Daily Market Analysis By FXOpen

Why Do Stocks Go Up and Down?



Stock prices rise and fall every minute, and at first glance the movement can look chaotic. Understanding what affects the stock market gives context. News, earnings reports, broader economic shifts, interest rate decisions, and investor behaviour all influence price movement in different ways.
In this article, we'll consider the forces that influence prices over time and why markets react the way they do.

What Causes Stocks to Go Up and Down? Key Takeaways
- Stock prices change because supply and demand shift. When buying pressure outweighs selling, prices rise, and the opposite happens when sellers dominate.
- Short-term price movement often reacts to headlines and sentiment, while long-term movement usually reflects fundamentals and broader economic trends.
- Core factors that affect stock prices include economic data, corporate earnings, market sentiment, monetary policy, and global stability.
- Structure, risk awareness, and avoiding emotional decisions can support more consistent navigation of market movement.

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Disclaimer: This article represents the opinion of the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand only (excluding FXOpen EU). It is not to be construed as an offer, solicitation, or recommendation with respect to products and services provided by the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand, nor is it to be considered financial advice.

EUR/NZD Pulls Back From Its December High



Today the EUR/NZD rate touched the 2.4000 level — the highest reading since late November — but then saw a fairly sharp pullback. Fundamentally, the heightened volatility is driven by a combination of factors.

The euro (EUR) is showing strength because:
→ industrial production in the euro area unexpectedly rose by 0.8% (above forecasts), easing recession fears;
→ the market expects a more measured tone from the European Central Bank amid stabilising data. The meeting will take place on Thursday, 18 December.

On the other hand, the New Zealand dollar (NZD) has come under pressure:
→ a report published on 9 December by the New Zealand Treasury (the Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update) delivered a gloomy outlook: the economic recovery is stalling, and unemployment could rise to 5.5%;
→ prices for dairy products (the country’s main export) are falling, undermining the resilience of the “kiwi”.
That said, the EUR/NZD chart suggests that the scope for further upside may be limited.



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Disclaimer: This article represents the opinion of the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand only (excluding FXOpen EU). It is not to be construed as an offer, solicitation, or recommendation with respect to products and services provided by the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand, nor is it to be considered financial advice.

Trump’s Comments Spark Rally in Cannabis Stocks



Shares of cannabis-related companies have surged sharply in recent days, as what had previously been market rumours received official confirmation.
According to media reports:
→ The US President confirmed his intention to reclassify cannabis as a Schedule III substance, which would designate it as less dangerous. Such a move could boost funding for the cannabis industry and related scientific research, while also easing criminal penalties. “We are looking at this very carefully,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.
→ The White House’s decision to reclassify cannabis would also remove the impact of Section 280E of the US tax code, which has limited profitability for companies in the cannabis sector.
Among the top gainers was shares of Canadian firm Cronos (CRON), which climbed to its highest level since late 2022 yesterday.



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Disclaimer: This article represents the opinion of the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand only (excluding FXOpen EU). It is not to be construed as an offer, solicitation, or recommendation with respect to products and services provided by the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand, nor is it to be considered financial advice.

Market Analysis: GBP/USD Back In Demand as USD/CAD Slides Further


GBP/USD started a fresh increase above 1.3350 and 1.3400. USD/CAD declined and is now consolidating losses below 1.3800.

Important Takeaways for GBP/USD and USD/CAD Analysis Today
- The British Pound is eyeing more gains above 1.3430.
- There is a key bullish trend line forming with support at 1.3390 on the hourly chart of GBP/USD at FXOpen.
- USD/CAD started a fresh decline after it failed to stay above 1.3800.
- There is a connecting bearish trend line with resistance at 1.3780 on the hourly chart at FXOpen.

GBP/USD Technical Analysis

On the hourly chart of GBP/USD at FXOpen, the pair formed a base above the 1.3300 level. The British Pound started a steady increase above 1.3350 against the US Dollar, as discussed in the previous analysis.

The pair gained strength above 1.3380 and the 50-hour simple moving average. It even cleared the 1.3400 handle and tested 1.3450. It is now consolidating gains below 1.3430. There was a minor pullback below the 50% Fib retracement level of the upward move from the 1.3354 swing low to the 1.3456 high, and the RSI dipped below 50.

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Disclaimer: This article represents the opinion of the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand only (excluding FXOpen EU). It is not to be construed as an offer, solicitation, or recommendation with respect to products and services provided by the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand, nor is it to be considered financial advice.

USD/JPY and USD/CAD Under Pressure After Weak US Labour Market Data


The US jobs report for November, released yesterday, reinforced the downward momentum in the dollar. The Department of Labor reported that non-farm payrolls rose by just 64,000, only slightly above analysts’ expectations and signalling a fragile recovery in the labour market. At the same time, the unemployment rate climbed to 4.6%, exceeding both forecasts and previous readings, while October data will not be published due to a disruption in statistical collection following the shutdown. Weak US retail sales in October, which were flat instead of rising as expected, add to the picture of economic cooling and further weigh on the dollar.

Against this backdrop, the US currency weakened noticeably against major peers, including the Japanese yen and the Canadian dollar. USD/JPY traded below the key 155.00 level yesterday, reflecting yen strength amid deteriorating US economic prospects and increased demand for safe-haven assets. USD/CAD also moved lower and is trading below 1.3800, as the Canadian dollar draws support from improved sentiment towards Canada’s economy and ongoing pressure on the greenback.


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Disclaimer: This article represents the opinion of the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand only (excluding FXOpen EU). It is not to be construed as an offer, solicitation, or recommendation with respect to products and services provided by the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand, nor is it to be considered financial advice.

Tesla (TSLA) Shares Close at a Record High


On Tuesday, 16 December 2025, Tesla shares closed at a new all-time high, breaking above the $488 level.
As a result, TSLA:
→ surpassed its December 2024 peak;
→ is up by roughly 125% from this year’s lows;
→ made Elon Musk the first person in the world whose net worth has exceeded $600 billion.

Why are TSLA Shares Rising?
Elon Musk has officially confirmed that Tesla has begun testing driverless robotaxis in Austin, Texas, without safety monitors in the vehicle. This marks an important step towards the large-scale deployment of the Robotaxi concept.
Despite a decline in electric vehicle sales in November (following the removal of tax incentives by the new US administration), TSLA shares continue to rise as market participants are pricing in Tesla’s potential dominance in artificial intelligence and autonomous transport — a development that could unlock fundamentally new revenue streams for the company.
Supporting this outlook, several investment banks have raised their price targets for TSLA. For instance, Mizuho analysts lifted their target to $530.


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Disclaimer: This article represents the opinion of the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand only (excluding FXOpen EU). It is not to be construed as an offer, solicitation, or recommendation with respect to products and services provided by the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand, nor is it to be considered financial advice.

The US Dollar Index (DXY) Rebounds from a Two-Month Low



A week ago, we:
→ updated a system of two trend channels;
→ identified signs of selling pressure dominance;
→ outlined a scenario in which price could slide towards the lower boundary of the blue channel, potentially acting as key support.

As the arrow on the chart shows, this scenario largely played out:
→ The US dollar index fell to a two-month low yesterday. The decline was driven by economic news, including weak US housing data. Both housing starts and building permits came in below expectations, reinforcing the view that the US economy is losing momentum.
→ Today, the DXY is rebounding sharply amid sterling weakness, after UK consumer price index (CPI) data revealed a sharp slowdown in inflation to 3.2%, versus a 3.5% forecast.


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Disclaimer: This article represents the opinion of the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand only (excluding FXOpen EU). It is not to be construed as an offer, solicitation, or recommendation with respect to products and services provided by the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand, nor is it to be considered financial advice.

Sterling Consolidates Ahead of the Bank of England Decision



Sterling is consolidating as markets await the Bank of England’s interest rate decision, while investors’ attention is gradually turning to tomorrow’s meeting of the Bank of Japan. The UK currency is moving cautiously, as markets have largely priced in a 25-basis-point cut in the Bank Rate to 3.75% at today’s meeting. Expectations of easing strengthened after UK inflation unexpectedly slowed to 3.2% in November — the lowest level in recent months and below analysts’ forecasts.
Market pricing implies an almost 100% probability of a rate cut, with some participants also factoring in the possibility of further adjustments in 2026 if inflation and labour-market data continue to weaken.
GBP/USD is fluctuating within a narrow range ahead of the announcement, reflecting a balance between pressure on the pound from expected monetary easing and broader market caution before the BoE decision. Consolidation is also evident in GBP/JPY, although the pair remains above key levels around 208.00. Traders are staying cautious ahead of tomorrow’s Bank of Japan meeting, where most forecasts point to a potential 25-basis-point rate hike to 0.75% — a move that would mark a significant shift in Japanese policy.

Such expectations are supported by recent economist surveys and signs of firmer business sentiment and inflation pressures. A BoJ hike would add further pressure on sterling versus the yen, as higher Japanese yields make the currency more attractive.



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Disclaimer: This article represents the opinion of the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand only (excluding FXOpen EU). It is not to be construed as an offer, solicitation, or recommendation with respect to products and services provided by the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand, nor is it to be considered financial advice.

Oracle (ORCL) Shares Fall Below $180



Yesterday, Oracle (ORCL) shares dropped by 5% following reports that investment firm Blue Owl Capital had withdrawn from financing a $10bn data centre project in Michigan.
The collapse of the deal raises questions over Oracle’s ability to meet its commitments under large-scale contracts (including a $300bn agreement with OpenAI) without further straining its balance sheet.
According to media reports, the company’s total debt has climbed to $111bn. The recent share price decline reflects growing concerns that Oracle’s “credit bubble” may struggle to withstand the AI arms race, making it increasingly difficult for the company to secure funding for its ambitious construction projects.
As a result:
→ ORCL shares fell below $180 for the first time since mid-June;
→ the chances of returning to the previously established ascending channel now look slim.



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Disclaimer: This article represents the opinion of the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand only (excluding FXOpen EU). It is not to be construed as an offer, solicitation, or recommendation with respect to products and services provided by the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand, nor is it to be considered financial advice.

Gold Price Analysis: Price Retreats From Record Highs


As the XAU/USD chart shows, gold rallied yesterday to near its October all-time high around the 4,380 level, before pulling back (as indicated by the arrow).
The surge in volatility was driven by a combination of factors:
→ Expectations of US rate cuts. According to media reports, data released yesterday showed that inflation slowed to 2.7% in November, below the 3.1% forecast, while core CPI eased to 2.6%, the lowest reading since March 2021. Markets are currently pricing in roughly a 25% chance of a rate cut in January, with a cut by April seen as almost certain.
→ Geopolitical tensions. Traders are closely monitoring developments linked to Venezuela, where the risk of an armed conflict involving the United States has increased. Market participants also reacted to statements from UK and European politicians ahead of the EU summit.



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Disclaimer: This article represents the opinion of the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand only (excluding FXOpen EU). It is not to be construed as an offer, solicitation, or recommendation with respect to products and services provided by the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand, nor is it to be considered financial advice.

Natural Gas Prices Fell in Late December


On 4 December, while analysing the XNG/USD chart, we highlighted the rally in natural gas prices towards a three-year high and noted that the price had entered a resistance zone formed by:
→ the upper boundary of a broad descending channel (shown in red);
→ the $4.800/MMBtu level, near which a peak was formed in March;
→ the psychological $5.000/MMBtu mark.

As indicated by the arrow:
→ this resistance cluster proved effective, and after an attempt to break above the $5.000 psychological level, the uptrend reached its climax;
→ following the appearance of a bearish gap on 8 December, selling pressure took control, leading to a break below the orange ascending trend line and a decline in US natural gas prices.

From a fundamental perspective, the pullback has been driven by several factors:
→ Seasonality. Weather forecasts for the US holiday period point to above-average temperatures, reducing demand for heating and power generation.
→ Rising production. According to Trading Economics, natural gas output in the continental United States reached 109.7 billion cubic feet per day in December, maintaining the record levels seen in November. In addition, EIA data show that gas inventories remain 0.9% above the current five-year average.


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Disclaimer: This article represents the opinion of the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand only (excluding FXOpen EU). It is not to be construed as an offer, solicitation, or recommendation with respect to products and services provided by the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand, nor is it to be considered financial advice.

Market Analysis: Gold Breaks to Record High as WTI Crude Seeks Rebound



Gold price started a fresh surge above $4,350 and traded to a new all-time high. Crude oil is recovering and might rise toward the $58.50 resistance zone.
Important Takeaways for Gold and WTI Crude Oil Prices Analysis Today
- Gold price rallied to a new all-time high and traded above $4,395 against the US Dollar.
- A key bullish trend line is forming with support at $4,334 on the hourly chart of gold at FXOpen.
- WTI Crude oil is recovering losses and trading above $56.20.
- There was a break above a major bearish trend line with resistance at $56.00 on the hourly chart of XTI/USD at FXOpen.

Gold Price Technical Analysis

On the hourly chart of Gold at FXOpen, the price formed support near $4,240. The price remained in a bullish zone and started a fresh increase above $4,300, as mentioned in the previous analysis.

The bulls pushed the price above $4,360 level and the 50-hour simple moving average. Finally, it traded to a new all-time high at $4,397. The price is still showing bullish signs above $4,380, and the RSI is above 70.

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Disclaimer: This article represents the opinion of the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand only (excluding FXOpen EU). It is not to be construed as an offer, solicitation, or recommendation with respect to products and services provided by the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand, nor is it to be considered financial advice.

Gold Price Breaks Above $4,400 for the First Time



As the XAU/USD chart shows, gold has climbed above $4,400 today, setting a new all-time high.
On Friday, when analysing the gold chart, we highlighted a triangle formation and noted strong selling pressure near the previous record high around $4,380, set in October.
However, over the weekend geopolitical tensions intensified following reports that the United States detained an oil tanker linked to Venezuela. At the turn of the week, this resulted in a clear triangle breakout (as indicated by the arrow):
→ during the second half of Friday’s session, gold moved above the upper boundary of the pattern;
→ at the Asian open, the price turned higher after retesting that level, with former resistance acting as support.
As a result, concerns about a potential armed conflict involving the US have shifted the balance of supply and demand decisively higher.



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Disclaimer: This article represents the opinion of the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand only (excluding FXOpen EU). It is not to be construed as an offer, solicitation, or recommendation with respect to products and services provided by the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand, nor is it to be considered financial advice.

USD/JPY Climbs Towards a Key High


On 15 December, we highlighted that USD/JPY was sliding towards a key support area near the lower boundary of its ascending channel.
Since then (as shown by the arrow), the pair has reversed higher, gaining around 1.5% and moving close to an important high set last month.
Notably, the advance has occurred despite two bearish factors:
→ last Friday’s interest-rate increase to 0.75%, the highest level in 30 years;
→ the ongoing risk of currency intervention aimed at supporting the yen.
It appears that the rate hike had already been priced in, while traders focused on the relatively dovish tone of the Bank of Japan’s comments following the decision. At the same time, the threat of intervention is largely being viewed as rhetorical rather than imminent.


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Disclaimer: This article represents the opinion of the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand only (excluding FXOpen EU). It is not to be construed as an offer, solicitation, or recommendation with respect to products and services provided by the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand, nor is it to be considered financial advice.

10 Weakest European Currencies



While the euro may have been adopted by many European nations, plenty still use their own currencies. Some are strong, such as the British pound and Swiss franc, while others are much weaker.
This FXOpen article explores ten of the weakest currencies in Europe in 2025, ranking them and discussing reasons for their low valuations.

10 Weakest Currencies in Europe in 2025
There are several weak currencies in Europe, but they aren't all weak for the same reasons. Below, we’ll break down precisely why they’re so weak: economic struggles and mismanagement, geopolitical and political conflicts, and more.
The ten weakest currencies in Europe are:
Hungarian forint (HUF)
Icelandic króna (ISK)
Serbian dinar (RSD)
Albanian lek (ALL)
Macedonian denar (MKD)
Ukrainian hryvnia (UAH)
Czech koruna (CZK)
Moldovan leu (MDL)
Norwegian Krone (NOK)
Swedish Krona (SEK)

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Disclaimer: This article represents the opinion of the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand only (excluding FXOpen EU). It is not to be construed as an offer, solicitation, or recommendation with respect to products and services provided by the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand, nor is it to be considered financial advice.

Market Year Wrap 2025 with Gary Thomson: Key Highlights and Outlook for 2026


2025 was a year defined by policy shocks, geopolitical risk, and strong divergence across asset classes. From renewed trade wars to record-breaking equity and commodity moves, markets were repeatedly forced to reprice macro assumptions. Let’s recall the most critical events that had an impact across FX, equities, and commodities.

Key Highlights:
- FX Markets: Currency pairs were highly volatile throughout the year as persistent recession fears, weak and uneven macro data, contradictory monetary policy signals, and rising geopolitical tension triggered significant price swings.
- Equities: US equities experienced sharp volatility during the year. In April 2025, the implementation of broad tariffs triggered a large sell-off, marking the largest decline since the COVID crash of 2020. Despite this, equities recovered strongly. Expectations of easier monetary policy and resilient corporate earnings pushed major indices to record levels by year-end.
- Commodities: Precious metals were among the strongest performers of the year. Energy markets told a different story. Policy decisions and geopolitical dynamics played a central role across the markets.

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Oil Rises 1.7% Since the Start of the Week On Geopolitical Factors


As the XBR/USD chart shows, Brent crude trading opened this week near the $61.40 level, and by Tuesday morning the price was hovering around $61.50 (approximately +1.7%).

Oil prices are being pushed higher by geopolitical developments, including:
→ Pressure on Venezuela. President Trump stated that the United States could seize or sell oil from Venezuelan tankers that have been blocked.
→ Ukrainian attacks on ports and tankers linked to the transportation of Russian oil.
As a result, oil has gained around 5% from its seven-month low recorded on 16 December (point B), reflecting the risk premium that traders are building into the price of a barrel.


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Disclaimer: This article represents the opinion of the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand only (excluding FXOpen EU). It is not to be construed as an offer, solicitation, or recommendation with respect to products and services provided by the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand, nor is it to be considered financial advice.

Nvidia (NVDA) Shares Rise On Potential Chip Shipments to China


According to Reuters sources, Nvidia has informed Chinese clients of plans to begin shipments of its H200 chips by mid-February 2026. This has been made possible by a recent change in US export policy, which allows the sale of advanced technologies provided a special 25% duty is paid.
NVDA shares reacted positively to the news, as the ability to legally sell high-performance chips — which are roughly six times more powerful than the previously approved, cut-down H20 versions — to major players such as Alibaba and ByteDance could significantly boost Nvidia’s revenues.



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Disclaimer: This article represents the opinion of the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand only (excluding FXOpen EU). It is not to be construed as an offer, solicitation, or recommendation with respect to products and services provided by the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand, nor is it to be considered financial advice.

Analytical Gold Price Predictions for 2026, 2027, and Beyond



Gold continues to attract attention as investors search for a so-called safe haven in an increasingly uncertain global environment. Rising geopolitical tensions, currency volatility, central bank reserve shifts, and questions about long-term economic resilience have all pushed gold back into focus.
With prices reaching repeated record highs in 2025, many are now looking beyond the immediate rally and asking what comes next. This article breaks down the factors shaping gold’s trajectory and examines analytical gold price forecasts for 2026 to 2030.

Gold Price History
Gold has been a cornerstone of economic systems and wealth preservation for millennia. Revered for its scarcity and intrinsic value, the precious metal has been used as a form of currency, a symbol of wealth, and a reserve asset across different civilisations. Its unique qualities, such as durability and resistance to corrosion, have made it a preferred choice for monetary systems until the modern era introduced fiat currencies.
In the 20th century, gold retained its prominence through the establishment of the gold standard, where currencies were directly linked to gold reserves. Although this system was eventually abandoned, gold has continued to play a significant role as a store of value and a hedge against economic uncertainties, maintaining its relevance in global markets.

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Disclaimer: This article represents the opinion of the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand only (excluding FXOpen EU). It is not to be construed as an offer, solicitation, or recommendation with respect to products and services provided by the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand, nor is it to be considered financial advice.

Silver Price Hits a Record High Near $72



On 12 December, we noted that silver had climbed above $60. It took the market less than two weeks to advance further and clear the next psychological milestone at $70.
Today, XAG/USD reached $72, extending the sharp rally that began in the autumn. Gold prices have also been showing strong momentum.
The surge in precious metals has been driven by:
→ robust ETF buying from retail investors;
→ rising geopolitical tensions (media reports suggest the US has deployed additional military forces close to Venezuela);
→ reduced liquidity during the holiday period. Thin trading conditions often leave markets exposed to abrupt price swings.



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Disclaimer: This article represents the opinion of the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand only (excluding FXOpen EU). It is not to be construed as an offer, solicitation, or recommendation with respect to products and services provided by the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand, nor is it to be considered financial advice.