Authorized and Regulated Entities: SARACEN MARKETS (PTY) LTD

Author name: Market Outlook

OIL RISES AS INVESTORS DIGEST NEW SANCTIONS, GOLD HOLDS NEAR RECORD 1

OIL RISES AS INVESTORS DIGEST NEW SANCTIONS, GOLD HOLDS NEAR RECORD

Crude oil edged higher as traders assessed the impact of fresh US sanctions on Iran, adding another layer of complexity to global supply dynamics. Meanwhile, gold hovered near its all-time high, fueled by ongoing demand for safe-haven assets amid economic uncertainty. Treasury 10-year yields slipped three basis points to 4.4% in Asia, tracking the flight […]

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EURO GAINS AS TREASURIES SLIP, GOLD NEARS RECORD HIGH 3

EURO GAINS AS TREASURIES SLIP, GOLD NEARS RECORD HIGH

Treasury futures declined as trading resumed on Monday, though cash Treasuries remained inactive in Asia due to Japan’s market holiday. The US dollar softened in early Asian trading, while the euro led gains among G-10 currencies, rising 0.5% against the greenback. The move came after Germany’s conservative leader Friedrich Merz signaled his intent to swiftly

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JAPAN INFLATION SURGES, YEN SLIPS, OIL POSTS STRONG WEEKLY GAIN 5

JAPAN INFLATION SURGES, YEN SLIPS, OIL POSTS STRONG WEEKLY GAIN

Japan’s inflation picked up more than expected in January, with core consumer prices excluding fresh food rising 3.2% year-on-year, marking the sharpest gain since June 2023. The data reinforced expectations for a policy shift from the Bank of Japan, with traders now pricing in an 84% probability of a 25-basis-point hike by July, up from

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FED MINUTES SIGNAL POLICY PAUSE, TRUMP PRESSURES UKRAINE ON PEACE TALKS 7

FED MINUTES SIGNAL POLICY PAUSE, TRUMP PRESSURES UKRAINE ON PEACE TALKS

Minutes from the Federal Reserve’s January meeting underscored policymakers’ preference for maintaining current interest rate levels amid persistent inflation and lingering economic uncertainty. Officials also signaled potential adjustments to the pace of quantitative tightening (QT), indicating they may hold off on further balance-sheet reductions until the ongoing US debt-ceiling debate is resolved. Geopolitical Tensions Rise

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TARIFF UNCERTAINTY, FED POLICY, AND GEOPOLITICS DRIVE MARKETS 9

TARIFF UNCERTAINTY, FED POLICY, AND GEOPOLITICS DRIVE MARKETS

Investors are closely monitoring trade developments as President Donald Trump prepares to unveil new tariffs as early as April 2, adding to previously announced 25% levies on steel and aluminum set to take effect in March. His latest comments provided the clearest signal yet on expanding protectionist measures across additional sectors. Meanwhile, Japan’s exports surged,

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DOLLAR GAINS AS BOND YIELDS RISE, FED SIGNALS POLICY CAUTION 11

DOLLAR GAINS AS BOND YIELDS RISE, FED SIGNALS POLICY CAUTION

The US dollar advanced against major global currencies, with 10-year Treasury yields rising to 4.5% as markets reopened after the Presidents’ Day holiday. Investors assessed remarks from Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller, who emphasized that policymakers are in no rush to cut interest rates without clearer signs of inflation cooling. Waller suggested that if price

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Dollar Retreats As Tariff Fears Fade, Gold Holds Near Record Highs 13

Dollar Retreats As Tariff Fears Fade, Gold Holds Near Record Highs

The Dollar Spot Index has declined roughly 2.5% from its February peak as traders unwind positions built on expectations that US President Donald Trump would aggressively escalate global tariffs under his “America First” agenda. With growing indications that tariff measures will be more targeted framed around national security and trade equity rather than broad-based escalation

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Markets Look Past Inflation As Ukraine Peace Talks Take Center Stage 15

Markets Look Past Inflation As Ukraine Peace Talks Take Center Stage

Global markets turned their attention to US President Donald Trump’s peace negotiations with Russia, brushing aside hotter-than-expected US inflation data that cast doubt on the timing of Federal Reserve rate cuts. While elevated price pressures weakened the case for immediate monetary easing, investors remain in wait-and-see mode, needing more inflation data to determine a definitive

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Bond Yields Rise as Fed Signals Patience Ahead Of CPI Data 17

Bond Yields Rise as Fed Signals Patience Ahead Of CPI Data

US bond yields climbed as Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell reaffirmed a measured approach to monetary policy, emphasizing there is no urgency to cut interest rates. Investors remain cautious ahead of Wednesday’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) release, which could provide further clarity on inflation trends and the Fed’s policy trajectory. Powell’s remarks to Congress underscored

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Trump’s Tariff Threats Stoke Volatility Ahead of Powell’s Testimony 19

Trump’s Tariff Threats Stoke Volatility Ahead of Powell’s Testimony

The US dollar climbed as traders positioned for escalating global trade tensions, following President Donald Trump’s renewed tariff rhetoric. The administration’s move to impose a 25% levy on steel and aluminum imports has heightened market anxiety, compounding uncertainty ahead of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s upcoming congressional testimony. Meanwhile, speculation is mounting over Trump’s potential

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