The Federal Reserve is on the verge of raising rates for the first time in 9 years! What will the impacts be, and how can you position your portfolio to reap the biggest rewards? Tune in to find out how long term investors should embrace these upcoming market changes. Darek and Merlin also look at listener questions regarding gap protection and employee sponsored 401k programs.
Editors’ Picks
EUR/USD rises to near 1.1650 amid dovish Fed expectations
EUR/USD edges higher after registering gains in the previous six successive sessions, trading around 1.1650 during the Asian hours on Monday. The pair appreciates as the US Dollar struggles amid dovish Federal Reserve expectations. Friday’s slower-than-expected US jobs growth suggests the US central bank could hold interest rates steady later this month.
GBP/USD rebounds from three-week low, eyes mid-1.3400s as Fed concerns weigh on USD
The GBP/USD pair attracts some buyers near a technically significant 200-day Simple Moving Average (SMA) and recovers slightly from a nearly three-week low, touched during the Asian session on Monday. Spot prices, for now, seem to have snapped a four-day losing streak and currently trade around the 1.3435 region, up 0.20% for the day.
USD/JPY turns south toward 157.50 amid risk aversion
USD/JPY reverses course and comes under selling pressure, heading toward 157.50 in the Asian session on Monday. Looming geopolitical risks and concerns over the Fed's independence offset renewed Japanese political tensions, underpinning the safe-haven Japanese Yen at the expense of the US Dollar.
Editors’ Picks
Gold tests $4,600, then retreats despite geopolitical, Fed woes
Gold retreats from fresh record highs of $4,601 in the Asian session on Monday. Reports that US President Donald Trump is weighing a series of potential military options in Iran fuel the risk of a further escalation of geopolitical tensions will likely keep Gold underpinned despite the latest profit-taking pullback.
AUD/USD retakes 0.6700 as USD slips on Fed's autonomy concerns
AUD/USD is re-attempting 0.6700 in Monday's Asian trading, helped by a fresh decline in the US Dollar as concerns over the Fed's independence intensify. Further, hawkish RBA expectations remain supportive of the Aussie. However, geopolitical risks-led softer risk tone could limit the pait's upside.
USD/JPY turns south toward 157.50 amid risk aversion
USD/JPY reverses course and comes under selling pressure, heading toward 157.50 in the Asian session on Monday. Looming geopolitical risks and concerns over the Fed's independence offset renewed Japanese political tensions, underpinning the safe-haven Japanese Yen at the expense of the US Dollar.
Week ahead: US CPI might challenge the geopolitics-boosted Dollar
Geopolitics may try to steal the limelight from US data. A possible US Supreme Court ruling on tariffs could dictate market movements. Dollar strength might be tested if investors refocus on Fed expectations. A crammed data calendar next week, US CPI comes on Tuesday; Fedspeak to intensify. Euro weakness persists, lingering risk of deterioration in US-EU relations.
2026 economic and market outlook
As an aggregate, key economic indicators point towards the global economy growing further in out 2026 Economic and Market outlook. In particular, the G20 countries, which account for roughly 80% of the total global GDP are projected to grow by 2.9% next year.
RECOMMENDED LESSONS
Making money in forex is easy if you know how the bankers trade!
I’m often mystified in my educational forex articles why so many traders struggle to make consistent money out of forex trading. The answer has more to do with what they don’t know than what they do know. After working in investment banks for 20 years many of which were as a Chief trader its second knowledge how to extract cash out of the market.
5 Forex News Events You Need To Know
In the fast moving world of currency markets where huge moves can seemingly come from nowhere, it is extremely important for new traders to learn about the various economic indicators and forex news events and releases that shape the markets. Indeed, quickly getting a handle on which data to look out for, what it means, and how to trade it can see new traders quickly become far more profitable and sets up the road to long term success.
Top 10 Chart Patterns Every Trader Should Know
Chart patterns are one of the most effective trading tools for a trader. They are pure price-action, and form on the basis of underlying buying and selling pressure. Chart patterns have a proven track-record, and traders use them to identify continuation or reversal signals, to open positions and identify price targets.
7 Ways to Avoid Forex Scams
The forex industry is recently seeing more and more scams. Here are 7 ways to avoid losing your money in such scams: Forex scams are becoming frequent. Michael Greenberg reports on luxurious expenses, including a submarine bought from the money taken from forex traders. Here’s another report of a forex fraud. So, how can we avoid falling in such forex scams?
What Are the 10 Fatal Mistakes Traders Make
Trading is exciting. Trading is hard. Trading is extremely hard. Some say that it takes more than 10,000 hours to master. Others believe that trading is the way to quick riches. They might be both wrong. What is important to know that no matter how experienced you are, mistakes will be part of the trading process.
The challenge: Timing the market and trader psychology
Successful trading often comes down to timing – entering and exiting trades at the right moments. Yet timing the market is notoriously difficult, largely because human psychology can derail even the best plans. Two powerful emotions in particular – fear and greed – tend to drive trading decisions off course.