Key takeaways RBA may maintain hawkish stance: Australia’s core CPI rose to 3.4% y/y in January, above expectations. Markets are now pricing another hike in May, reinforcing a tightening bias.Yield spread favours AUD strength: The Australia–US short-term rate spread has widened sharply, supporting further AUD appreciation. The Aussie is already the best-performing major currency YTD, up 5.8% against the US dollar.Bullish technical setup intact: AUD/USD has formed a minor bullish base at the 20-day moving average. A break above 0.7110 opens room toward 0.7140–0.7210, while 0.7020 remains key support. The RBA, Australia’s central bank, was the first developed nation central bank (other than the Bank of Japan) to kickstart a potential interest rate hike cycle, raising its cash policy rate by 25 basis points to 3.85% on 3 February 2026.The decision marked the first-rate hike since November 2023, underscoring renewed cost pressures that intensified in H2 2025. Today’s hotter-than-expected core CPI data for January, which recorded a 3.4% year-on-year rise versus 3.3% y/y consensus and above December 2025’s print of 3.3%, is likely to strengthen the hawkish vibes in the RBA.The latest 3.4% y/y print in Australia’s core CPI is the highest since September 2024 and continued to stay “stubbornly” above RBA’s inflation target band of 2-3%.Short-term interest rate futures in Australia have started to price in a further rate hike by the RBA in May to increase the cash rate to 4.1%.Monthly implied future policy interest rate curves spread suggest a hawkish RBA Fig. 1: AU/US monthly implied future policy interest rate curves spread as of 25 Feb 2026 (Source: MacroMicro) In addition, the spread between the monthly implied future policy interest rate curves for Australia and the US (derived from short-term interest rate futures) has risen steadily and shifted upwards (see Fig. 1).The spread for May 2026 is now at 0.52%, a widening of 29 bps from 0.23% recorded three months ago. The current upward trajectory of Australia’s short-term interest rate premium over the United States’ short-term interest rates is likely to support a further strengthening of the Australian dollar against the greenback, which has a year-to-date positive return of 5.8% as of 25 February 2026 at the time of writing, the best-performing major currency against the US dollar.Let us now focus on the short-term (1 to 3 days) technical trend and key levels to watch on the AUD/USD.AUD/USD – Minor bullish basing has formed after a retest on the 20-day MA Fig. 2: AUD/USD minor trend as of 25 Feb 2026 (Source: TradingView) The recent retest on the 20-day moving average on 20 February and 24 February has formed a potential minor bullish basing formation for the AUD/USD, with its neckline resistance at 0.7110 (see Fig. 2).Bullish bias with 0.7035/0.7020 key short-term pivotal support on the AUD/USD. A clearance above 0.7110 sees the next intermediate resistances coming in at 0.7140, 0.7175, and 0.7210.On the flip side, failure to hold at 0.7020 and an hourly close below it negates the bullish tone to see another round of minor corrective decline sequence unfolding to expose the next intermediate supports at 0.6980 and 0.6907/0.6890.Key elements to support the bullish bias on AUD/USD Minor bullish basing formation at the 20-day moving average.The hourly RSI momentum indicator of the AUD/USD has shaped a “higher low” above the 50 level, which suggests a potential resurgence of short-term bullish momentum. 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.

Cryptocurrencies haven't caught a break in the past four months.Risk appetite has taken a U-turn lower after a marvellous mid-2025. From the conclusion of the 12-Day War to the layoffs fears in October, Digital assets looked invincible. With Bitcoin having breached the $100,000 level, Ethereum began a shocking move higher from $2,100 to $4,950, setting new records.Now, looking at these prices, it seems as if we were talking about some antique trends. But for those unaccustomed to the asset class, this is what Crypto does. It stays dormant, makes you forget, then it builds momentum, and suddenly it explodes higher. After a while, everybody talks about Crypto:Financial revolutions, new countries adopt them as their reserve currencies, and the end of the Fiat currency system as we know it: new records are forged, headlines come by the millions, grandmothers start buying, and suddenly it's all over.It is typical to see corrections of 50% to 75% in this very volatile Market, as seen in the 2013, 2018, and 2021 crashes. It wipes out doubters, leveraged traders, and dodgy projects. But the dreams of higher levels are sensical. Following these huge corrections, barring systemic rewirings, there has been historic runs. A reminder that Bitcoin is still up 300% since its Summer 2022 bottom – compared with Nasdaq, which is up a (still impressive) 130% in the same period. The magnitude of moves in Crypto is just that elevated, hence corrections tend to be quite brutal. Current Session in Cryptos – January 24, 2026 (10:11). Source: FInviz Turning to today, the atmosphere in the Cryptocurrency space is still quite sour. A general trend in Markets, particularly in Stock Markets, is that they are unable to generate traction, and Tech sectors are seeing bloodshed.So is it soon over? To me, we are just entering a phase of broad Market turmoil. Does Crypto still have much more to correct? The entire space lost more than 50% of its valuation. It is now much less overbought than it was, but knowing that they still stand at the extreme of the risk-spectrum, potentially, yes.However, the real question is how much more. Predicting a bottom is a rough task. Luckily, investors and traders don't need a crystal ball to make money.One potential strategy is to wait for key numbers to place small, progressive trades and investments. The last drop to $60,000 preceded a swift rebound the past few weeks, coinciding with a close to 50% retracement, and it is getting close again.Dip-buyers could also wait for $55,000; $50,000, and you get the idea for the rest. The most important thing is to make your own investment game plan, spread your entries, and avoid getting too scared by obsessively seeking certainty on the Internet when no one knows what's coming. That's how, eventually, when the bearish wave is gone, you will have caught some decent averages on your entries and can wait for better days to take profits or flex on those who threw the towel in.Let's dive right into the Daily Charts with technical levels for Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH). Discover:NVIDIA (NVDA) Q4 Earnings Preview: High stakes for the AI standard-bearerPrecious metals breakout: Silver (XAG/USD) and Gold (XAU/USD) tariffs outlookGBP/JPY marks a major top – Will it revert to 200.00? FX Technical AnalysisBitcoin (BTC) Daily Chart and Technical Levels Bitcoin (BTC) Daily Chart, February 24, 2026 – Source: TradingView Bitcoin is evolving well within a large bearish downward channel. What bulls will want to see is a large consolidation that holds all the way to its upper bound before a real breakout could occur – However that remains quite far for now.In the immediate situation, there are two scenarios emerging:Reaching the $60,000 to $63,000 Key Support, a double bottom could happen here and would give the hand to bulls for the time being.A slow grind lower around here would break recent lows and head to $55,000, which is the low of the bear channel and also coincides with the measured move target from October high. This would provide interesting entry levels.Levels of interest for BTC trading:Support Levels:$60,000 to $63,000 Main 2024 support (testing)$59,935 February Lows$52,000 to $58,000 Next support and 200-Week MA ($55,000 Mid-point)$40,000 Mid-2024 breakout supportResistance Levels:$70,000 Short-term momentum Pivot$75,000 Key long-term Pivot (acting as resistance)$80,000 to $83,000 mini-resistance (50-Day MA)$90,000 to $95,000 Pivotal ResistanceCurrent ATH Resistance $124,000 to $126,000Ethereum (ETH) Daily Chart and Technical Levels Ethereum (ETH) Daily Chart, February 24, 2026 – Source: TradingView Ethereum is forming a similar consolidation/hesitation at its recent support, opening the door for two scenarios:A rebound at immediate support ($1,700 to $1,800) would provide a strong hand to the bulls with a double bottom.A progressive drop would break support and head back towards the 2025 lows at around $1,500 which would coincide with Channel lows and provide optimal entries.Levels of interest for ETH trading:Support Levels:$1,700 to $1,800 Pre-Bounce 2025 Key Support (testing)$1,744 February 6 lows$1,380 to $1,500 2025 Support2025 Lows $1,384Resistance Levels:$2,100 to $2,300 June War support now Key Pivot$2,500 to $2,700 June 2025 Key Support now Resistance (Channel Highs)$3,000 to $3,200 Major momentum Pivot (Test of the $3,000)$4,950 Current new All-time highs 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.

Analysts project Q4 revenue of $65.6B–$65.7B and EPS of $1.50–$1.52, with next-quarter guidance (expected at $71.7B) being the primary catalyst for the stock.Markets focus is primarily on the supply/production timeline of the next-generation Blackwell chips and the potential "transitory" pressure on the 75% adjusted gross margin due to the ramp-up.With a significant influence on global indices and contributing 15% to the total market return over the last year, NVIDIA's results are a barometer for the entire tech sector.Most Read: Tariff "Plan B": Why the market Is ignoring the looming 150-Day clock on new import taxes, Gold up 2.4%The chip giant, NVIDIA (NVDA), will report its fourth-quarter earnings on February 25 after the market closes.As the primary engine of the artificial intelligence revolution, the company’s results have become a barometer for the entire tech sector. However, after months of sideways price action, the market’s focus has shifted from simple "beats" to the long-term sustainability of AI capital expenditures.The current valuation and market influence of NVIDIA have reached a zenith that dictates the direction of global indices. With an outsized weighting of nearly 8% in the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust and 7% in the Morningstar US Market Index, the corporation's performance has become synonymous with the health of the technology sector.In the last twelve months alone, NVIDIA contributed 15% of the total market return, a level of concentration that presents both a testament to its success and a systemic risk to the broader equity landscape.What the Street Expects: The numbers Analysts have set an aggressive bar for NVIDIA this quarter, though the company’s history of "beat and raise" reports suggests the "whisper numbers" are even higher.Revenue: Consensus estimates sit at $65.6 billion to $65.7 billion, representing a roughly 67% increase year-over-year. Source: Data from LSEG, Yahoo Finance. Earnings Per Share (EPS): Analysts expect $1.50 to $1.52, up significantly from the $0.89 reported in the same period last year. Source: Data from LSEG, Yahoo Finance. Next-Quarter Guidance: Morningstar and Forex.com emphasize that guidance for the April quarter (expected around $71.7 billion) will likely be the stock’s primary mover.Key investor focus areas The Blackwell Production RampThe transition to the next-generation Blackwell chips is the most critical narrative. Demand is essentially "unlimited," so the focus shifts to supply. Investors will look for commentary on production yields, shipping timelines, and any potential bottlenecks in the CoWoS (Chip-on-Wafer-on-Substrate) packaging process. Any indication that Blackwell is shipping ahead of schedule could trigger a bullish breakout.Data Center Diversity and Hyperscaler SpendingWhile the "Big Four" (Alphabet, Amazon, Meta, and Microsoft) continue to pour billions into AI infrastructure, there are growing fears of "digestion", a period where these giants slow spending to integrate existing capacity. Investors will scrutinize whether NVIDIA’s growth is becoming more broad-based, reaching "sovereign AI" (national governments) and smaller enterprises, which would mitigate the risk of a slowdown in mega-cap spending.Gross Margin TrajectoryManagement has guided for an adjusted gross margin of approximately 75%. Investors will watch if the costs associated with the Blackwell ramp-up create "transitory" pressure on these margins. A structural dip below 75% could signal that the era of peak pricing power is beginning to normalize, potentially weighing on the stock’s premium valuation.The Geopolitical and Regulatory LandscapeCommentary regarding China remains a wildcard. NVIDIA has been navigating U.S. export restrictions by developing region-specific chips like the H20. Any updates on regulatory approvals for newer models or the recovery of market share in China will be closely monitored.Potential implications for the NVIDIA share price Despite the fundamental strength, NVDA stock has been consolidating in a tight range between $170 and $195 for nearly six months. This "sideways" movement suggests a stalemate between bulls who see further AI expansion and bears who fear a cyclical peak.The Bull Case: If NVIDIA beats on the top and bottom lines and provides a robust Blackwell-driven outlook, it could break above the $195–$200 resistance level, potentially retesting all-time highs near $210. This would likely ignite a "halo effect" across the broader semiconductor sector (AMD, TSMC) and the S&P 500.The Bear Case: The "bar keeps getting higher." If management provides conservative guidance or hints at supply chain constraints lasting through 2026, the stock could test support at $170. A break below this level could lead to a deeper pullback toward the $145–$150 range as the "AI bubble" narrative gains traction.NVIDIA (NVDA) Daily Chart, February 24, 2026 Source: TradingView Conclusion For NVIDIA, "good" may no longer be good enough. With options pricing suggesting a move of roughly +/- 5.5%, the market is braced for volatility. Investors should look past the headline EPS and focus on the Blackwell delivery schedule and gross margin stability. These factors will determine if NVIDIA can revive the "AI trade" or if the market will continue to rotate into value-oriented sectors.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.