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The main events by the morning: July 2 The Iranian President has signed a decree suspending cooperation with the IAEA. According to the document, the agency's employees are temporarily banned from entering the country. The decision is justified by the need to ensure the safety of Iranian nuclear facilities and specialists in the field of nuclear energy. Thus, the control by the international agency has actually been suspended, which may pave the way for the unrestricted development of the Iranian nuclear program. Germany and the UK are close to signing an extensive mutual assistance agreement. The text of the agreement is almost agreed upon, and the document can be signed before July 17. The treaty will confirm Berlin and London's commitment to the NATO alliance as the main pillar of their collective defense. Google faced a fine of $314 million in connection with the illegal use of Android user data. Consumers claimed that Google programmed Android phones to transmit data to Google servers when users were not connected to a Wi-Fi network. The corporation used this information «to promote its corporate interests.» Azerbaijan continues to ruin relations with Russia. The country suspended negotiations with the Russian Federation on a number of major economic agreements and officially accused Russia of torture and violation of international law. Russian-language schools are also being closed in Azerbaijan. It is reported that this decision is aimed at strengthening the position of the Azerbaijani language as the main language of education and integrating all citizens into a single educational environment. Hong Kong claims to be the first in the world in terms of IPO volume. In 2025, Hong Kong may surpass New York in terms of initial public offerings. Since the beginning of the year, IPOs on the local stock exchange have raised HK$107 billion, an increase of 701%. Up to 100 placements worth up to $28 billion are expected by the end of the year. Geopolitics, the activation of Chinese companies, and the flow of capital from the United States have made Hong Kong a popular destination again. More analytics on our website: bit.ly/3VobLUv

The main events by the morning: July 1 The United States has threatened Japan with higher tariffs if it does not restore its rice purchases. In 2024, Japan purchased rice from the United States for $298 million, but in the first four months of 2025 — only for $114 million. Donald Trump said that Tokyo refused to purchase rice despite the shortage in the country. At the same time, official comments from the Japanese government have not yet been received. Shares of Tesla Inc declined significantly amid the escalation of the conflict between Trump and Elon Musk. Trump has publicly criticized Musk, saying he benefits excessively from government subsidies, and called for a review of federal support provided to Tesla. According to over-the-counter trading on the Robinhood platform, Tesla quotes decreased by 6.4% to the level of $297.35. Canada has started exporting LNG – Shell Canada Energy has shipped its first LNG cargo from the LNG Canada project to Asia. The Kitimat plant is the first major North American LNG project with access to the Pacific Ocean. LNG Canada is a joint venture that includes several companies, and its capacity is 14 million tons per year. The project is considered the largest private investment in the Canadian economy, with a construction cost of about 40 billion Canadian dollars (approximately $29.4 billion). Trump has signed a memorandum toughening American policy towards Cuba. The document establishes a ban on tourist trips by US citizens to the island, confirms support for the current economic embargo, and also provides for active opposition to attempts to lift it at international forums, including the United Nations. Cuba's foreign minister reacted sharply to the measures, calling Washington's actions «criminal behavior.»

The main events by the morning: June 30 Trump will appoint only a candidate willing to lower interest rates as the new head of the Federal Reserve System. He criticized the current chairman, Jerome Powell, calling him a «stubborn ass» and expressing hope for his resignation, although Powell's term expires in May 2026. Currently, the Fed is keeping the rate at 4.25-4.5%, but Trump insists on a significant reduction. The United States lifted sanctions against Russia regarding the Paks-2 NPP project in Hungary. This was stated by the country's Foreign Minister Szijjarto. The construction of the station can be continued. Recall that in November 2024, the Biden administration imposed sanctions against Gazprombank, through which the project was financed. Canada has made concessions to the United States in the trade war. The country will abolish the digital services tax against American companies ahead of an expected deal with the United States. Negotiations on the trade agreement are scheduled to resume by July 21. All G7 countries are ready to make concessions to the Trump administration. They agreed on Saturday to exempt American companies from certain provisions of the existing global tax agreement. The G7 said the plan recognizes existing U.S. minimum tax laws and aims to increase the stability of the international tax system. South Korea postponed the digital won pilot due to costs and lack of a commercialization plan. Instead, the Central Bank will focus on regulating stablecoins linked to won in order to reduce dependence on dollar tokens and preserve financial sovereignty. The eight largest banks are already working on the creation of such a stablecoin, and the issue will be controlled through licensed banks to protect the economy.

XAU/USD. Analysis and Forecast Gold is drawing renewed selling interest today after breaking below the key $3300 level. Traders are awaiting the release of the U.S. Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) Price Index, which is viewed as a crucial indicator for assessing the Federal Reserve's policy outlook. These figures are expected to significantly influence the short-term trajectory of the U.S. dollar and, by extension, the price of gold. Despite some optimism around a potential ceasefire between Israel and Iran and a broader risk-on sentiment diverting investors away from safe-haven assets, concerns over the Federal Reserve's independence and prevailing bearish sentiment toward the U.S. dollar may help limit the downside for gold. Notably, data released yesterday showed that the U.S. economy contracted more than expected in the first quarter. This reinforces expectations of Fed rate cuts and keeps the dollar subdued near multi-year lows, indirectly supporting demand for gold as a defensive asset. Earlier this week, Jerome Powell reiterated that the Federal Reserve is in a favorable position to delay interest rate cuts until it has better control over the inflationary impact of high tariffs. These remarks drew renewed criticism from President Donald Trump, who again called for lower rates and even hinted at the possibility of replacing Powell as early as September or October. Such developments raise concerns about potential threats to the Fed's independence and may limit any positive reaction of the U.S. dollar to upcoming inflation data. As a result, gold prices are unlikely to experience a sharp and sustained decline. From a technical perspective, today's intraday drop below the 200-period Simple Moving Average (SMA) on the 4-hour chart could be viewed as a fresh trigger for sellers. Given that daily chart oscillators are gaining downside momentum, the precious metal could accelerate its decline toward the $3245 level, with further support seen at the horizontal level of $3210, the psychological $3200 mark, and potentially the $3175 level. On the other hand, the $3324–3325 level is acting as immediate resistance, ahead of the $3350 level. Above that, further resistance lies near $3368–3370, which could limit additional gains. However, a sustained move above this range would allow XAU/USD to revisit the $3400 level. Continued buying interest beyond that point would invalidate the bearish outlook and shift momentum in favor of the bulls.

US Market News Digest for June 26 Trump pushes S&P 500 toward record highs Donald Trump is fueling gains in the S&P 500, driving the index toward all-time highs amid political stability and market optimism. However, analysts warn that current elevated stock valuations may only prove sustainable with significant earnings growth. This puts pressure on companies to outperform expectations and justify current market levels. US indices show mixed performance US stock indices closed mixed: modest gains in the S&P 500 and Nasdaq offset losses in the Dow Jones. Markets remain sensitive to the Fed's rhetoric as rate-cut prospects weigh on the dollar and bond yields. Amid the uncertainty, investors are rotating into rate-sensitive sectors. Tech sector lifts market despite selective weakness Investors maintain cautious optimism as technology stocks continue their steady advance, bolstering the Nasdaq. Despite strong sector earnings, Tesla and FedEx shares face pressure following disappointing guidance. The broader uptrend persists, though single-stock volatility underscores lingering risks. Nvidia tops global valuation rankings Nvidia shares hit a record high, crowning the chipmaker as the world's most valuable company with $3.77 trillion market cap. While AI chip demand remains robust, analysts flag potential risks from export controls. The stock's future performance may serve as a bellwether for broader tech sentiment. Market on pause: profit-taking possible The S&P 500 stalled near annual highs amid uncertain momentum and falling bond yields. Investor caution suggests potential profit-taking that could lead to a local correction. Upcoming economic reports are expected to determine the next market direction. Futures gain on macroeconomic optimism S&P 500 and Nasdaq futures advanced amid positive Iran negotiation developments and favorable macro data. Investors are betting on further market gains despite lingering external risks. Stable corporate earnings and easing inflation expectations are boosting risk appetite.

The main events by the morning: June 25 Russian oil has broken two records at once: a record high price and record low imports. The cost of a barrel of Urals crude oil last week exceeded $68, which was the highest since January. Now the price of Russian oil has dropped to $65-$65.23 per barrel. At the same time, shipments fell to a minimum in 2 months — 220 thousand barrels per day. During the week, this figure decreased by 4%. The duty on wheat exports from Russia has been reduced 2.3 times since June 25. Now the duty rate is 248.3 rubles against 566 rubles per ton a week earlier, the Ministry of Agriculture said. The duty on barley will once again be zero, and on corn it will decrease to 358.1 rubles from 397.3 rubles per ton. The new rates will be valid until July 1. Some American media outlets claim that the United States has failed to destroy Iran's nuclear program. CNN, citing U.S. intelligence, notes that the main components of the country's nuclear program have not been destroyed. The US attack most likely only set the nuclear program back a few months. Trump critically disagrees with the intelligence data and publicly defends the success of the attack on Iran. China has become more interested in building the Power of Siberia-2 amid the conflict between Iran and Israel. It showed that oil supplies from the Middle East may not be so reliable, and China needs stable alternatives. However, the problem is that China is trying to promote not very favorable conditions for the Russian Federation and purchase gas at almost the same price at which it is sold on the Russian domestic market. The UK will spend the proceeds from the Russian frozen assets on missiles for Ukraine. The country will supply 350 latest air defense missiles. The ammunition is planned to be used with the help of Raven systems previously supplied by the UK — five of them are still on their way to Ukraine.

Iran-Israel peace hint rattles markets: What's happening to oil, gold and currencies Global Markets Rally as Oil Tumbles Amid Middle East Tensions Global equity markets ended Monday on a high note, shaking off concerns over growing tensions in the Middle East. Investors appeared unfazed by Iran's retaliatory strikes on US military facilities in Qatar, focusing instead on broader market momentum. Meanwhile, oil prices plummeted following recent highs not seen in months. Iran's Strikes Seen as Controlled Move Tehran's decision to launch airstrikes on American bases in Qatar sent ripples through geopolitical circles, but the market response was surprisingly calm. According to a senior regional source, Iran had informed the United States through diplomatic channels ahead of the attack — a move interpreted as a bid to de-escalate the situation rather than provoke further conflict. Oil Slides Sharply After Reaching Recent Peaks Oil benchmarks, which had recently surged to five-month highs, reversed direction sharply on Monday. Brent crude dropped by 7.2% to close at 71.48 dollars per barrel, while WTI fell by the same margin to 68.51 dollars. Index Performance Recap Despite geopolitical uncertainty, Wall Street closed in the green: Dow Jones: +0.89% to 42,581.78; S&P 500: +0.96% to 6,025.17; Nasdaq Composite: +0.94% to 19,630.98. In Europe: STOXX 600: -0.28%. Across Asian markets: MSCI Asia Pacific (excluding Japan): -0.70%. The broader MSCI World Index gained 0.49%, reflecting a more optimistic global investment climate. Fed's Bowman Hints at Rate Cuts as Labor Market Risks Rise Federal Reserve Vice Chair for Supervision Michelle Bowman suggested on Monday that the US central bank may be approaching a point where lowering interest rates becomes appropriate. Her growing concern about labor market vulnerabilities appears to be overtaking previous fears about persistent inflation driven by high import tariffs. Her comments prompted a swift reaction in financial markets, especially among currency traders. Mixed Signals on Currency Markets Following Bowman's remarks, the US dollar posted mixed results. It rose slightly against the Japanese yen by 0.08 percent to reach 146.15 but declined by 0.68 percent versus the Swiss franc, settling at 0.81260. The euro recovered from earlier losses and gained 0.49 percent to reach 1.157675 dollars. The dollar index, which tracks the greenback against a basket of major currencies, slipped by 0.5 percent to 98.39. Gold Prices Rebound After Early Losses Precious metals saw upward momentum as well. Spot gold rose by 0.23 percent to 3375.71 dollars per ounce, while US gold futures advanced by 0.3 percent to 3395 dollars. European Stocks Rally on Truce Announcement Investor sentiment soared across European markets on Tuesday after former US President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire agreement between Iran and Israel. The news was greeted with relief by traders, boosting appetite for risk across global exchanges. The STOXX 600, a broad gauge of European equities, rose by 1.4 percent to 542.6 points. Germany's DAX index led the gains with an increase of nearly 2 percent. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that his government accepted the US-brokered ceasefire proposal. Oil Drops to Two-Week Lows as Supply Fears Fade, Gold Retreats on Risk Appetite Oil prices fell to their lowest levels in two weeks amid a noticeable decline in supply-related concerns. Meanwhile, investor appetite for riskier assets pushed gold prices down to nearly two-week lows, signaling a broader shift in market sentiment. Market Split: Energy Slips While Travel Stocks Surge Sectors responded differently to the shifting market dynamics. Energy shares declined by 3.5 percent, reflecting the weakness in oil prices. In contrast, travel and leisure stocks rallied, rising by 4.3 percent, supported by growing investor optimism about global economic resilience and consumer demand. AstraZeneca Gains as Lung Cancer Drug Gets US Approval Shares of UK-based pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca rose by 1.3 percent after the company, alongside its Japanese partner Daiichi Sankyo, received approval from US regulators for their precision lung cancer treatment, Datroway. The approval is seen as a significant milestone in the company's oncology pipelines. Spotlight on Powell's Congressional Testimony Investor attention is now focused on upcoming remarks by Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell before the US Congress. His testimony is expected to provide crucial clues about the central bank's policy direction and could influence financial markets in the short term.

Iran attacks exacerbate oil crisis: S&P 500 freezes ahead of key US data Markets on Edge: Investors Brace for Sell-Off After US Strike on Iran Financial markets are on alert this Monday as investors anticipate a sharp downturn following a US military strike on Iran over the weekend. The potential for retaliation and a surge in oil prices is weighing heavily on global sentiment. Middle East Tensions Eclipse Economic Reports The escalating crisis in the Middle East has overtaken the release of US economic data as the primary focus for investors. The unexpected move by President Donald Trump to back Israel's military campaign against Iran has heightened concerns over market volatility, inflation trends, and the Federal Reserve's next steps on interest rates. S&P 500 Stalls Below Record Highs The S&P 500 index, while rebounding from early April losses, remains approximately 2.7 percent below its February peak. Despite nearing the 5 percent threshold from its previous high over the past 27 trading sessions, it has yet to reach a new record. Oil Prices Climb, Markets Hold Their Breath The growing conflict between Israel and Iran has already driven oil prices higher. Though equities have remained relatively stable so far, market participants remain wary. A sustained rise in energy prices could fuel inflation and disrupt the Fed's expected path toward interest rate cuts. Fed Holds Rates Steady, But Leaves the Door Open to Cuts During its Wednesday meeting, the US Federal Reserve kept interest rates unchanged. Policymakers signaled that borrowing costs could still decline later this year, though the expected pace of rate cuts is likely to be slower than projected in March. Officials pointed to anticipated inflationary pressure, potentially fueled by President Donald Trump's tariff plans, as a reason for the revised outlook. A Data-Heavy Week Ahead for US Markets Investors are bracing for a flood of key economic reports. Monday brings updates on US business activity and home sales. Consumer confidence figures are set for release on Tuesday, followed by Friday's PCE price index, the Fed's preferred measure of inflation. Consumers Cautious, But Sentiment May Be Rebounding US consumer confidence has dipped in recent months amid fears that tariffs could push the economy toward recession and stoke inflation. However, with inflation remaining tame and the US-China trade conflict showing signs of de-escalation, market participants are hoping for a rebound in household sentiment. European Stocks Struggle for Direction Amid Middle East Escalation European markets opened the week with mixed performance, as rising geopolitical tensions weighed on investor mood. The joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities over the weekend introduced fresh uncertainty into an already fragile global landscape. Key European Indices: STOXX 600: down 0.01 percent to 536.57 points; Germany (DAX): down 0.1 percent; France (CAC 40): down 0.1 percent; Spain (IBEX): up 0.1 percent; United Kingdom (FTSE): up 0.04 percent. Deadline Nears: Trade Talks Falter as Tariff Expiry Looms With the July 8 deadline to lift US tariffs approaching, negotiations with Washington appear to have stalled. Hopes for a breakthrough are fading, adding to market uncertainty. Eurozone Growth Stalls Again in June Economic momentum across the eurozone remained stagnant for the second consecutive month. According to a report released Monday, the service sector — typically the driving force of the region's economy — showed only modest improvement. Meanwhile, manufacturing activity registered no change at all. UK Sees Modest Rebound in Business Activity In contrast, the United Kingdom posted a slight uptick in business activity for June, offering a tentative sign that the domestic economy may be stabilizing. Tech and Energy Lead Market Gains Technology stocks led the advance across European markets, climbing 0.6 percent. The energy sector followed with a 0.3 percent gain, fueled by rising oil prices amid renewed concerns over supply disruptions following strikes on Iranian facilities. Defense Sector Under Pressure Shares in the European aerospace and defense industry declined by 0.9 percent, as investor sentiment shifted in light of escalating tensions and market volatility. Corporate Headlines: Mergers, Divestitures, and Clinical Results Spectris soared by 14.9 percent after private equity firm Advent announced its intention to acquire the scientific instruments manufacturer in a deal valued at 4.4 billion pounds; Holcim gained 11.1 percent after the Swiss construction materials giant completed the spin-off of its North American division, Amrize, marking a key step in its restructuring strategy; Novo Nordisk declined by 2.8 percent following the release of full results from late-stage clinical trials of its experimental weight-loss drug, CagriSema. Despite reaching this advanced phase, the market's reaction was tepid; UCB advanced 4.4 percent after Morgan Stanley upgraded the Belgian biopharmaceutical company's rating from "equal weight" to "overweight," citing improved growth prospects

Gold has updated the record, reaching $2,800 per ounce The price of gold reached an all-time high on Friday, capping its best month since March 2024. Investors are actively switching to this protective asset amid concerns about tariffs in the United States. Traders' attention is focused on the key report on inflation in the United States, expected later. The spot price of gold was $2,793 per ounce, an increase of more than 6% in a month. Earlier, quotes reached the level of $2,800. Futures are trading at $2,843, retreating from the record of $2,859 recorded in the Asian session. Trading activity remained low due to the closure of Chinese markets in connection with the celebration of the Lunar New Year. US President Trump has confirmed plans to impose 25% tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada. Analysts note that such threats have increased the demand for gold as a safe asset. Inflation data may show the flexibility of the Fed's policy, which will accelerate expectations of a rate cut and support gold. Fed Chairman Jerome Powell said that the softness of further policy will depend on inflation and the labor market. More analytics on our website: bit.ly/3VobLUv

AI Race Heats Up: China Advances, Nvidia Loses 4%, Markets Fall US Stocks End in the Red: Fed, Chinese Tech Impact US stock indexes closed lower on Wednesday, but were able to recover some of their losses after encouraging remarks from Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell. As expected, the Fed left its key interest rate unchanged, giving the market a signal of continued stability. Tech Sector Under Pressure Tech giants took the brunt of the blow. The S&P 500 index felt pressure from the high-tech sector (.SPLRCT), and Nvidia (NVDA.O) shares lost 4.1% of their value. Microsoft (MSFT.O) shares also fell by 1.1%, continuing a downward trend that began after the emergence of Chinese company DeepSeek, which presented its own artificial intelligence models. The new developments turned out to be more economical and efficient even on less powerful chips than those used by OpenAI, which worried investors. Market reaction to the Fed's statement After the publication of the Fed's decision, the stock market showed an additional decline: the Nasdaq index fell by more than 1% during trading. The US central bank changed its rhetoric on inflation, no longer declaring progress in reducing it, but only noting that price growth remains at a high level. At the same time, the decision to keep the rate at the current level did not come as a surprise to investors. Earlier in 2024, the regulator cut the interest rate three times, reducing it by a total of one percentage point. However, now the Fed is signaling a more cautious approach, leaving markets waiting for further steps. Markets cut losses: Powell confidently guides investors US stock indices managed to partially recover from the decline, when the head of the Federal Reserve, Jerome Powell, began his speech at a press conference. His restrained but confident statements helped to reduce panic among investors. He noted that the regulator does not need to rush to revise monetary policy, and the current course remains flexible enough to manage economic risks. Financial analysts note Powell's confidence "Powell is a master at calming the markets," said Jake Dollarhide, CEO of Longbow Asset Management. According to him, a strong economy gives the Federal Reserve room to make balanced decisions, which has a positive effect on investor sentiment. However, despite this, leading stock indices closed the session in the red. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (.DJI) fell 136.83 points (-0.31%) to close at 44,713.52. The S&P 500 (.SPX) lost 28.39 points (-0.47%) to close at 6,039.31, and the Nasdaq Composite (.IXIC) fell 101.26 points (-0.51%) to close at 19,632.32. Fed Stays on Track The Federal Reserve hasn't thrown any surprises at the market, Peter Cardillo, chief market economist at Spartan Capital Securities, confirmed. He said the lack of surprises in the Fed's rhetoric was expected, and the markets have taken it in stride. However, Powell refrained from making predictions about Donald Trump's economic policies, noting that it is too early to talk about their consequences. The central bank intends to take a wait-and-see approach to assess the possible impact of new initiatives on the economy. Investors are concerned about US trade policy The main concerns of market participants are related to the tariffs proposed by Trump. Economists believe that these measures could increase inflation and create additional obstacles to lowering interest rates. At the same time, the Fed has not given clear signals about when exactly the next reduction in borrowing costs might occur, which leaves markets in a state of uncertainty. In the coming weeks, investors will continue to closely monitor macroeconomic indicators and statements from the regulator in order to better understand the possible further steps of the Federal Reserve. Markets await an important inflation indicator A key event for the further direction of the market will be the publication of the consumer price expenditure index (PCE), which is scheduled for Friday. This indicator is considered one of the most important indicators of inflation, which the Fed uses when making decisions on monetary policy. Investors are hoping the data will provide more clarity on future rate dynamics. F5 shares soar on upbeat outlook Amid a broader market decline, shares of cloud services company F5 (FFIV.O) soared 11.4%. The surge came after the company gave an upbeat second-quarter revenue forecast and beat expectations for its first-quarter profit. The strong gains suggest that demand for cloud technology is continuing despite the turbulence in the tech sector. Microsoft loses ground on weak cloud outlook Meanwhile, Microsoft (MSFT.O) shares were under pressure. The company's shares fell 4.5% in over-the-counter trading after giving a disappointing outlook for its cloud business. Investors are concerned about the high costs of developing artificial intelligence, uncertainty about future revenue from the technology, and growing competition from Chinese AI developers offering cheaper solutions. The decline was another sign that even tech giants are struggling in a competitive and uncertain global marketplace. Azure growth forecast disappoints investors Microsoft CFO Amy Hood said Azure could grow in the 31% to 32% range in its fiscal third quarter, below the 33% forecast. The numbers were a disappointment to the market, as analysts had expected stronger momentum in cloud computing, a key driver of the company's future growth. Azure revenue increased 31% in the quarter, but fell short of the 31.8% forecast by Visible Alpha. At the same time, Microsoft's capital expenditures reached $22.6 billion, beating analysts' average forecast of $20.95 billion. Satya Nadella: Microsoft Makes AI Services More Affordable At a conference with analysts, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella emphasized that the company continues to invest in building powerful data centers needed to develop and scale artificial intelligence models. According to him, the priority remains not only technological progress, but also reducing the cost of AI solutions for customers. "We are actively working on software optimization," Nadella said. "This applies not only to the technologies presented by DeepSeek, but also to many years of efforts to reduce the cost of GPT models in partnership with OpenAI." The head of the company also noted that significant improvements in algorithms have made it possible to significantly increase the efficiency of data processing, which is critical for the further implementation of AI in cloud services. Microsoft remains the flagship of AI, but lags behind competitors in growth dynamics Despite high investments in the AI sector, Microsoft shares have added only 8% over the past year. This is significantly lower than the 29% growth of Alphabet and the 50% increase in the value of Amazon. However, investors still view the company as a key player in the AI industry. According to LSEG, Microsoft trades at about 32 times expected earnings, slightly above its five-year average of 30 times. This indicates that the market has elevated expectations for future profits from the company's AI developments. Financial performance exceeds analysts' estimates Despite pressure from competitors, Microsoft was able to beat market estimates. The company's revenue for the second fiscal quarter (ending in December) increased by 12%, reaching $ 69.6 billion, which is higher than the average analyst estimate of $ 68.78 billion. In addition, earnings per share were $ 3.23, which was also higher than the forecast of $ 3.11 per share. More analytics on our website: bit.ly/3VobLUv

The main events by the morning: January 29 The European Union plans to abandon Russian aluminum within a year. The EU intends to introduce a phased ban on imports of Russian aluminum as part of the 16th package of sanctions. Also, in accordance with the future package of measures, 15 more Russian banks may be disconnected from SWIFT and sanctions may be imposed affecting 70 Russian vessels. The Czech Republic may become the first European country with cryptocurrency in reserves. The head of the Czech National Bank, Ales Michl, plans to invest part of the country's reserves in bitcoins, which could make the bank the first central bank in the West with crypto assets. He intends to propose to the board of directors to invest up to 5% of the reserves, estimated at $140 billion, in cryptocurrency. Trump is still aiming to impose trade duties on Canada and Mexico from the beginning of February. This was announced by White House press Secretary Carolyn Levitt. According to her, the president confirmed that the date of February 1 is still considered as the deadline for the introduction of these restrictive measures. In addition, Levitt clarified that similar steps could be taken against China. Scott Bessent, an American financier, became the 79th Secretary of the Treasury of the United States. He will have to fulfill key tasks: to maintain the stability of the national economy, promote its growth and create new jobs for citizens. Previously, he headed the British division of Soros Fund Management, founded the funds Bessent Capital and Key Square Group. Bessent's fortune is estimated at 700 million. Protests organized by the Alliance for Preventive Economic Day will be held in Germany. Actions in large cities are designed to draw attention to the crisis and demand reforms: lower taxes, bureaucracy, and energy prices. Protests will start in Berlin at the Brandenburg Gate. The Alliance warns that the German economy is experiencing stagnation, accompanied by an outflow of domestic companies and a reduction in interest from international investors. More analytics on our website: bit.ly/3VobLUv

WTI Oil Holds Its Ground, Fearing a Collapse The hydrocarbon markets are under pressure, trying to cope with the current volatility. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil prices, which have already declined, are facing additional pressure. However, WTI is attempting to stabilize and avoid dropping to lower levels. On Tuesday, January 28, WTI, the benchmark crude oil in the U.S., was trading near $73.00 per barrel. Futures for this light crude saw a considerable decline. On the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX), WTI crude oil futures for March delivery were priced at $73.16 per barrel, with American crude briefly dipping by 0.01%. Despite this, support was observed near $73.08, while resistance was established at $76.00 per barrel. In contrast, Brent crude futures for April delivery on ICE saw a slight increase of 0.01%, reaching $76.19 per barrel. The price difference between Brent and WTI contracts was recorded at $3.03 per barrel. Additionally, the USD Index futures, which track the dollar's performance against a basket of six major currencies, rose by 0.49%, reaching a value of $107.69, as noted by experts. Analysts report that WTI crude prices are facing pressure due to uncertainty surrounding U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff plans. Weak economic data from China is further complicating the situation. Over the weekend, Trump unsettled the markets by threatening to impose tariffs on goods from Colombia and indicated he may take similar actions against China, Canada, Mexico, and the European Union. Additionally, he expressed his intention to pressure Saudi Arabia and OPEC to reduce oil prices. This uncertainty regarding the effects of Trump's proposed tariffs is heavily affecting WTI prices. Adding to the complexity is the new administration's energy policy, which could significantly destabilize WTI prices in the near future. Financial analyst David Eng points out that WTI and Brent prices were already volatile and are now under added pressure as the market reacts to recent developments in U.S. trade policy. Eng noted, "While the tariffs that the Trump administration threatened against Colombia were short-lived, similar trade actions could trigger unrest in global markets." The emergence of the Chinese startup DeepSeek has added fuel to the fire, as it has surpassed ChatGPT in both popularity and market capitalization. DeepSeek's disruptive entry into the market has shocked investors, leading to a decline in most stock prices. Additionally, this low-cost artificial intelligence (AI) model has raised concerns about the energy demand of data centers. This week, market participants are closely watching the Federal Reserve's meeting scheduled for Wednesday, January 29. The Fed is expected to announce its decision regarding interest rates. Experts believe that, given the current uncertainty, the U.S. central bank will likely keep the key interest rate unchanged. Oil traders are particularly focused on the January FOMC meeting for insight on future monetary policy. A hawkish stance from the Fed could pressure economic growth and diminish expectations for WTI oil demand. Conversely, a dovish approach from the central bank could support oil prices in the near term. More analytics on our website: bit.ly/3VobLUv

The main events by the morning: January 27 The United States imposed 25% duties on all goods from Colombia in response to the country's refusal to accept deported illegal immigrants. This was stated by President Donald Trump, calling the new measures «just the beginning.» In addition to the tariffs, the United States suspended the admission of Colombian officials and increased checks on Colombian citizens. These steps are part of Trump's updated migration policy, which provides expanded powers to deportation services. In recent days, there have been mass expulsions of illegal migrants to Brazil, Mexico and Guatemala. Colombia is losing ground to the United States under pressure from tariffs. After the introduction of 25% duties, Colombia agreed to accept flights with deported migrants. The Trump administration has said it is ready to lift all restrictions, including visa sanctions, as soon as the first plane carrying the deportees lands in Colombia. Ratings drop: Macron and Starmer lose support. French President Emmanuel Macron's rating has dropped to a record low of 21%, according to Le Journal du Dimanche. The decline in popularity among pensioners, a key group of his constituents, is especially noticeable due to the unpopular pension reform. In the UK, the situation is no better: Prime Minister Keir Starmer has only 20% support. The Moscow Exchange returns morning trading. Starting today, the Moscow Stock Exchange resumes its morning session on the stock market. Now the auction will be held from 6:50 to 23:50 Moscow time, which will provide 17 hours of work per day. In the morning, investors will be able to trade the most liquid stocks and OFZs. The change in the index level at this time will be reflected through a special index of the additional session – IRUS2. Hungary is looking forward to a new stage in relations with the United States. Hungary is preparing for a «golden age» in relations with the United States after Donald Trump came to power. This was stated by Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto after talks with new Secretary of State Marco Rubio. U.S. representatives assured Hungary that the system of bilateral political relations would be reformed. According to Szijjarto, the two countries' positions coincide on key policy areas, which creates the basis for strengthening cooperation. More analytics on our website: bit.ly/3VobLUv

Telegram has chosen TON as the only blockchain platform for its ecosystem TON will become the only blockchain infrastructure for Telegram thanks to a new agreement between the messenger and the TON Foundation. Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, said that this would ensure the stable operation of the platform and increase protection against fraudsters. According to the agreements, all mini-applications using cryptocurrency are required to switch to TON by February 21, 2025. TON Connect will become an exclusive protocol for wallet integration. In addition, Telegram plans to develop new projects using TON, such as asset tokenization and the creation of NFT stickers. To simplify the transition of projects from other blockchains, the TON Foundation offers grants of up to $50,000, available to developers who have not previously received payments from the fund and will transfer their projects within 30 days. The centralization of blockchain activities in TON is probably related to the need to strengthen security. According to the data, since November 2024, the number of phishing attacks on crypto investors has increased by 2000%. This solution will allow the messenger to reduce the risks of fraud and establish uniform standards for cryptocurrency applications. At the moment, the Toncoin price is holding at around $5,147. More analytics on our website: bit.ly/3VobLUv

The main events by the morning: January 23 Trump called on Russia to end its war immediately. He noted that there are two ways to end the conflict in Ukraine: easy and difficult. The US president would have chosen the easy way. However, if the conflict cannot be resolved, Trump intends to strengthen sanctions against Russia. At the same time, he added that «he does not pursue the goal of harming Russia and loves the Russian people.» Ukraine expects the cessation of hostilities in 2025. This was stated by the First Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Economy of Ukraine Yulia Sviridenko. According to her, Kiev will enter into negotiations only when the country increases «defense production and is strong enough.» The Deputy Prime Minister also hopes for Trump's active participation in the negotiation process. Saudi Arabia has promised to increase investment and trade with the United States. Yesterday, Donald Trump and the Prince of Saudi Arabia had a phone call. During the conversation, the Crown Prince of the kingdom confirmed his intention to increase investment and trade with the United States by $600 billion over four years and possibly beyond this amount. Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud also congratulated Trump on his re-election and conveyed congratulations from the king. Trump has closed the southern border of the United States to illegal immigrants. US President Donald Trump has signed a decree suspending the entry of illegal migrants across the southern border and expelling them. He also restricted the right of migrants who entered the country through the southern border to stay there under the pretext of seeking asylum. The United States is increasing its military presence on the border with Mexico. As part of Trump's orders, 1,500 military personnel, helicopters and intelligence analysts have already been sent to the southern border. In the near future, another 10,000 soldiers will go to the border. The Pentagon says that the announced measures are just the beginning. More analytics on our website: bit.ly/3VobLUv