WTI traded near $97.20 a barrel on Thursday, down 1.68% after an intraday high of $100.15. Prices fell as traders weighed improving supply conditions against rising geopolitical tension. The US partially eased sanctions on Venezuela, allowing limited dealings with the state oil company. Crude flows also resumed from Iraq’s Kirkuk fields to Turkey’s Ceyhan port, adding to supply.

Supply Measures And Policy Signals

The White House issued a temporary waiver of the Jones Act for 60 days, letting foreign vessels move fuel between US ports. The US Treasury also signalled possible steps to add supply, including easing limits on some Iranian volumes or using strategic reserves. Tension in the Middle East increased after Israeli strikes on Iran’s South Pars gas field and Iranian retaliation aimed at energy infrastructure in Qatar. Attacks were also reported on facilities in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, raising disruption risks. The UK, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Japan issued a joint statement on stabilising energy markets. They said they could work with producer countries to increase supply and support transit security through the Strait of Hormuz, and called on Iran to stop threats and attacks. Rabobank cited risks of infrastructure damage, lasting supply cuts, and possible export limits by the US. Geopolitical risk kept a price premium in place, limiting further falls.

Market Outlook And Trading Approach

As we stand on March 19, 2026, WTI is trading firmly around $105.15 per barrel, showing that the geopolitical risks we saw escalating in late 2025 have become the market’s dominant theme. The supply-side measures from last year, such as the temporary Jones Act waiver and the partial easing of Venezuelan sanctions, proved to be short-term fixes. The underlying tension from continued attacks in the Middle East has provided a strong floor for prices. The latest March 2026 report from the International Energy Agency (IEA) now points to a persistent global supply deficit of approximately 0.5 million barrels per day, adding fundamental support to the high prices. Over 20% of the world’s daily oil consumption still passes through the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint that remains under constant threat. This sustained risk keeps the geopolitical premium firmly embedded in the current crude price. This environment of high uncertainty has pushed implied volatility in the options market to elevated levels, sitting near 45% for front-month contracts. For traders, this makes strategies that profit from sharp upward moves particularly attractive. We believe traders should consider buying call options or using bull call spreads to capture potential price spikes from any further supply disruptions. The market dynamics feel very similar to the period after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, when geopolitical headlines drove rapid and significant price swings. Therefore, focusing on shorter-dated options that expire in April or May 2026 could be a capital-efficient way to trade the ongoing headline risk. These instruments allow for tactical plays on near-term volatility without the need for a long-term directional commitment. Create your live VT Markets account and start trading now.

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BNY’s Geoff Yu sees progress in South Africa, linking it to structural improvements under the Government of National Unity and support from the early 2026 commodity rally. He says these factors helped the Rand and the country’s terms of trade. He warns that this support could reverse if energy stress returns. He also notes that new reforms, such as fiscal rules, will take time to take effect and may depend on loose global financial conditions. Yu adds that recent wage settlements remain high. He says markets may seek higher nominal rates to cover risks tied to raw inputs and labour supply. He remains positive on emerging market fixed income overall. However, he says emerging market currency exposure, including ZAR, needs tighter risk management as inflation risks rise and if central banks respond too slowly. The article was produced using an AI tool and reviewed by an editor. It was published by the FXStreet Insights Team. For much of the past 18 months, we have held a positive view on South Africa, largely due to the structural progress made under the Government of National Unity. Looking back, the policy certainty that emerged throughout 2025 provided a stable foundation for investment. This political backdrop continues to support our broadly constructive stance on the country’s assets. The commodity rally in the first two months of this year provided a significant lift, with key exports like platinum gaining over 12% and pushing the country’s trade balance into a temporary surplus. This offered strong support for the Rand, but we see this as fragile. A sudden shock to global energy markets could easily reverse these gains in the coming weeks. Inflationary pressures are becoming a more immediate concern and are tempering our optimism on the currency. Last week’s data showed consumer price inflation accelerating to 5.9%, driven by recent public sector wage settlements that averaged above 7%. The market may now begin demanding higher interest rates to compensate for these growing risks. Therefore, derivative traders should consider separating their view on South African assets from their currency exposure. We recommend using options to hedge against a weakening Rand, for instance, by purchasing USD/ZAR call options to cap potential downside on ZAR-denominated holdings. This strategy allows for continued participation in the country’s positive reform story while insulating portfolios from FX volatility. This need for tighter risk management extends beyond South Africa to our broader emerging market currency exposure. While we remain positive on EM fixed income, the rising threat of inflation demands a more proactive hedging approach. Unhedged currency positions are becoming increasingly risky, especially if central banks are perceived as being behind the curve.

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GBP/USD rose during the North American session after the Bank of England kept interest rates unchanged and said inflation pressures remain high due to the Middle East conflict. The pair traded at 1.3356, up 0.76%. On Thursday, GBP/USD traded around 1.3300, up 0.28% on the day, after a mildly positive market response to the BoE decision. The rate hold was unanimous and was linked to ongoing inflation concerns.

Market Reaction And Technical Backdrop

Earlier, GBP/USD fell about 0.7% on Wednesday, dropping below 1.3300. The move extended a pullback from the late-January high near 1.3870, with the pair trading below both key daily moving averages. The price action over the past two weeks had been mixed, but Wednesday’s bearish candle pointed to a downside break. The updates were published by the FXStreet Team, a group of economic journalists and FX specialists. The Bank of England’s decision to hold rates has caught many off guard, fueling a sharp rally in GBP/USD above 1.3300. We saw UK CPI running stubbornly above the 3% mark through late 2025, so this hawkish stance suggests policymakers are serious about inflation. This reinforces the view that Sterling may have found a near-term floor. For those expecting further upside, buying call options is a direct way to participate with a defined risk. We could consider looking at April or May 2026 expirations with strike prices around 1.3450 and 1.3500 to capture the next leg up. Although implied volatility has likely spiked on this news, it reflects the market’s new-found conviction in the pound. A more conservative approach involves selling put options to collect premium, betting that the recent low will now act as strong support. We saw how the market aggressively defended the 1.3250 area during the sell-off in early 2025, making strikes below this level potentially attractive. This strategy profits from both a rising price and time decay, assuming the pair doesn’t reverse sharply.

BoE Fed Policy Divergence

This move is amplified by the growing policy divergence between the BoE and the US Federal Reserve. We note that recent US Non-Farm Payrolls data for February 2026 came in below expectations at 195,000, while core PCE inflation is softening toward 2.5%. This contrast makes holding the higher-yielding pound more attractive than the dollar for the time being. Create your live VT Markets account and start trading now.

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GBP/USD rose in the North American session after the Bank of England kept rates unchanged. The pair traded at 1.3356, up 0.76%. The BoE held the Bank Rate at 3.75% as staff expect inflation to reach 3.5% over the next two quarters. The BoE said an economic slowdown could lower inflation, but it sees inflation as the main risk.

BoE Decision Lifts Sterling

In the US, initial jobless claims for the week ending March 14 fell to 205K from 213K, below forecasts for 215K. The US Dollar Index fell 0.56% to 99.70 after moving above 100.00 earlier. WTI crude fell 2.54% to $96.43, adding pressure to the dollar. The Federal Reserve kept rates unchanged on Wednesday and set a higher bar for rate cuts. Prime Market Terminal data shows money markets do not expect a Fed cut in 2026, with the first move priced for the first half of 2027. Next week, the UK calendar includes S&P Global flash PMIs, while the US has PMIs and jobs data. GBP/USD is below the 50–200-day moving-average area near 1.3500, with resistance near 1.3435 and 1.3500. Support is near 1.3320 and 1.3250, with further levels at 1.3200 and 1.3000.

Key Levels And Upcoming Catalysts

The Bank of England’s hawkish stance creates a clear divergence against the Federal Reserve’s patient hold, fueling the pound’s immediate strength. This policy tension is the primary force traders must now navigate in the GBP/USD pair. The BoE is clearly signaling that inflation is a greater fear than a potential economic slowdown. Given the compressing price action between major technical trendlines, a significant breakout is becoming more probable. We should consider strategies that profit from a rise in volatility, such as purchasing straddles or strangles in the options market. Implied volatility may be underpricing the risk of a sharp move following next week’s data releases. This policy divergence is grounded in hard numbers that give it credibility. With UK headline CPI last reported at 4.0% in February 2026, the BoE’s concern is understandable, while the strong US labor market, which saw Non-Farm Payrolls add 275,000 jobs last month, allows the Fed to remain on hold. The upcoming flash PMI data from both the UK and the US represents the next major catalyst. A strong UK reading could send GBP/USD breaking above the 1.3435 resistance level, whereas a weak reading could see it test the support trendline near 1.3250. This makes positioning ahead of the release crucial for short-term derivative plays. We are also seeing the dollar weaken alongside WTI crude prices, a correlation that gained traction during the global growth scares of 2025. Traders can use WTI futures to hedge currency positions or speculate on continued commodity weakness that could further pressure the greenback. This dynamic is a notable departure from the risk-off dollar strength we saw back in 2022. Looking back at 2025, we repeatedly saw markets get ahead of themselves in pricing in central bank easing, only to be corrected. Governor Bailey’s comments suggest the BoE is determined not to repeat that pattern. This suggests that any bets on a near-term BoE pivot are likely premature and risky. Create your live VT Markets account and start trading now.

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The United States sold 4-week Treasury bills at an auction with a yield of 3.615%. The previous 4-week bill auction yield was 3.64%. This change shows the auction yield fell by 0.025 percentage points. The new yield is slightly lower than the prior result.

Near Term Fed Cut Signal

This drop in the 4-week bill yield suggests the market is intensifying its bet on a near-term Federal Reserve rate cut. We see this as a direct signal that demand for safe, short-term government debt is increasing, pushing yields down. This aligns with the latest CME FedWatch tool data, which now shows a 70% probability of a 25 basis point cut by the June FOMC meeting, a sharp increase from 50% last week. For our equity derivative books, this reinforces a bullish stance, as lower rates tend to support stock valuations. We should consider buying call options or selling put credit spreads on indices like the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 for the second quarter. When we look back at the market action of 2025, we remember that hints of a Fed pivot often preceded strong multi-week rallies, especially in growth-sensitive sectors. In the interest rate space, this auction result makes buying calls on Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) futures attractive, particularly for contracts expiring in the summer. The front end of the yield curve is clearly reacting to policy expectations more than long-term economic data. The spread between the 2-year and 10-year Treasury note has steepened by 8 basis points in March alone, supporting the case for a more aggressive near-term easing. This environment could also dampen market volatility, creating an opportunity to sell VIX call options or establish other short volatility positions.

Dollar And Volatility Implications

Furthermore, a dovish Fed outlook typically weakens the US dollar, which has already fallen 1.2% this month against a basket of major currencies. We see value in buying call options on currency pairs like the EUR/USD, targeting a move above the 1.0950 level in the coming weeks. Create your live VT Markets account and start trading now.

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Gold fell for a seventh straight day, dropping to over a one-month low. XAU/USD traded near $4,605 after touching about $4,502. The move followed rising inflation concerns linked to higher oil prices and expectations of interest rates staying higher for longer. A firmer US Dollar and higher yields reduced demand for non-yielding gold.

Fed Outlook And Gold Pressure

The Federal Reserve kept its benchmark rate unchanged at 3.50%–3.75%. Its dot plot still shows one rate cut in 2026, while the PCE inflation forecast for December 2026 rose to 2.7% from 2.4%. The FOMC said job gains have been modest, unemployment has changed little, and inflation remains somewhat elevated. It also said the economic impact of Middle East developments is uncertain. Markets pared back expectations, no longer fully pricing even a 25 bps cut by year-end. Oil strength also supported the Dollar, which added pressure on gold.

Middle East Risk And Energy Markets

In the Middle East, Iran struck a site in Qatar, one of the world’s largest LNG facilities, after an Israeli attack on Iran’s South Pars gas field. Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Kuwait also reported Iranian strikes on energy infrastructure. A joint statement from the UK, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Japan said they could act to stabilise energy markets, including boosting supply, and help secure passage through the Strait of Hormuz. Technically, gold broke below $5,000 and the 50-day SMA at $4,976, and is near the 100-day SMA around $4,600. RSI is near 33, ADX near 17, and the next levels cited are $4,400 and $4,000; resistance sits at $4,976, $5,000–$5,100, with $5,200 needed to reverse the pattern. Central banks added 1,136 tonnes of gold worth about $70 billion in 2022, the highest yearly purchase on record. Looking back at the end of 2025, we saw gold come under heavy pressure as the Federal Reserve’s hawkish stance reinforced a “higher-for-longer” rate environment. The conflict in the Middle East unexpectedly failed to support gold, as the resulting oil price surge fueled inflation fears and strengthened the US Dollar. This pushed the metal down toward the $4,600 level, creating a bearish trend that has defined the market since. As of today, March 19, 2026, the situation remains tense, with gold struggling to meaningfully break above $4,750. The Federal Reserve has not yet delivered the single rate cut that was projected for this year, as recent data showed the February Consumer Price Index (CPI) remained elevated at 3.1%, well above the Fed’s target. With the benchmark rate holding firm at the 3.50%-3.75% range set in 2025, the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding gold continues to weigh on its price. For derivatives traders, this persistent uncertainty suggests volatility is the main play in the coming weeks. We are seeing increased interest in buying at-the-money straddles, which allows a trader to profit from a large price move in either direction before the Fed’s next meeting. The CBOE Gold ETF Volatility Index (GVZ), which sat near 15 last year, has crept up to 19, showing that the options market is pricing in a bigger-than-usual price swing. Given the strong resistance and fundamental headwinds, bearish positions seem to have a clearer path. Many are buying put options with strike prices below $4,500, targeting a retest of the lows we saw at the start of the year. The heavy psychological resistance at the $5,000 mark, a level decisively broken last year, now acts as a firm ceiling that limits any significant upside potential for now. However, some are positioning for a potential dovish surprise from the Fed later in the year, should economic data suddenly weaken. In this case, purchasing long-dated call options with strike prices around $5,100 for September 2026 expiry offers a limited-risk way to capture a sharp rally. This strategy allows traders to bet on a reversal without exposing themselves to the downside risk of the current bearish trend. Create your live VT Markets account and start trading now.

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USD/JPY fell to about 158.40 on Thursday after the Federal Reserve and the Bank of Japan kept policy settings unchanged. The Fed held rates steady, and Jerome Powell said higher energy prices could lift inflation and that a rate cut would not happen without inflation progress. The Bank of Japan kept its policy rate at 0.75% and signalled a cautious approach. The vote was eight in favour of no change and one in favour of a rise, while the bank repeated it would keep raising rates if the economy and prices follow its outlook and it can meet its 2% inflation target.

Strait Of Hormuz Geopolitical Risks

Japan and other countries issued a joint statement on the Strait of Hormuz. They said they would take steps to stabilise energy markets, including working with certain producing nations to increase output, and said they were ready to support efforts to ensure safe passage through the strait. The statement called on Iran to stop threats, the laying of mines, drone and missile attacks, and other attempts to block the strait. It also condemned attacks by Iran on unarmed commercial vessels in the Gulf. In technical trading, USD/JPY was near 158.38 on the 4-hour chart. It moved below the 20-period SMA around 159.18, stayed above the rising 100-period SMA near 157.94, and the RSI fell towards 37. Resistance was noted at 159.05 and 159.29. Support was seen at 158.39 and 158.06, with the 100-period SMA as a possible next level if 158.06 breaks.

Market Positioning And Option Strategies

The drop in USD/JPY to 158.40, despite a hawkish Fed, signals that geopolitical fear is overpowering monetary policy for now. With the Strait of Hormuz situation escalating, traders are buying the yen as a safe haven. Since roughly a fifth of the world’s oil supply passes through that strait, any disruption could cause a severe energy shock. For those anticipating further escalation in the near term, buying put options with a strike price below the 158.06 support level could be a viable strategy. This allows for profiting from a continued slide driven by risk aversion, while capping the maximum potential loss. The technical momentum currently supports this bearish view, as the pair has broken below key short-term averages. We have seen this safe-haven demand for the yen before, particularly during the global financial crisis of 2008. In that period, risk aversion sent capital flooding into Japan, strengthening the yen significantly against expectations. The current market behavior is reminiscent of that dynamic, where fear becomes the primary driver of currency flows. However, the underlying interest rate difference between the US and Japan remains a powerful force that should not be ignored. We recall how this divergence consistently pushed USD/JPY higher throughout 2024 and 2025. If geopolitical tensions ease, the market’s focus will likely snap back to the Fed’s firm stance against the Bank of Japan’s dovishness, creating a strong tailwind for the pair. To position for a potential rebound, traders might consider purchasing call options dated a few weeks or months out. This would capitalize on a return to the underlying uptrend if the Hormuz situation de-escalates, with an initial target back toward the 159.29 resistance area. This approach allows traders to bet on the powerful fundamental story reasserting itself once the current panic subsides. Given the conflicting signals between geopolitics and central bank policy, implied volatility is expected to rise. A strategy of buying both a put and a call option (a long straddle) could be effective for traders who believe a large price move is imminent but are unsure of the direction. This would profit from a significant break either below 158.00 or a sharp reversal back above 159.50. Create your live VT Markets account and start trading now.

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EUR/USD rose on Thursday as the Euro strengthened after the ECB kept policy unchanged, while the US Dollar eased following a run of central bank decisions. The prior day’s USD gains after the Fed decision reversed as the BoJ and BoE also held rates steady with a hawkish stance. The pair traded near 1.1529, up about 0.67% on the day. The US Dollar Index (DXY) slipped to about 99.60 after peaking at 100.31 earlier.

Ecbs Policy Decision And Market Reaction

The ECB left rates unchanged, keeping the deposit facility at 2.00%, the main refinancing rate at 2.15%, and the marginal lending rate at 2.40%. It said the Middle East conflict has increased uncertainty, creating upside risks to inflation and downside risks to growth. The ECB said it remains focused on keeping inflation at its 2% target over the medium term. It repeated that decisions will be data-dependent and made meeting by meeting, without committing to a set rate path. Christine Lagarde said energy-related fiscal support should be temporary and targeted, and that higher energy prices could push inflation above 2% in the near term. She also said weaker market sentiment may weigh on demand, while growth risks remain tilted to the downside. Market pricing points to a possible rate rise by July, with another possible move by year-end. ECB projections show weaker growth and higher inflation in both baseline and adverse scenarios.

Late 2025 And 2026 Policy And Data Backdrop

Looking back at the events of late 2025, we saw the euro begin its climb when the European Central Bank held its deposit rate steady at 2.00%. Even with a cautious tone from officials, the market was already looking ahead and pricing in the possibility of rate hikes coming in 2026. This set the stage for the divergence we are seeing now. That outlook has gained credibility, especially with recent inflation data. The latest Eurostat flash estimate for February 2026 showed headline inflation remaining sticky at 2.8%, above market consensus and reinforcing the upside risks the ECB warned us about last year. This persistent price pressure makes it difficult for the central bank to ignore calls for a more hawkish policy response in the coming weeks. However, the downside risks to growth mentioned in 2025 are also materializing, creating a complex picture for traders. The S&P Global Composite PMI for the Eurozone has struggled, with the March 2026 reading hovering just below the 50 mark that separates expansion from contraction. This economic weakness makes any potential rate hike a risky move for the ECB. For derivative traders, this tension suggests that implied volatility in EUR/USD options may be undervalued. The conflict between stubborn inflation and a fragile economy increases the probability of a sharp, unexpected policy move or data release. Positioning for a larger-than-expected price swing through strategies like buying straddles or strangles could be advantageous. The US dollar side of the pair reinforces this view, as the greenback has softened considerably since its post-Fed peak in 2025. Recent US CPI data for February 2026 showed a continued cooling trend, allowing the Federal Reserve to adopt a more neutral stance. This growing policy divergence between a potentially tightening ECB and a pausing Fed could continue to fuel the EUR/USD advance. Create your live VT Markets account and start trading now.

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The ECB kept interest rates unchanged, and its communication pointed to a greater willingness to tighten policy if higher energy prices feed into wider inflation. It is monitoring the Middle East conflict and whether energy costs affect consumer prices and inflation expectations. Nordea’s baseline forecast had been that the ECB would not raise rates until next year. The article says this view could change if the war continues for weeks and energy prices do not fall back, with June described as a key meeting.

Market Pricing And Volatility

Markets were volatile on the day, and interest rates fell back during the ECB press conference. Pricing in markets implied a 25bp rate rise by the June meeting and about 60bp of total tightening by the end of the year. The article states it was produced with the help of an AI tool and reviewed by an editor. We remember from last year, in 2025, how the ECB signaled its readiness to act on inflation risks driven by the Middle East conflict. The central bank was watching closely for signs that higher energy prices were spilling over into the broader economy. This created a clear risk that rate hikes could be brought forward much sooner than we had expected. This situation feels familiar today, as Brent crude oil has climbed over 15% in the last month to above $95 a barrel. Recent Eurostat data shows February’s headline inflation in the Eurozone was 2.8%, surprisingly higher than the 2.5% consensus and largely driven by energy. This echoes the conditions we saw in 2025 that put the ECB on high alert for a potential rate hike.

Trader Positioning And Hedges

Given this backdrop, traders should consider buying protection against rising market volatility. The VSTOXX index, a measure of Eurozone equity volatility, is still trading at levels below the peaks we saw during the 2025 energy scare. Purchasing call options on the index could provide a cost-effective hedge if geopolitical tensions escalate further. The market is again pricing in a significant chance of a 25 basis point rate hike by the ECB’s June meeting, a pattern we saw unfold last year. We should therefore be looking at Euribor futures contracts to position for a more aggressive central bank. The current pricing suggests there may still be an opportunity if the ECB signals even more assertive action in the coming weeks. We should also anticipate that sustained high energy costs and potential rate hikes will strain corporate finances. This makes it sensible to look at credit default swaps (CDS) on indices tracking European corporate debt, particularly in energy-intensive sectors like manufacturing and transportation. The cost of this insurance is rising but has not yet reached the levels seen in past stress periods. Create your live VT Markets account and start trading now.

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The Bank of England kept Bank Rate at 3.75% and communicated a more hawkish stance after a renewed energy shock pushed up inflation projections. The Monetary Policy Committee signalled readiness to respond if inflation pressures persist. The minutes showed the energy crisis is now central to policy discussions, with attention shifting towards inflation persistence and away from a weakening labour market. Inflation risk was framed more as an external shock than as a domestically driven risk.

Rabobank Outlook And Risks

Rabobank now forecasts one 25 basis point rise, possibly in April. It also warned that further tightening amid weak UK demand could compress demand further, on top of the terms-of-trade squeeze caused by higher energy costs. The commentary said the MPC is not prepared to fully look through the supply shock unless the conflict proves very short-lived. The article notes it was produced using an AI tool and reviewed by an editor. The dilemma we saw back in early 2025 continues to dominate the Bank of England’s thinking. With the latest February 2026 inflation data coming in hot at 3.1%, the market is second-guessing the timing of expected rate cuts. This echoes the fears from last year when the renewed energy shock forced policymakers into a hawkish corner, a move that pushed the Bank Rate to its current 4.00%. Traders should be looking at SONIA futures, which are currently pricing in at least two rate cuts by the end of this year. If you believe the stubborn inflation will force the Bank to delay these cuts, then selling these futures is the logical play. This position bets that the Bank’s monetary policy will hold for longer than the market anticipates.

Trading Implications For Pound And Equities

For the pound, this uncertainty creates a prime environment for volatility trading. Options strategies like a long straddle on GBP/USD could be effective, as they profit from a significant price move in either direction without needing to guess the outcome. The market is coiled tightly, and any surprise from the Bank in its next meeting will likely cause a sharp breakout. The warning from 2025 about tightening into weakness being “bearish for UK assets” remains highly relevant today. Given that Q4 2025 GDP showed a minor contraction of 0.1%, any further delay in rate cuts could pressure corporate earnings. Consequently, buying put options on the FTSE 100 index serves as a direct hedge against the risk of the Bank making another policy mistake. Create your live VT Markets account and start trading now.

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