Monthly Archives: February 2026
NBC’s Katsoras and Paquet say Supreme Court and White House actions reset tariffs, broadly steadying the dollar outlook
Written on February 23, 2026 at 8:11 pm, by davin
Court cut tariffs briefly, but the President quickly restored pressure with a 15% blanket tariff. Expect protectionism, volatility hedges, strong USD, MXN/CAD edge, supply-chain losers, and aircraft winners. – vtmarketsmy.com
In December, the US Chicago Fed National Activity Index rose to 0.18 from -0.04
Written on February 23, 2026 at 8:11 pm, by davin
Chicago Fed activity rebounded to 0.18 in December, signaling momentum. But hotter 3.3% CPI and rising jobless claims cloud the outlook—fueling rate and market volatility and trading opportunities. – vtmarketsmy.com
Rabobank’s Jane Foley says tariff uncertainty is boosting the Swiss franc, strengthening its G10 safe-haven status amid SNB dilemmas
Written on February 23, 2026 at 8:10 pm, by davin
Swiss franc surges to G10’s top amid tariff anxiety—classic safe-haven demand. Rabobank warns export pain, sees small odds of negative SNB rates, possible intervention, and cuts EUR/CHF 3‑month forecast to 0.91. – vtmarketsmy.com
In London, futures diverge: the S&P leads above CP/POC, the Dow sits below the pivot, and the Nasdaq tests lower-gate support
Written on February 23, 2026 at 7:11 pm, by davin
US index futures split before New York: S&P leads above key pivots, Nasdaq lags below pivot near support, Dow stuck at decision level. Watch early gate reactions; consider long ES, short NQ. – vtmarketsmy.com
MUFG’s Derek Halpenny says Takaichi’s priorities and smaller supplementary budgets could slow the Bank of Japan’s gradual tightening
Written on February 23, 2026 at 7:11 pm, by davin
Japan’s shift to investment-led budgets could trigger Bank of Japan tightening. MUFG sees a 70% April 28 hike chance, boosted by FY2026 budget approval, board changes, and rising yen volatility opportunities. – vtmarketsmy.com
EUR/GBP stays range-bound, capped near 0.8750, as investors await Eurozone CPI and German GDP data
Written on February 23, 2026 at 7:10 pm, by davin
EUR/GBP can’t crack 0.8750—will inflation finally spark a breakout? Eurozone data and Germany GDP loom, as a hawkish ECB meets weak German growth and a cautious, cut-wary BoE. – vtmarketsmy.com
Bhargava says Asia gains overall as the US shifts from reciprocal IEEPA tariffs to a flat Section 122 surcharge
Written on February 23, 2026 at 7:10 pm, by davin
Supreme Court-driven shift to a flat 15% Section 122 surcharge cut tariffs on Asian exporters—especially China and India—boosting apparel, toys, and machinery competitiveness, shaping equity, options, and currency trades. – vtmarketsmy.com
Safe-haven demand lifts silver to near $86.50, up 2.35% amid US trade uncertainty and Iran tensions
Written on February 23, 2026 at 6:11 pm, by davin
Silver surged to $86.50 as tariffs ruled illegal, Trump floated new 15% global duties, the dollar slid, and Fed cuts loomed. Middle East risks spiked volatility, creating options opportunities despite industrial-demand headwinds. – vtmarketsmy.com
Sterling weakens against major peers after BoE’s Alan Taylor signals a dovish rate outlook in the European session
Written on February 23, 2026 at 6:10 pm, by davin
Pound tumbles as BoE’s Alan Taylor hints at 2–3 more rate cuts, citing weaker growth and easing inflation. Markets price further easing; GBP/USD slides, while resilient US jobs keep the dollar firm. – vtmarketsmy.com
Taylor says UK services inflation eased more slowly than desired, though progress towards normalisation remains reasonably paced
Written on February 23, 2026 at 6:10 pm, by davin
UK services inflation is cooling—but not enough. BoE’s Taylor flags sticky prices, weak productivity, and rising job risks, hinting at 2–3 rate cuts, capping Sterling and boosting volatility. – vtmarketsmy.com
