30% of our retail client accounts were profitable in the last quarter*. Contracts for Difference (CFDs) are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. You should not trade with money you cannot afford to lose.
Middle East supply risk is a key driver, with oil and the dollar breaking higher on inflation and safe-haven flows, gold and the JPN225 trying to rally against those same yield and dollar headwinds, and the yen sitting on intervention watch above 163.
Dollar strength pushes the pair close to new multi-year highs, but rising South Korean inflation strengthening the case for BoK hikes could lead to pullbacks.
JPN225 drops as strong GDP could embolden the BoJ to hike rates to combat energy-driven inflation, but economic resilience and renewed Middle East resolution hopes support the rally.
The pair posts a steep decline today, raising fresh intervention speculation after last week's reported action, but that may not be enough to provide lasting support for the yen.
A weak US labour report and a surge in oil prices toward $119 have revived fears that financial markets may be entering a stagflationary environment of slowing growth alongside persistent inflation.
Deflation risks linger as CPI cooled in January, underscoring weak consumption, but efforts to spur demand and contain price competition are starting to make a dent.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 hit record highs as a decisive election outcome lifted political uncertainty and boosted investor confidence. The rally reflects optimism about pro-growth policy direction and a broader re-pricing of risk across markets, not just technical momentum.
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* The percentage of our retail client accounts that were profitable in each of the previous most recent quarters was: Quarter 2, 2026: 30% | Quarter 1, 2026: 40% | Quarter 4, 2025: 49% | Quarter 3, 2025: 37%. These figures are provided for transparency purposes only and do not constitute an indication of future performance or results.
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Any opinions, news, research, analyses, prices, other information, or links to third-party sites contained on this website are provided on an "as-is" basis, as general market commentary and do not constitute investment advice. The market commentary has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research, and it is therefore not subject to any prohibition on dealing ahead of dissemination. Although this commentary is not produced by an independent source, Friedberg Direct, FXCM or its affiliates takes all sufficient steps to eliminate or prevent any conflicts of interests arising out of the production and dissemination of this communication. The employees of Friedberg Direct and FXCM commit to acting in the clients' best interests and represent their views without misleading, deceiving, or otherwise impairing the clients' ability to make informed investment decisions. For more information about the Friedberg Direct's internal organizational and administrative arrangements for the prevention of conflicts, please refer to the Firms' Managing Conflicts Policy. Please ensure that you read and understand our Full Disclaimer and Liability provision concerning the foregoing Information, which can be accessed here.**