Author: Lucas

After a historic 2025 that saw gold soar over 60% and break more than 50 record highs, investors are now turning their attention to whether the precious metal can sustain its upward trajectory into 2026. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Despite leading major asset classes in year-to-date performance, putting it on track for its best year since 1979, experts think gold may still have room to climb next year. Others warn that risks remain. Unlike previous years when single events dominated gold’s trajectory, this year saw multiple drivers at play. Sustained central bank buying, persistent geopolitical friction, elevated trade uncertainty, lower interest rates,…

The problem with government bonds, says Guillaume Paillat, is not so much that they have gone down this year, because there should always be periods when they fall in price, but rather that they have been very volatile.Paillat, portfolio manager at Aviva Investors, says: “Bonds have been doing worse than equities this year. At the moment gilts are falling and catching up, or catching down, with the falls that happened to US Treasury bonds earlier this year.”The heightened volatility this year means that “government bonds have, for me, moved from being a strategic part of the asset allocation to being a tactical asset, one…

WisdomTree Physical Precious Metals UCITS ETF Other precious metals, such as palladium and platinum, are also worth a look. These metals are frequently used in industry applications, such as the car and aerospace industries as well as electronics. However, they can be more vulnerable to fluctuations in the economic cycle than gold. The price of palladium has been volatile and performed poorly over the past three years due to the semiconductor chip shortage and hawkish economic outlook. The price of platinum, however, has remained more robust over the past year. One way to gain exposure to these metals is via…

TLDR: Large-cap tech stocks have dumped back to September 2025 levels despite new highs in defensive sectors. Energy, utilities, and consumer staples pump to record levels as massive capital rotates from technology. Market concentration in tech means non-tech rallies cannot lift the S&P 500 without leadership change. Emerging markets see the highest inflows in a decade as capital rotates away from US large-cap technology.   Markets are witnessing a Great Rotation as capital flows out of technology stocks and into defensive sectors. Some stocks pump to new highs while former leaders dump to new lows. Leadership has shifted dramatically from…

Legal and practical dimensionsBy Nicoletta Kouroushi Cyprus continues to constitute a reliable and competitive investment destination within the European Union, offering a developed legal framework, modern business infrastructure and a strategic geographical location. At the same time, its investment environment is not static. It continues to evolve and adapt to international regulatory and supervisory requirements, thereby strengthening its institutional credibility and reinforcing investor confidence. In this context, the challenges that emerge do not indicate a weakening of the market but rather reflect its growing maturity. More specifically, the increased emphasis on compliance, transparency and substantive economic presence creates a framework…

Gold rebounded on Friday as investors awaited U.S. inflation figures for guidance on interest rate direction after jobs data lowered rate cut expectations.Getty Images | Digital Vision| Anthony BradshawGold prices rose more than 2% on Friday as weaker than expected U.S. inflation data reignited hopes for Federal Reserve rate cuts this year, offsetting concerns from stronger than expected jobs data earlier in the week.Spot gold was up 2.25% at $5,030.45 per ounce as of 4:01 p.m. ET. Bullion fell about 3% on Thursday, hitting its lowest in nearly a week.U.S. gold futures for April delivery rose 2% to $5,050.80 per…

Key PointsAWS continues to be the star of the show.The market is worried about Amazon’s spending plans.Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) hasn’t been a great investment over the past year. Since 2026 began, its stock has declined by more than 5%.While it was positive for 2025, the negative price movement started in 2026 after Amazon’s poorly received fourth-quarter earnings report. The market sold the stock off by about 10% following earnings, and now the stock is down around 20% from its all-time high of just shy of $260.Will AI create the world’s first trillionaire? Our team just released a report on the…

Think a heat pump won’t save you much in an old, drafty home? This Reddit post is challenging that assumption. One homeowner shared real-world data on their experience with a 5 kilowatt-hour Vaillant heat pump, sparking a discussion about energy (and money) savings as well as efficiency in older homes.In the r/ukheatpumps subreddit, the user explained that their home had retrofitted insulation, double-glazed windows, original chimneys, and bay windows. Before the heat pump, they relied on gas and electricity trackers, but they switched in mid-February 2025.Photo Credit: RedditThey detailed their energy usage and electricity costs for every month since. They…

Introduction has always attracted the attention of global investors and analysts. It not only serves as a safe-haven asset but also plays a critical role as a commodity in modern industry, from solar panels to electronics and electric vehicles. After a significant rally in 2025, the market is now questioning the direction of silver prices in 2026. Will the bullish trend continue, or will market volatility restrain the rise of this precious metal?Silver Price Outlook 2026Based on the latest market data as of December 2025, silver prices closed the year around $71–$72 per ounce, with intraday highs reaching $83.6. This strong…

1. Why is forex trading gaining popularity in 2026 among retail investors?Mobile apps provide instant global access, while 24-hour markets and low entry barriers attract new participants.2. What risks should beginners understand before trading forex?Leverage magnifies both profits and losses, and rapid price movements increase exposure without risk control.3. Are forex certificates mandatory for independent trading?Certificates are not required, but structured learning improves knowledge of risk and market mechanics.4. What is the focus of professional forex certification programs?Professional programs often cover derivatives, regulations, and institutional risk practices.5. How do retail trading courses differ from corporate FX programs?Retail courses focus on…