The expectation of the end of the pandemic in the medium-term horizon leads the stock indexes of the world's major stock exchanges either to the pre-health crisis price levels or to new highs.

However, although stocks and indices are moving higher, the economic collapse, given the damage caused by the pandemic and despite the positive expectations for the end of the health crisis, creates uncertainty. As a result, investors will increasingly focus on the stocks and values of countries that, as the upward trend continues their prices will expand higher than their competitors, while in the event of a downturn they will record the smallest losses.

There is a large set of variables that lead to the selection of these stocks and values of countries that have the characteristic to behave better in upward trends, while they have defensive behaviour in cases of falling prices.

One of the most critical of these variables concerns the research of corporate stocks and the values of countries that are considered Leaders.

Indeed, leading companies and countries behave better than others in times of upheaval, while in volatile times and recession they become a safe haven for investors, and therefore, although they suffer losses, they move defensively offering relative protection.

To find the countries, companies and products that climb the ranking pyramid to reach the leadership level, it is necessary to explore the five different levels at which it is judged whether a country, company, or product can really be considered a Leader. 

These five levels are as follows:

  1. Positional Level

  2. Permissible Level

  3. Efficient Level

  4. Development Level

  5. Leadership Level

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1. Positional level. A company, a product or a country is at the “Positional Level” when people follow them not because they are satisfied but because there are no alternatives. At this level, people spend, invest, and support the least on these companies, products, and countries.

2. Permission level. A company, a product, a country reaches the “Permission Level” when people follow them because they want to, having established a strong relationship with them. This is because a country, a company, or a product meets the needs and desires of the people. This level is achieved when for long time leaders listen, observe, and learn from the people associated with them.

3. Productive level. A country, a company or a product reaches the "Productive Level" as people support them because they trust their efficiency and their innovative approach. So, people are motivated by the attraction of creativity and momentum that is created. 

4. Development level. A company, a product, or a country reaches the "Development level" when people through a country, a company, or a product, develop themselves or their activities while increasing the capacity of the field in which they operate.

5. Pinnacle level. The “Pinnacle level” is the highest level in the leadership pyramid since people follow a country, a company, or a product because of its existence. For what they have already offered and continue to offer to people, community, and humanity.

Obviously, the fifth level is the optimal level that everyone wants to reach. At this level, countries, companies, and products are leaders not because of their power, but because of their ability to empower others to become the next leaders in their field.

Former US President Ronald Reagan confirms this with his words: “The greatest leader is not necessarily the one who does the greatest things. He is the one that gets the people to do the greatest things.”

Leading countries, companies and products are the ones that grow faster and often lead and act in a strong environment. By investing in such countries, companies and products, you invest in those who make a difference, that is, in the leaders who positively influence people, the economy and the market, while offering an environment of stability and consistency.

Thus, it is more than obvious that an investment will be more positive and more protective when it reflects the concept of the highest level of leadership.


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Editors’ Picks

EUR/USD tests nine-day EMA support near 1.1850

EUR/USD tests nine-day EMA support near 1.1850

EUR/USD inches lower during the Asian hours on Monday, trading around 1.1870 at the time of writing. The 14-day Relative Strength Index momentum indicator at 56 stays above the midline, confirming improving momentum. RSI has cooled from prior overbought readings but stabilizes above 50, suggesting dips could stay limited before buyers reassert control.

GBP/USD flat lines as traders await key UK macro data and FOMC minutes

GBP/USD flat lines as traders await key UK macro data and FOMC minutes

The GBP/USD pair kicks off a new week on a subdued note and oscillates in a narrow range, just below mid-1.3600s, during the Asian session. Moreover, the mixed fundamental backdrop warrants some caution for aggressive traders as the market focus now shifts to this week's important releases from the UK and the US.

USD/JPY stays firm around 153.00 after Japan's Q4 GDP miss

USD/JPY stays firm around 153.00 after Japan's Q4 GDP miss

USD/JPY kicks off the new week on a positive note as Japan's weak Q4 GDP growth tempers bets for an immediate BoJ rate hike and undermines the Japanese Yen. Investors, however, seem convinced that the BoJ will stick to its policy normalization path amid hopes that PM Takaichi's policies will boost the Japanese economy. In contrast, cooling US consumer inflation reaffirmed bets for more Fed rate cuts in 2026, which acts as a headwind for the US Dollar and should cap the currency pair.


Editors’ Picks

EUR/USD tests nine-day EMA support near 1.1850

EUR/USD tests nine-day EMA support near 1.1850

EUR/USD inches lower during the Asian hours on Monday, trading around 1.1870 at the time of writing. The 14-day Relative Strength Index momentum indicator at 56 stays above the midline, confirming improving momentum. RSI has cooled from prior overbought readings but stabilizes above 50, suggesting dips could stay limited before buyers reassert control.

GBP/USD flat lines as traders await key UK macro data and FOMC minutes

GBP/USD flat lines as traders await key UK macro data and FOMC minutes

The GBP/USD pair kicks off a new week on a subdued note and oscillates in a narrow range, just below mid-1.3600s, during the Asian session. Moreover, the mixed fundamental backdrop warrants some caution for aggressive traders as the market focus now shifts to this week's important releases from the UK and the US.

Gold slides below $5,000 amid USD uptick and positive risk tone; downside seems limited

Gold slides below $5,000 amid USD uptick and positive risk tone; downside seems limited

Gold attracts fresh sellers at the start of a new week and reverses a part of Friday's strong move up of over $150 from sub-$4,900 levels. The commodity slides back below the $5,000 psychological mark during the Asian session, though the downside potential seems limited amid a combination of supporting factors.

Bitcoin, Ethereum and Ripple consolidate within key ranges as selling pressure eases

Bitcoin, Ethereum and Ripple consolidate within key ranges as selling pressure eases

Bitcoin and Ethereum prices have been trading sideways within key ranges following the massive correction. Meanwhile, XRP recovers slightly, breaking above the key resistance zone. The top three cryptocurrencies hint at a potential short-term recovery, with momentum indicators showing fading bearish signs.

Global inflation watch: Signs of cooling services inflation

Global inflation watch: Signs of cooling services inflation

Realized inflation landed close to expectations in January, as negative base effects weighed on the annual rates. Remaining sticky inflation is largely explained by services, while tariff-driven goods inflation remains limited even in the US.

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