Oil continued its roller coaster ride Wednesday, giving back much of its gains from the last 3 trading sessions. Trader, Steve Bobbitt joins Merlin to offer his insights into why this extreme volatility is happening and why it will persist. Steve also offers a forecast for the bottom in oil! The duo also look at the Euro, and the US equity market position going forward.
Editors’ Picks
EUR/USD gathers strength above 1.1750 as Fed rate cut prospects pressure US Dollar
The EUR/USD pair trades in positive territory around 1.1775 during the early Asian session on Monday. The prospect of a US Federal Reserve rate cut in 2026 weighs on the US Dollar against the Euro. Markets brace for US President Donald Trump to nominate a Fed chair to replace Jerome Powell, whose term ends in May.
GBP/USD edges lower near 0.7400, eyes Fed rate cut outlook
GBP/USD edges lower after a gap-up open, trading around 0.7410 during the Asian hours on Monday. However, the pair may gain ground as the US Dollar faces challenges, which could be attributed to growing expectations of two more rate cuts by the Federal Reserve in 2026.
USD/JPY dips near 156.00 as BoJ hints at 2026 policy tightening
USD/JPY loses ground after registering modest gains in the previous session, trading around 156.20 during the Asian hours on Monday. The pair weakens after the Bank of Japan’s Summary of Opinions from the December policy meeting reinforced expectations of continued tightening in 2026, supporting Japanese Yen stabilization, sustaining upward pressure on JGB yields, and reducing the risk of abrupt policy shifts.
Editors’ Picks
USD/JPY dips near 156.00 as BoJ hints at 2026 policy tightening
USD/JPY loses ground after registering modest gains in the previous session, trading around 156.20 during the Asian hours on Monday. The pair weakens after the Bank of Japan’s Summary of Opinions from the December policy meeting reinforced expectations of continued tightening in 2026, supporting Japanese Yen stabilization, sustaining upward pressure on JGB yields, and reducing the risk of abrupt policy shifts.
EUR/USD gathers strength above 1.1750 as Fed rate cut prospects pressure US Dollar
The EUR/USD pair trades in positive territory around 1.1775 during the early Asian session on Monday. The prospect of a US Federal Reserve rate cut in 2026 weighs on the US Dollar against the Euro. Markets brace for US President Donald Trump to nominate a Fed chair to replace Jerome Powell, whose term ends in May.
Gold Price Annual Forecast: 2026 could see new record-highs but a 2025-like rally is unlikely Premium
Gold hit multiple new record highs throughout 2025. Trade-war fears, geopolitical instability and monetary easing in major economies were the main drivers behind Gold’s rally.
US Dollar Price Annual Forecast: 2026 set to be a year of transition, not capitulation Premium
The US Dollar (USD) enters the new year at a crossroads. After several years of sustained strength driven by US growth outperformance, aggressive Federal Reserve (Fed) tightening, and recurrent episodes of global risk aversion, the conditions that underpinned broad-based USD appreciation are beginning to erode, but not collapse.
Bitcoin Price Annual Forecast: BTC holds long-term bullish structure heading into 2026
Bitcoin (BTC) is wrapping up 2025 as one of its most eventful years, defined by unprecedented institutional participation, major regulatory developments, and extreme price volatility.
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