Sempra Energy is enhancing customer service and expanding renewable energy through strategic investments.
Sempra Energy is making strides in its ECA LNG Phase 1 and Port Arthur LNG Phase 1 projects to address the increasing global demand for LNG. The company is also boosting its investments in transmission and distribution infrastructure. Capital spending is projected to rise by about 30% from 2026 to 2029.
Sempra is expanding its renewable energy offerings, focusing on wind, solar, and rooftop solar. This growth aims to take advantage of economic benefits and incentives available in the renewable market.
The pound strengthens by 0.3% against the US dollar but underperforms compared to G10 currencies
The Pound Sterling (GBP) increased by 0.3% against the US Dollar (USD), but it still lags behind other G10 currencies, outperforming only the Australian Dollar (AUD) and Japanese Yen (JPY). Recent labor market data was mixed. Wage growth met expectations and employment rose more than expected, but there was a larger than anticipated drop in monthly payroll changes.
In short-term interest rate markets, there’s been a significant shift in rate expectations, leading to fewer anticipated rate cuts for 2026. The market now expects about 40 basis points of easing from the Bank of England, down from the earlier expectation of 50 basis points. The GBP is closely linked to risk reversals, showing the influence of market sentiment.
Financial Reports This Week
This week is packed with financial reports, including Consumer Price Index (CPI) data available on Wednesday. We will also see public finance figures on Thursday, followed by retail sales and preliminary Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) data on Friday. Please remember that the information provided is general and not investment advice, carrying significant risks. The Pound is rising against the dollar, but it’s still not performing as well as other major currencies. Traders are less confident about the number of rate cuts from the Bank of England, reducing expectations from 50 basis points to just 40 for the rest of 2026. This change in sentiment is currently a key factor affecting the Sterling. Inflation data coming out on Wednesday is the main event for the week, especially after the mixed jobs report. If the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) remains stubbornly above 3% through late 2025, any surprising rise could push rate cut expectations even further into the future. This makes the market very sensitive to the CPI release. Given this uncertainty, traders should consider options to manage risk around these data releases. Last year, the Pound experienced sharp movements around the Bank meetings, where one-month implied volatility for GBP/USD surged over 10% in November 2025. Buying call options on the Pound might be a strategy to prepare for a hawkish surprise while keeping initial costs limited.Critical Economic Indicators
Aside from inflation, the retail sales and PMI figures released on Friday will also be crucial. After a surprising 0.4% drop in retail sales in November 2025, another weak report could weaken the Pound’s recent gains, regardless of the inflation data. These numbers will help us understand how well the UK consumer is holding up. Create your live VT Markets account and start trading now.Positive sentiment boosts the Euro by 0.7% against the US Dollar
The Euro has increased by 0.7% against the US Dollar, bouncing back from a recent decline that followed December’s highs. This rise is closely tied to a strong correlation with its three-month risk reversal, which sits at 0.96 based on a 21-session rolling average.
A positive ZEW sentiment survey for Germany and the euro area supports this increase. The survey is a good indicator of industrial activity, providing reassurance to the European Central Bank (ECB). ECB official Villeroy’s comments are neutral and highlight ongoing inflation risks. Boris Vujcic from Croatia’s central bank will soon join the ECB’s Executive Board.
Euro Breaks Key Moving Averages
The Euro has moved above its 50-day moving average of 1.1666 and is currently supported by the 200-day moving average of 1.1592. The Relative Strength Index is showing a return to a bullish trend. If the Euro crosses the December high of just above 1.18, attention will shift to the mid-September high of 1.1919. In the near term, analysts expect the Euro to trade between 1.17 and 1.18. Looking back to the same time in 2025, the Euro experienced a strong bullish signal by breaking key technical levels, fueled by rising sentiment. This was confirmed by a significant jump in the German ZEW survey, which eased concerns for European Central Bank officials. This sentiment pushed the EUR/USD exchange rate above its 50-day moving average. Last year’s rally was a classic example, as the correlation between the Euro and market sentiment was very high. Positive economic data provided a solid reason to buy, and the EUR/USD pair rallied toward the 1.1900 level over the following month. This historical example shows how quickly shifts in key indicators can lead to substantial market movements.Current Market Conditions
Today, the context is different. Ongoing inflation concerns and a cautious stance from the ECB are significant factors. Recent Eurozone inflation data indicated a headline rate of 2.1%, which remains above the ECB’s goal, making any dovish pivot challenging. Unlike the clear optimism seen in early 2025, the market is now anticipating a period of slower growth, with the latest German industrial production data showing a 0.5% decline last month. Given this situation, traders may want to hedge against possible Euro weakness. With the EUR/USD currently trading near 1.0850, buying put options with a strike price around 1.0700 could provide protection against a potential downturn. This strategy allows traders to benefit from declines while managing initial costs. The low implied volatility, with the Euro Currency Volatility Index (EVZ) near multi-year lows around 5.8, makes it relatively cheap to buy options. This market condition is favorable for setting up bearish positions or hedges without overspending. Traders should keep an eye on a break below the 200-day moving average, currently at 1.0800, as this could signal further declines. Create your live VT Markets account and start trading now.Scotiabank reports that the Canadian dollar rises into the low 1.38s due to USD weakness.
The Canadian Dollar (CAD) has strengthened, reaching around 1.38 due to a weaker US Dollar (USD). According to strategists at Scotiabank, this change isn’t affected by domestic factors.
The USD/CAD pair has broken significant support levels, suggesting further declines might occur. The CAD is now trading just above its fair value of 1.3865, a position it hasn’t seen since earlier this year.
Canadian Inflation and Business Outlook
Recent Canadian inflation data was slightly stronger than expected, and the Business Outlook Survey for Q4 improved a bit, which has helped the CAD. However, the main reason for the CAD’s strength remains the weak USD. The USD/CAD has dropped through key levels of 1.3855/60, aiming for short-term lows at 1.3790/95. Recent trading shows the USD has stalled against major moving averages and is below the 200-day moving average. If the USD continues to decline this week, it may indicate strong resistance in the low 1.39 range and more weakness to come. Looking back to January 2025, the USD/CAD pair broke below critical support at 1.3855, mainly due to weakness in the USD. At that time, Canadian-specific factors like inflation were not as influential. The technical breakdown indicated potential further declines. As of January 20, 2026, this downward trend persists, with the pair now trading near 1.3550. Unlike last year, however, the CAD’s strength is now backed by Canadian factors, such as a more aggressive stance from the Bank of Canada regarding ongoing wage growth. Additionally, the latest Labour Force Survey from Statistics Canada showed a significant gain of 55,000 jobs in December 2025, boosting domestic strength.Canadian Economic Factors and Oil Prices
The positive outlook for the CAD is further supported by external factors, with West Texas Intermediate crude oil prices remaining above $85 a barrel. In contrast, recent US data showed December 2025 retail sales were weaker than expected, falling by 0.5%, which put additional pressure on the USD. The strong Canadian data combined with stable oil prices makes a compelling case for CAD appreciation compared to a year ago. In this environment, traders might want to position for further declines in USD/CAD in the coming weeks. Purchasing put options on USD/CAD with strike prices around 1.3400 could provide a good risk-reward opportunity to take advantage of this downward trend. For those already exposed to the USD, hedging against further CAD appreciation with forward contracts or options collars is a wise move. Create your live VT Markets account and start trading now.Palantir’s stock drops about 3.5%, indicating continued weakness in its performance.
Palantir’s stock dropped by 3.5% on Friday and continued to fall by more than 2% in premarket trading. This decline is partly due to fears of a possible trade war between the US and Europe. The overall outlook for the stock is currently shaky, leading to ongoing drops.
Right now, Palantir is trading within an upward-sloping parallel channel, which many see as a bearish sign. If it breaks down from this channel, the stock could plummet further, possibly hitting about $147. This level is important because it may act as a point where the price stabilizes amid increasing selling pressure.
As a publicly traded company, Palantir often faces ups and downs from economic events and technical trends. Because of this volatility, it’s crucial to closely monitor the charts and not let emotions guide decisions.
Effective risk management is essential in this situation. It requires setting clear levels, recognizing invalidation points, and avoiding the assumption of a rebound just because of past declines. Keeping an eye on chart signals helps in making decisions based on objective insights.
Last year, we saw how fragile Palantir’s stock sentiment was when fears of a US-Europe trade war led to a drop. These worries are growing again, especially after the US Commerce Department announced a review of digital services taxes last week. Recent data from Eurostat, showing a 5% decline in US tech imports for Q4 2025, suggests these fears are impacting the numbers.
Technically, the upward-sloping parallel channel that we observed in 2025 remains a key pattern on the chart. This structure is still viewed as bearish, and the stock is testing its lower boundary again. A break below the crucial support level around $158 would signal the start of a major downward move.
Given this situation, we should consider buying put options to hedge against or bet on further declines. March or April expiries would offer enough time for this pattern to play out, especially since breakdowns can sometimes lead to a brief retest of the support level that was broken. The implied volatility is now high at around 45%, showing the market’s growing concerns over trade policies.
For a more controlled risk approach, a bear put spread makes sense to mitigate some of the high costs. We could buy a put option near the current price and sell another put at the $147 target level. This strategy profits if the channel breaks and the price moves toward that key level we identified last year.
Looking back at the AI-related volatility in mid-2024 illustrates how quickly Palantir’s stock can change due to macroeconomic shifts. During that time, we saw swings of over 15% in just weeks. Using options allows us to position for similar movements without the unlimited risks that come with shorting the stock directly.
Global markets under pressure as US assets see sharp sell-off due to tariff threats
European Currencies Shine
Global markets are under pressure due to a sell-off in US assets, causing the dollar to drop. This downturn is linked to tariff threats from Trump and rising geopolitical tensions before Davos. Meanwhile, European currencies are doing well, with the Swiss franc increasing by 1%. Rising gold prices and greater FX volatility hint that the dollar may keep falling, with the DXY index potentially hitting between 97.75 and 98.00. The sell-off has resulted in a sharp decline of the USD, following earlier weaknesses from the president’s tariff and Greenland comments. Core European currencies are performing better, particularly the CHF, while emerging market currencies are lagging. Gold has risen by 1.4%, reinforcing its role as a safe haven and adding pressure on the dollar. Increased FX volatility points to expectations of further USD declines. Current positioning data shows a drop in USD exposure, now slightly above benchmark levels. This shift could lead to more USD weakness, especially if US policies cause investors to rebalance their portfolios away from US assets. Large losses in the DXY suggest it may retest levels around 97.75 in the near term. A ‘sell everything’ mindset seems to dominate, especially regarding US assets. The dollar is continuing its slide due to renewed tariff threats just before the Davos summit. We expect the Dollar Index (DXY) to challenge the crucial support zone of 97.75–98.00, a level last seen during late 2025 lows. The rise in foreign exchange volatility indicates that traders are preparing for larger fluctuations in the dollar. The Cboe Volatility Index (VIX) has jumped above 18, a significant increase from the calm of the last quarter of 2025, when it averaged around 14. This situation favors options trading, such as buying straddles on major currency pairs to profit from anticipated market swings.Finding Safety Beyond the Dollar
Investors are clearly looking for safer options outside the dollar, which is why gold has surged past $2,420 an ounce to reach new highs. The Swiss franc is the top performer in the currency market, with USD/CHF decisively falling below the critical 0.9000 level. This trend highlights a strong preference for non-US safe havens, which will likely keep pressure on the dollar. We should consider positioning for further dollar weakness by exploring options on the euro, especially as EUR/USD rises. The options market is now pricing a higher premium for puts on the dollar compared to calls, reflecting a significant shift in sentiment. This suggests that buying call options on EUR/USD may be a smart strategy to capture potential gains. This dollar sell-off could have further momentum because large speculators are just beginning to reduce their bullish positions. Although positioning is not as heavily long on the dollar as it was last year, recent CFTC data shows traders still hold more long USD positions than average. This creates potential for more selling as these positions are closed. Create your live VT Markets account and start trading now.GDT price index in New Zealand drops from 6.3% to 1.5%
New Zealand’s Global Dairy Trade (GDT) Price Index has dropped to 1.5%, down from 6.3%. This shift shows changes in the market and could affect the entire dairy industry.
New Tariffs and Trade Changes
President Trump has proposed new tariffs on goods from several European countries, starting with a 10% tariff on February 1. Additional increases are possible, leading to uncertainty in global trade. Gold reached an all-time high of $4,760 per troy ounce on Tuesday. This rise is fueled by geopolitical tensions and fears of trade conflicts, which have weakened the US dollar. Bitmine Immersion Technologies has boosted its Ethereum (ETH) holdings to 4.2 million ETH, approaching its goal of 5% of the total ETH supply. This new amount represents 3.48% of the current circulation, showing a strategic buying approach. Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and Ripple (XRP) are seeing price drops. Rising geopolitical tensions over Greenland are influencing a risk-averse attitude in the market.Market Volatility and Strategies
With the new tariff threats against major European countries, we should expect increased market volatility. In 2025, trade tensions led to a more than 40% spike in the VIX, a key fear indicator, in just a few weeks. Consider buying VIX call options or options on major indices as a safeguard against this upcoming uncertainty. Gold’s rise to $4,760 directly responds to geopolitical tensions and the weakening US dollar. Many expect this trend to continue, similar to the 15% rally seen in late 2024 during a similar situation. Call options on gold futures or related ETFs could allow you to benefit from this upward trend. The sharp drop in New Zealand’s GDT price index is a warning for the Kiwi dollar. The decline from 6.3% to 1.5% indicates lowered demand for their key export. Historically, such a significant drop in GDT has led to a 1-2% decrease in the NZD/USD exchange rate within a month. The crypto market is acting like a classic risk asset, with Bitcoin and Ethereum declining due to the Greenland news. This scenario opens opportunities for short-term bearish trades, such as buying put options or shorting futures. The connection between crypto and tech stocks during risk-off times has remained around 0.75 since the market downturn in 2025. Yet, there is a contrasting signal in the Ethereum market. While prices are falling, Bitmine is aggressively buying more ETH, adding another 35,628 ETH. This trend of institutional buying in a down market resembles patterns from Q4 2025 when major wallets increased their holdings by 8% while retail investors sold. Create your live VT Markets account and start trading now.US markets prepare to open as sentiment improves slightly, despite lower stock expectations amid Netflix negotiations.
US stocks are expected to open lower today. The Dow is projected to drop by 700 points, and the Nasdaq may fall by 1.8%. Nvidia shares are down by 2.3%, and JP Morgan has slipped by 1.8%. Possible EU tariffs on US tech and banking sectors could create stress in global supply chains. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant’s comments haven’t eased market worries much.
Concerns Over Japanese Bond Yields
While the Greenland situation is getting attention, rising Japanese bond yields might be a bigger global concern. Japanese 30-year bond yields increased by 26 basis points due to worries about fiscal policies. Instability in Japan’s bond market could affect global capital flows, although Japanese investors haven’t begun to bring their funds back home. Netflix has made a new cash offer of $27.75 per share for Warner Bros, making it Warner’s top choice. Warner Bros has accepted this offer, pending shareholder approval by April. Paramount is also interested in Warner Bros, and regulatory hurdles could challenge Netflix’s bid. Netflix plans to separate Warner’s cable business, which will be named Discovery Global. Following this news, Netflix’s shares increased by 1.5% in pre-market trading, enhancing the anticipation around its upcoming earnings report. Due to the market’s response to the situation in Greenland, we’re seeing a significant rise in implied volatility. The VIX, a key fear indicator, is climbing towards 28. Traders may want to buy protection against potential drops in major indices. Historically, such crises have pushed the VIX above 35, as seen during past tariff disputes in 2025. Buying put options on the SPY and QQQ ETFs can directly hedge against expected declines in the S&P 500 and Nasdaq. Since US tech and banks are particularly vulnerable to potential EU tariffs, purchasing puts on sector-specific ETFs like XLK for technology and XLF for financials can be a smart strategy. This approach allows for a focused hedge against downturns in these sensitive areas.Japanese Debt and Currency Strategies
While Washington grabs attention, the sharp rise in Japanese government bond yields is a more serious long-term risk. The 26-basis-point jump in Japan’s 30-year yield is alarming and reminiscent of the pressures that led to the Silicon Valley Bank collapse in 2023. A significant event in Japan could have a more considerable global effect than current political issues. This uncertainty in Japanese debt makes the yen quite interesting. It is currently lagging despite the global tendency to avoid risks. This unpredictability offers traders a chance to prepare for a major shift in currency value. Traders are employing option strangles on the USD/JPY pair to capitalize on potential price swings as the February 8th election nears. In a different note, Netflix’s all-cash offer for Warner Bros. presents a straightforward merger arbitrage opportunity. Since the deal needs shareholder and regulatory approval, and a vote is not expected until April, Warner Bros. stock will likely trade below the $27.75 offer price due to uncertainty. This price difference reveals where traders can spot opportunities. To take advantage, we’re considering buying call options for Warner Bros. with strike prices below $27.75 that expire after the anticipated April vote. The main risk is that the deal might fall through, similar to the regulatory delays seen with the Microsoft-Activision deal that wrapped up in 2023. Traders buying these options are betting that Netflix will successfully navigate the challenges to complete the acquisition. Create your live VT Markets account and start trading now.Amid geopolitical tensions, silver nears its peak value at $95.50, rising by 1.20%
Silver is trading near its all-time high at $95.50, having reached a peak of $95.89. The rising tensions between the US and Europe have increased demand for safe investments.
Concerns about the US central bank’s independence and rising debt levels have also strengthened the metals market. Silver is performing better than gold, showing both defensive strategies and speculative investments at play.
There is ongoing worry about US trade policy and its effects on the economy. These concerns are worsened by challenges to the Federal Reserve’s independence, making silver an attractive option for investors.
Ongoing geopolitical risks in Eastern Europe and the Middle East boost demand for silver. In this uncertain climate, many investors look to silver for protection against global economic instability.
Silver is considered a good way to store wealth and protect against inflation. It can be traded as physical assets or through financial products like Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs).
Several factors affect silver prices, including industrial demand and the strength of the US Dollar. An increase in industrial demand, especially in electronics and solar energy, can significantly influence silver prices.
With silver nearing its all-time high, we should explore strategies to take advantage of this strong upward trend. Buying call options on silver ETFs like the iShares Silver Trust (SLV) allows us to profit from further price increases while limiting our risk to the premium paid. Data from last month showed over 30 million ounces in inflows into silver-backed ETFs globally, indicating ongoing investor interest.
The recent sharp price movements and geopolitical uncertainty have pushed silver’s implied volatility to levels not seen since the market turmoil in 2020. This suggests the potential for profitable price swings in either direction. A long straddle strategy, where we buy both a call and a put option with the same strike price and expiration date, could be effective during this period of heightened volatility.
We should also consider the gold-to-silver ratio, which is currently around 50, based on gold’s price of $4,760 and silver’s price of $95.50. Historically, this ratio averaged closer to 60 in the 20th century, indicating silver may be overpriced compared to gold. A pair trade, where we buy gold futures and sell silver futures, would bet on the ratio returning to its historical average.
The overall outlook is supported by strong industrial demand, which made up over 50% of last year’s total silver consumption, especially from the solar and electronics sectors. However, if escalating trade conflicts with Europe trigger a global economic slowdown, this demand could decline. This presents a significant risk, and we might use put options as a hedge against a sharp fall in silver’s price.
ASML Holding N.V. supports a rise to 1457.74 by providing essential lithography for semiconductor manufacturing.
ASML Holding N.V. provides lithography solutions and services for making semiconductor chips. It operates in the technology sector and trades on Nasdaq under the ticker ‘ASML.’
ASML is currently on a strong upward trend, recently hitting an all-time high and approaching the $1457.74 mark before a potential correction. The stock finished wave (I) at $895.93 in September 2021 and wave (II) at a low of $363.15 in October 2022.
After the low in October 2022, wave I of (III) peaked at $1110.09 before dropping to $578.51. This sequence highlights several important highs and lows, reflecting the stock’s price swings. Currently, ASML is rising in wave ((1)) of III, which is above wave II’s low.
The stock has since completed several waves, indicating an upward trend in wave (5). It is expected to wrap up wave 3 of (5) soon, followed by a correction in wave 4 before another upward push in wave ((1)). This could mean a rally toward the $1334.14 to $1457.74 range. The recent breakout from the price channel indicates a positive outlook above the $1327.3 level, suggesting further gains ahead.
Looking ahead to 2025, the bullish trend in ASML is still a key focus. Our previous forecasts predicted a strong rally after the stock broke its price channel last year, which helped push the stock closer to our long-term targets.
Recently, ASML reached new all-time highs in late 2025 before entering a consolidation phase, in line with our expectation of a pullback. This situation creates a good opportunity, as our analysis recommends buying during these dips. The rally following the April 2025 low has unfolded as we anticipated, setting the stage for the next potential rise.
On the fundamental side, strong demand in the industry backs this outlook. The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) reported that global semiconductor sales rose by over 20% in 2025, and predictions for 2026 indicate continued growth, driven by the strong demand for AI chips. This overall momentum provides a solid base for ASML’s ongoing performance.
For traders looking to capitalize on a move toward the $1457.74 target, buying call options or establishing bull call spreads could be effective strategies. These tactics allow for participation in the expected gains while controlling risk. The recent pullback offers better entry points for these bullish trades.
Alternatively, those who see the recent dip as a temporary consolidation might consider selling cash-secured puts. By selling puts at a strike price lower than the current market level, traders can earn premium while believing that the April 2025 low will act as a strong support level for the stock.
