy i.e. Germany. It's going to be a tough balancing act if other economies also follow a similar trend in due time. For now, it's all about waiting and seeing still. This article was written by Justin Low at investinglive.com.

Rate cuts by year-end (2026)Fed: 61 bps (76% probability of no change at the upcoming meeting)BoE: 36 bps (90% probability of no change at the upcoming meeting)Rate hikes by year-end (2026)BoC: 22 bps (94% probability of no change at the upcoming meeting)ECB: 6 bps (97% probability of no change at the upcoming meeting)BoJ: 49 bps (96% probability of no change at the upcoming meeting)RBA: 40 bps (76% probability of no change at the upcoming meeting)RBNZ: 41 bps (98% probability of no change at the upcoming meeting)SNB: 7 bps (97% probability of no change at the upcoming meeting)This week we had a few central bank policy announcements, but the market pricing didn't change much following the releases. In fact, the central banks just delivered on expectations and didn't offer much in terms of forward guidance, keeping market bets steady.The main events though, were the US NFP and CPI reports. Both came out much softer than expected but were taken with a pinch of salt given the shutdown related issues. Nonetheless, the market pricing turned a bit more dovish on the Fed, with the total easing for 2026 going from 56 bps to 61 bps.Next month we'll get a clearer picture on the US labour market and inflation. If the data were to come out soft again, or at least validate what we've seen this week, then the Fed might cut much sooner than expected. This article was written by Giuseppe Dellamotta at investinglive.com.

It's all about the BOJ so far today and we're seeing some modest moves in reaction as the Japanese yen runs lower. That despite the fact that the central bank delivered a 25 bps rate hike to bring its short-term policy rate to 0.75% - its highest since 1995.So, what gives?After dropping in the first half of the week, the pair is seeing a solid rebound. That helped by a double-bottom bounce off the early December lows just below the 155.00 mark. However, the run higher from 155.80 to 156.80 levels now owes very much to the BOJ.The Japanese central bank might have raised interest rates but this seems to be more of a buy the rumour, sell the fact reaction. Now, BOJ governor Ueda was not explicit in pushing another rate hike in March. However, he did leave the door open for that as you would expect him to.So, to say that Ueda was more dovish would be misplaced as I think he pretty much played things out as how he was supposed to and what you would expect him to given the tedious position between the BOJ and the incumbent government.If so, why did the Japanese yen fall in this case?I would say it's markets just taking all bets off for the time being and resetting on what to expect of the BOJ moving forward. The thing about the rate hike today is that it is one that the BOJ could just barely get away with.The threshold and trigger point for the next rate hike will be very, very much higher. And it will definitely need very strong convincing from the upcoming spring wage negotiations. So unless that delivers a compelling argument for the BOJ to move again, policymakers might be stuck on the sidelines for a prolonged period.Going back to USD/JPY, the pair now nudges closer to the December highs of 156.90-95 and that will be a key resistance point to watch out for. A break above that will pave the way for another extension to the rebound towards the November high of 157.89 potentially.Just be wary that the big move we're seeing today, which is the largest gain in the pair since 19 November, is coming at a time just before the Christmas and New Year holiday period for markets.As such, I wouldn't advise chasing such a move as thin liquidity conditions may exacerbate volatility in markets in the next two weeks. And that means allowing room for market moves that might or might not make too much sense. This article was written by Justin Low at investinglive.com.

KEY POINTS:USDINR continues to consolidate below a key resistance around the 90.40 levelThe RBI intervention paused the selloff in the Indian RupeeThe main trend remains to the upsideIn the short-term, traders will look for technical breaksFUNDAMENTAL OVERVIEWUSD:The US CPI yesterday surprised to the downside across the board, but as we’ve seen with the NFP report, the market took the data with a pinch of salt. The dollar weakened following the CPI release but eventually recovered all the losses and strengthened across the board. It should also be noted that we got the US Jobless Claims yesterday and the data was strong. The Initial Claims remain around the same low levels we got used to for years, but Continuing Claims dropped to the lowest level since May. The next NFP report won’t have the shutdown related issues, so we will get a clearer view of the US labour market conditions. For now, I’d say the greenback is kind of neutral, although skewed to the downside a bit.INR:The RBI intervened this week to stop the recent selloff in the Indian Rupee. The last intervention was in October, but as it usually happens when the fundamentals remain against a currency, the INR eventually fell to new lows. We can expect the Rupee to weaken again in the next months, but in the short-term, traders will look for key technical breaks before piling into USDINR longs again. USDINR TECHNICAL ANALYSIS – DAILY TIMEFRAMEOn the daily chart, we can see that USDINR sold off from the upper bound of the rising channel following the RBI’s intervention. The natural target for the sellers remains the lower bound of the channel around the 89.00 level, but they will need to keep the price below the key zones. The buyers, on the other hand, will continue to step in around the key levels to keep targeting new record highs.USDINR TECHNICAL ANALYSIS – 4 HOUR TIMEFRAMEOn the 4 hour chart, we can see that we have a strong resistance around the 90.40 level. The sellers continue to step in there with a defined risk above the level to position for a drop into the 89.70 level next. The buyers, on the other hand, will want to see the price rising above the 90.40 level to pile in for a rally into new all-time highs.USDINR TECHNICAL ANALYSIS – 1 HOUR TIMEFRAMEOn the 1 hour chart, there’s not much else we can add here as the sellers will likely continue to step in around the resistance to target new lows, while the buyers will look for a break higher to position for a rally into a new record high. This article was written by Giuseppe Dellamotta at investinglive.com.