The United States API weekly crude oil stock dropped to 1.7 million barrels on December 26, down from 2.4 million barrels. This decrease points to lower reserves as the year ends. Market activities include movements in currency pairs, like the EUR/USD, which fell below 1.1750 after the Federal Reserve released their minutes. The GBP/USD is struggling to stay above 1.3500 due to fluctuating holiday trading conditions.

Gold Prices And Cryptocurrency Market Trends

Gold prices remain steady above $4,350 per troy ounce, showing resilience despite holiday market changes. Ethereum is holding above $2,900, even with increased selling pressure. The Exchange Netflow shows more deposits than withdrawals, with 400k ETH coming in. The economic outlook for advanced economies in 2026 and 2027 looks stable, with optimism carried over from 2025. The cryptocurrency market also anticipates continued volatility due to possible regulatory changes and tech advancements. In 2025, discussions include the best forex brokers, emphasizing low spreads, high leverage, and markets like Latin America and Indonesia. These brokers offer diverse trading options and tailored services to fit different investor needs. With crude oil inventories down to 1.7 million barrels, we see signs of stronger demand. This decline, along with ongoing OPEC+ production discipline in 2025, hints at potential price increases. Traders might find call options on WTI or Brent for early 2026 valuable if supply tightness continues.

Federal Reserve Minutes And Currency Market Movements

The Federal Reserve minutes show a dovish approach, with officials open to more rate cuts in the new year. Historically, as seen in late 2023, a Fed pivot has weakened the US dollar, causing the DXY index to drop over 2% in the month after the last increase. We expect a similar situation now, making long positions on dollar-priced assets like gold more appealing. Currently, we are experiencing thin holiday trading volume, leading major currency pairs to move sideways. The EUR/USD is below 1.1750, and the GBP/USD stays under 1.3500, reflecting a lack of strong direction. Be cautious with large bets, as low liquidity can cause sharp price movements on minor news. Gold remains above $4,350 per ounce, showing remarkable stability despite the dovish news from the Fed. This steady price is likely supported by ongoing central bank buying, with global gold reserves increasing by over 800 tonnes according to recent data. Selling puts below the current price could be an effective strategy for collecting premiums while betting on strong support. The economic outlook for 2026 appears solid, building on this year’s resilience. With the Fed likely to lower rates, the environment is becoming favorable for equities, despite some temporary sector weakness in the Dow. Buying call spreads on major indices like the S&P 500 can be a way to limit risk while positioning for a possible rally in the new year. In the crypto market, Ethereum’s ability to hold the $2,900 level amid heavy selling shows strong underlying support. This is reinforced by positive regulatory changes and the increased tokenization of real-world assets we saw in 2025. This technical support level offers a chance to sell cash-secured puts or start long positions, anticipating a rebound as market activity picks up after the holidays. Create your live VT Markets account and start trading now.

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