Asia Market Wrap - Asian markets volatile after last week's selloff Japan's stock market had a rough Monday, with the Nikkei index dropping 1.2% for its biggest weekly loss. The day actually started well because a weak yen helped exporters and positive election news for Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi boosted confidence.However, that optimism vanished when technology and mining stocks tanked. The main trigger was bad news for the AI industry: reports surfaced that Nvidia might cancel a massive $100 billion investment in OpenAI, which caused tech stocks to plummet across Asia, including a 4% drop in South Korea’s Kospi index.Meanwhile, Indonesia's stock market is facing its own crisis, losing over $80 billion in value recently. Investors are pulling their money out of the country because they are losing faith in President Prabowo Subianto’s economic plans and are worried about a lack of transparency in how the markets are run. Things have become so concerning that a major global index provider warned Indonesia might be downgraded to "frontier status," which essentially means it would be seen as a much riskier and less developed place to invest.Most Read: 2026 US Dollar Forecast: How the Fed, Government Spending, and AI Will Drive VolatilityEuro Zone output rebounds Europe’s manufacturing sector is still struggling, marking its third straight month of decline. While a key survey showed that factories are actually starting to produce more goods again, the overall industry is shrinking because new orders continue to drop. Think of it like a factory that is running its machines but doesn't have enough new customers to keep the momentum going.On top of that, factories have been cutting jobs for nearly three years, though the layoffs are finally starting to slow down.The situation across Europe is very "hit or miss" depending on the country. Greece and France are seeing their factories grow, with France hitting its best streak in over three years. However, the biggest economies like Germany, Italy, and Spain are still stuck in a slump.Making matters worse, the cost of raw materials and energy is rising at the fastest rate in three years, but factories aren't able to raise their own prices to cover those costs, which puts a squeeze on their profits.Despite these current headaches, there is a glimmer of hope. Factory owners are feeling more confident about the future than they have since early 2022, betting that things will eventually turn around later this year.European Session - European stocks start the month in the red European stock markets started February on a low note, with major indexes like the STOXX 50 and STOXX 600 both losing value. This decline followed a global trend where investors pulled their money out of riskier investments.Two main factors caused this: first, a massive sell-off in commodities like oil and metals, and second, renewed worries that Artificial Intelligence (AI) companies might be overvalued.The mood shifted largely because of news from the US and the tech world. Investors are nervous about Kevin Warsh being nominated to lead the US Federal Reserve, fearing he will take a "tougher" approach to the economy.At the same time, a report revealed that Nvidia is reconsidering a massive $100 billion investment in OpenAI, which caused tech stocks to slide.While big energy and mining companies like Shell and Rio Tinto saw their stock prices drop, some consumer companies like Nestlé and Unilever actually managed to gain value as investors looked for safer places to put their money.On the FX front, the US dollar remained strong on Monday as investors processed the news that Kevin Warsh has been nominated to lead the Federal Reserve. This nomination has given the dollar a boost because traders expect Warsh to be more focused on controlling inflation.Meanwhile, the Japanese yen is back in the spotlight after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi spoke in favor of a weaker currency to help Japanese exporters. This message contradicts her own finance officials, who have been trying to stop the yen from losing too much value, leading to some confusion and volatility in the market.In Europe and the UK, the euro and the pound remained mostly steady as investors wait for upcoming interest rate decisions from their central banks later this week.Elsewhere, the Australian dollar fell slightly before its own central bank meeting, while the Canadian and New Zealand dollars also saw small drops.Additionally, the dollar grew stronger against the Norwegian krone because oil prices crashed by 5%.Currency Power Balance zoom_out_map Source: OANDA Labs Oil prices took a sharp dive on Monday, falling about 5% after President Donald Trump suggested that tensions with Iran were cooling off.Prices had reached high levels in January because people were worried a conflict might disrupt global oil supplies, but those fears eased when Trump mentioned that Iran was "seriously talking" with the US government. Because the risk of a military strike has faded, both global Brent crude and US oil prices dropped by over $3.50 per barrel, erasing some of the big gains seen last month.Beyond the news out of the Middle East, other factors are also helping to push prices down. Oil production in places like the US and Kazakhstan is back on track after recent disruptions, meaning there is more oil available for everyone. Between the increase in supply and the decrease in political drama, the pressure that was keeping energy prices high has finally started to lift.On Monday, precious metals continued their slide in the Asian session. Prices for gold, silver, oil, and industrial metals all fell sharply, mostly because investors are reacting to the news that Kevin Warsh has been chosen as the next leader of the Federal Reserve.Market participants are worried that Warsh will be "tougher" on the economy, which led to a massive wave of selling that has lasted for two days straight.Gold prices dropped 5% to their lowest level in weeks, while silver fell more than 7%, a shocking reversal after both reached record highs just last week.The selling got even more intense because the main exchange for these metals (CME Group) decided to raise the "down payment" (called a margin) required to trade them. This move forced many traders to sell their holdings because they didn't have enough cash to cover the new, higher costs.This follows a historic "crash" that started on Friday, which saw gold suffer its biggest one-day drop since 1983 and silver plunge by 27%, the largest daily loss ever recorded for the metal.Gold and Silver bulls are showing some life here in early European trade with Gold recovering to trade around the $4700/oz mark.Read More:Markets Weekly Outlook - NFP forecast, Fed's new direction, RBA rate hike risk, BoE/ECB pause and big tech earningsChart alert: Gold extends plunge by 9%, approaching $4,405 inflection level for potential minor bounceBitcoin under price pressure: (BTC/USD) fails to hold the $88000 level. Is a recovery on the way?Economic Calendar and Final Thoughts Data is largely thin today with Euro Area PMI released already.There will be some earnings releases from the US before the market open with Disney reporting results.In the US session we will get some key PMI data releases and some Fed speakers.The US dollar is starting to gain strength again. Over the past week, the dollar’s value had been dropping because people were worried the government might intentionally weaken it (a trend known as the "de-basement trade").However, that trend has reversed now that President Trump has nominated Kevin Warsh as the next head of the Federal Reserve. Because investors were previously over-invested in gold and silver, they are now selling those metals and moving their money back into the dollar, which is helping the currency bounce back.I was and remain of the belief that the dollar’s recent drop didn't actually match the reality of the US economy, so this recovery makes sense.Moving forward, the dollar’s value will likely be driven by new economic reports and changes in interest rates rather than just rumors. For now, the expectation is that the dollar will continue to get stronger in the coming days as the market stabilizes. zoom_out_map For all market-moving economic releases and events, see the MarketPulse Economic Calendar. (click to enlarge) Chart of the Day - FTSE 100 From a technical perspective, the FTSE 100 index has broken back above the 100-day MA.The FTSE showed resilience last week in the face of a broad market selloff with the index holding comfortably above the 10000 point handle.This in my view is crucial as it keeps the bullish momentum intact.Looking to further upside potential and a four-hour candle close above the swing highs resting at 10273 is needed.A move lower from here may find support at the 200-day MA at the 10039 handle before the 10000 handle comes into focus.FTSE 100 Index Daily Chart, February 2, 2026 zoom_out_map Source: TradingView.com (click to enlarge) Safe Trading Week to All.Follow Zain on Twitter/X for Additional Market News and Insights @zvawda Opinions are the authors'; not necessarily that of OANDA Business Information & Services, Inc. or any of its affiliates, subsidiaries, officers or directors. The provided publication is for informational and educational purposes only.If you would like to reproduce or redistribute any of the content found on MarketPulse, an award winning forex, commodities and global indices analysis and news site service produced by OANDA Business Information & Services, Inc., please refer to the MarketPulse Terms of Use.Visit https://www.marketpulse.com/ to find out more about the beat of the global markets.© 2026 OANDA Business Information & Services Inc.

Deutsche Bank's report, authored by Jim Reid, highlights a major sell-off in Gold, with a decline of 8.95%, marking its largest daily drop since 2013. The report attributes this volatility to the nomination of Kevin Warsh as Fed Chair, which has raised hawkish expectations.

EUROPEAN SESSIONIn the European session, we will get the final PMIs for the UK and the major Eurozone economies. The market reacts the most to new information, so the Flash data is more important than the final PMIs. Therefore, unless we get big deviations, the market reaction will likely be muted. The data is also not going to change anything for the respective central banks.AMERICAN SESSIONIn the American session, the main highlight will be the US ISM Manufacturing PMI. The index is expected to tick higher to 48.5 vs 47.9 prior. The S&P Global US Manufacturing PMI rose a two-month high, with the agency noting that ouptut growth was the highest since last August, and new orders increased after falling in December. Employment growth meanwhile slipped to the lowest since last July and output prices increased.This month could be pivotal for Fed's rate cuts expectations as we will get many top tier data points with the NFP and CPI being the main highlights. I mentioned how the latest selloff in the US Dollar wasn't backed by the fundamentals but more by "technical" things. The market is now pricing 55 bps of easing by year-end which could be wrong if we start to get stronger data. In such a scenario, traders will trim their rate cut bets and the greenback will have the tailwind to erase last month's losses. If we get soft data, on the other hand, we can expect the dollar to remain on the backfoot although it's unlikely that we'll see the same momentum.CENTRAL BANK SPEAKERS11:45 GMT/06:45 ET - BoE's Breeden (dovish - voter)17:30 GMT/12:30 ET - Fed's Bostic (hawkish - non voter) This article was written by Giuseppe Dellamotta at investinglive.com.

Key takeaways Gold has entered a disorderly liquidation phase: Driven primarily by forced unwinding of leveraged long positions rather than a shift in Fed policy expectations.Margin hikes and order flows, not Fed politics, are the real catalyst: CME’s increase in gold and silver futures margin requirements sharply raised capital costs, choking off bullish risk appetite and triggering cascading sell-offs, while US 2-year yields signal no hawkish repricing.Near-term setup favours a tactical bounce, with clear risk levels: Gold is approaching the critical US$4,405 support, reinforced by multiple technical confluences and extreme volatility readings; a hold above this level opens scope for a minor mean-reversion rebound, while a break lower signals further downside. This is a follow-up analysis and an update of our prior report, “Chart alert: Gold has formed a medium-term blow-off top below $5,600,” published on 30 January 2026.The price actions of Gold (XAU/US) have staged the expected corrective decline on last Friday, 30 January 2026, to hit the second intermediate support at US$4,757 as highlighted.The yellow precious metal printed an intraday low at US$4,679 and closed the US session at US$4,895 on Friday, 30 January 2026, recording a daily loss of 9%, its steepest drop since 1983.Order flows are the main catalyst for the steep losses, not Kevin Warsh zoom_out_map Fig. 1: 2-YR US Treasury yield medium-term trend as of 2 Feb 2026 (Source: TradingView) Several media reports have highlighted that US President Trump’s official announcement to nominate ex-Fed governor Kevin Warsh as the new Fed Chair is likely the driver that triggered the rampant sell-off in gold and silver due to his past remarks on his preference for a smaller US Federal Reserve’s balance sheet, which may lead to an indirect tightening of liquidity conditions.However, the US Treasury market does not imply such a narrative that “Kevin Warsh is going to be a new hawkish Fed Chair”.The 2-year US Treasury yield, which is the most sensitive to the Fed’s monetary policy stance, did not trade higher last Friday; instead, it dropped by 4 basis points to close lower at 3.52%, and remained below the medium-term range resistance of 3.63% in place since 30 October 2025 (see Fig. 1).In today’s Asia session, 2 February 2026, Gold (XAU/USD) has continued to extend its losses by 9% to print an intraday low of US$4.402 at the time of writing due to a hike in metal futures margins announced by CME Group over the weekend.COMEX gold futures margins (1oz) are raised from 6 per cent to 8 per cent, while COMEX 5000 silver futures (SI) are set to increase to 15 per cent from 11 per cent.Hence, such increases in margin requirements are likely lead to a further unwinding of speculative long positions in Gold and Silver.Higher capital outlays to sustain or extend long positions abruptly choked off bullish risk appetite, unleashing a cascading liquidation in Gold (XAU/USD).Let's now look at the short-term technical chart to decipher the near-term (1 to 3 days) trajectoryShort-term trend (1 to 3 days): Minor mean reversion rebound after overextended decline zoom_out_map Fig. 2: Gold (XAU/USD) minor trend as of 2 Feb 2026 (Source: TradingView) Watch the US$4,405 key short-term pivotal support on Gold (XAU/USD). A clearance above US$4,742 (also the 20-day moving average) is likely to increase the odds of a minor mean reversion rebound towards the next intermediate resistances at US$4,942 and US$5,169 (also the 61.8% Fibonacci retracement of the steep decline from 26 January 2026 all-time high to 2 February 2026 intraday low) (see Fig. 2).However, a break and an hourly close below US$4,405 invalidates the minor bullish recovery scenario for a further extension of the corrective decline towards the next intermediate supports at US$4,285 and US$4,129.Key elements to support the short-term bullish bias The US$4,405 key short-term pivotal support is defined by a confluence of different elements that point to a similar level of around US$4,405; the 50-day moving average, the lower boundary of a medium-term ascending channel from 28 October 2025, and a Fibonacci extension of the current drop, measured from the current all-time high of 29 January 2026.Hourly Bollinger Bandwidth has spiked to an extreme 15.25, indicating a volatility climax and suggesting the recent price sell-off is overextended in the near term. Opinions are the authors'; not necessarily that of OANDA Business Information & Services, Inc. or any of its affiliates, subsidiaries, officers or directors. The provided publication is for informational and educational purposes only.If you would like to reproduce or redistribute any of the content found on MarketPulse, an award winning forex, commodities and global indices analysis and news site service produced by OANDA Business Information & Services, Inc., please refer to the MarketPulse Terms of Use.Visit https://www.marketpulse.com/ to find out more about the beat of the global markets.© 2026 OANDA Business Information & Services Inc.

The AUD/USD forecast edges to the downside despite a hotter inflation print as the yields fell sharply, suggesting only a single RBA hike in the near term. Trump’s nomination of Kevin Warsh as the next Fed Chair lifts the US dollar, as markets view the decision as less dovish. COT positioning suggests reduced AUD longs,... The post AUD/USD Forecast: RBA Decision vs Hawkish Fed Risks Cap Near-Term Upside appeared first on Forex Crunch.

If an RBA rate hike fuels Australian dollar strength, setups on AUD/JPY and GBP/AUD could start leaning in favor of the Aussie bulls.

USDJPY bulls limited the damage but still couldn't prevent a weekly loss even after Trump calmed the market by picking Kevin Warsh for new Fed Chair. In today's Elliott Wave analysis we discuss if buying this dip makes sense. To access this article you need to have an active subscription The post Elliott Wave Analysis of USDJPY – February 2nd, 2026 appeared first on EWM Interactive.

Payoneer has expanded its global payments platform with new local collection capabilities in Indonesia, alongside enhanced services in Mexico, as the fintech firm moves to strengthen support for small and medium-sized businesses operating across fast-growing trade corridors. The company said the additions will allow customers to receive funds from local buyers and e-commerce platforms more efficiently, reducing costs and improving access to regional markets.  Payoneer already enables businesses in more than 190 countries to operate globally, and local collection has become a core element of its offering. Indonesia, the largest e-commerce market in Southeast Asia, represents a significant growth opportunity.  Payoneer’s new capabilities will enable customers to collect payments directly from local marketplaces and businesses, improving foreign exchange control and access to one of the region’s most dynamic digital economies. In Mexico, Payoneer has enhanced its peso-denominated collection services, enabling global sellers to receive funds across multiple channels, including major marketplaces such as Amazon Mexico, Walmart, Mercado Libre and Shopee. Derek Green, Payoneer’s SVP of Treasury and Payment Services, said global trade continues to shift, and the company’s priority is supporting customers as they expand.  “By expanding our capabilities in critical markets like Mexico and Indonesia, we continue to empower our customers as they look to expand into fast-growing markets,” he remarked. The new services are being rolled out globally, with Payoneer planning further enhancements across Latin America and Asia Pacific through 2026. The post Payoneer Expands Local Collection Capabilities in Mexico and Indonesia appeared first on LeapRate.

Traders split over whether insurers’ retreat from FX hedging is help or hindrance

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When the markets are anxious “risk off sentiment” money flows tend to move toward the yen, Swiss franc and gold. Equity markets can be seen as an indicator of fear and greed. The U.S. equity markets sold off on Wednesday erasing gains for 2018. On Thursday the markets rebounded and closing higher and recovering Wednesday’s losses. On Friday, the equity markets moved down again sharply as the U.S. session got underway.   As price made a lower high early in the U.S. session, a short was taken in the USDJPY risking 13 pips for a potential 32 pips to our daily target at 111.75. Price moved down to our target and we closed the trade. Price gained further downside momentum and continued lower without us. As the U.S. equity markets began to pare some of their losses intraday, the pair reversed higher. The majors made uniformed moves today and the USD has been weaker once again. I’m curious as to whether the U.S. equity markets can recover to close positively today to end the week. If not, next week may start off ugly with negative sentiment and continued selling. Good luck with your trading and enjoy your weekend!

Best Futures Trading Platform for Mac Finding the best trading platform for Mac used to be a challenge. Most trading software was originally built for Windows; however, the landscape has changed significantly. Today, Mac traders can access powerful, browser-based trading platforms that offer professional tools, fast execution, and seamless performance on macOS devices. This guide covers the most reliable trading platforms for Mac, including the best futures trading platform for Mac, and explains which brokers integrate best with Apple devices. Furthermore, you will discover how each platform operates and why choosing the right combination can elevate your trading experience. Why Mac Traders Need a Compatible Trading Platform Mac devices are known for speed and stability. Even though this offers many advantages, not all trading platforms historically supported macOS. Because of this, traders needed workarounds. Fortunately, modern platforms now run directly through Safari or Chrome. As a result, Mac traders can experience professional charting, stable execution, and cross-device accessibility without installing additional software. In addition, most cloud-based platforms receive updates faster than desktop software, which means Mac users benefit from rapid improvements and fewer compatibility issues. 1. TradingView – The Best Trading Platform for Mac TradingView is widely considered the best trading platform for Mac, mainly because it runs entirely online. Therefore, it works instantly on any MacBook, iMac, or iPad without requiring installation or system adjustments. Access TradingView for Mac here. Why TradingView Is Ideal for Mac Traders TradingView performs exceptionally well in the browser; moreover, its interface is designed to load charts quickly and accurately. It includes professional features such as multi-timeframe analysis, smart drawing tools, alerts, and futures charting. In addition, it supports forex, indices, stocks, and crypto, making it extremely versatile. Because it is browser-based, TradingView is also one of the best futures trading platforms for Mac, especially when paired with a strong broker. Consequently, traders can benefit from both advanced charting and fast execution. 2. IC Markets – The Best Broker for Mac Traders A platform is important; however, a broker determines execution quality. IC Markets is one of the top brokers for Mac users because it integrates smoothly with both TradingView and MT5 WebTrader. Therefore, it delivers stable execution, ultra-tight spreads, and access to deep liquidity. Open IC Markets (Mac-compatible) here: Why IC Markets Works So Well on Mac IC Markets offers extremely low spreads, fast order execution, and strong liquidity. Furthermore, it supports futures-style CFD trading, which is ideal for Mac traders looking to trade indices, commodities, or currency futures. Because everything works through the browser, Mac users avoid compatibility problems entirely. In addition, IC Markets performs reliably during high-volatility events, which is essential for professional trading. 3. cTrader Web – Modern, Fast, and Mac-Friendly cTrader Web provides a clean, modern trading environment that loads quickly on any Mac device. It is designed for traders who want fast execution combined with a highly intuitive interface. Why Mac Traders Choose cTrader Web cTrader Web offers advanced charting, depth of market views, and one-click execution. Furthermore, it integrates perfectly with IC Markets, which ensures consistent performance. Since it runs entirely online, Mac traders benefit from immediate updates and high-speed functionality. In contrast to older desktop platforms, cTrader Web does not require installation or configuration, which makes it ideal for traders who want simplicity without sacrificing power. 4. MT5 WebTrader – Classic Trading Tools on Mac Although the desktop version of MetaTrader 5 no longer runs natively on macOS, the MT5 WebTrader version is fully compatible. This solution allows traders to use the traditional MT5 layout while accessing markets directly through Safari or Chrome. Benefits of MT5 WebTrader for Mac MT5 WebTrader supports forex and index trading, provides reliable order execution, and offers a familiar interface for seasoned traders. Moreover, when paired with IC Markets, it becomes a very stable environment for both intraday and swing trading. Consequently, many traders still prefer MT5 because of its straightforward workflow. Final Verdict: The Best Futures Trading Platform for Mac After comparing charting quality, platform stability, execution speed, and macOS compatibility, the following options deliver the best overall experience: Best Trading Platform for Mac TradingView — fast, browser-based, and equipped with professional tools for futures analysis. Best Broker for Mac Traders IC Markets — low spreads, fast execution, and seamless integration with all Mac-friendly platforms. Best Execution Platform for Mac cTrader Web — modern interface, fast execution, and ideal for intraday traders who prefer simplicity and precision. Together, these platforms and brokers create a powerful trading setup for any Mac user. Consequently, traders can access professional tools without switching to Windows or using virtual machines. FAQ – Trading Platforms for Mac What is the best trading platform for Mac? TradingView is the best trading platform for Mac due to its clean interface, browser compatibility, and professional charting features. What is the best futures trading platform for Mac? TradingView provides excellent futures charting, while IC Markets offers fast and reliable execution. Can you trade futures on a Mac? Yes. TradingView, MT5 WebTrader, and cTrader Web allow Mac users to analyze and trade futures-style markets without installation. Does MT5 work on Mac? Yes. MT5 WebTrader works smoothly in Safari and Chrome. Which broker is best for Mac traders? IC Markets offers the best combination of execution speed, low spreads, and Mac compatibility. Het bericht Best Futures Trading Platform for Mac verscheen eerst op theforexscalpers.

Cracker Barrel (CBRL) was down as much as 14% recently. …The post Cracker Barrel’s Rebrand Bust and the Next Wave of Applied AI Stocks appeared first on Market Traders Daily.