Dilin Wu
Research Strategist
Most recent articles
Nikkei 225 Hits All-Time High: Can AI, Yen Weakness, and Earnings Sustain the Rally?
The Nikkei 225 has broken through the 72,000 level and set a new all-time high. Expanding AI capital expenditure, a weaker yen, and improving global risk sentiment have all combined to drive Japanese equities higher.
BOJ Hikes to 1%: The Decision Has Landed — but the Real Trade is Just Getting Started
The Bank of Japan has raised rates to a 31-year high. With Deputy Governor Uchida's press conference still ahead, markets are watching for signals on the yen, carry trade risks, and what the Fed does next. USD/JPY may be approaching a critical inflection point.
Gold Outlook: Peace Deal Sparks Rebound — All Eyes on the Fed
Gold has staged a rebound from near $4,000, though the move looks more like a sentiment recovery than a genuine trend reversal. As the U.S.-Iran peace deal advances, the market's primary focus is rapidly shifting from geopolitical risk to Fed policy. This week's FOMC meeting — and Warsh's first public statement as Chair — could prove to be the defining variable for gold's near-term direction.
Gold Outlook: All Eyes on CPI as Geopolitics Stall
Gold remains rangebound as markets await key U.S. CPI and retail sales data for direction. This weekly analysis explores XAUUSD technical levels, inflation outlook, Fed policy expectations, and the impact of stalled U.S.-Iran geopolitical talks on gold’s next move.
Gold Outlook: Geopolitical Tailwinds Fading, Nonfarm Payrolls Could Be the Deciding Factor
Gold remains rangebound and tilted to the downside, as geopolitical tailwinds gradually lose their potency and interest rate headwinds persist. This week, markets will closely watch the U.S. ISM Services PMI and the nonfarm payrolls report — both could prove pivotal in determining gold's next directional move.
Apple Q2 26 Earnings Review: Record Quarter, but Growth Quality Under Scrutiny
Apple’s Q2 FY26 earnings beat estimates with strong guidance, but rising costs and leadership uncertainty put Apple’s growth quality under scrutiny.
.jpg?format=pjpg&auto=webp&width=1536&quality=75&branch=main)
Microsoft Q1 26 Earnings Review: A Clean Beat, but Profitability Draws Scrutiny
Microsoft Q1 beats across the board with Azure reaccelerating to 40% and Copilot adding a record 5 million paid seats — but weaker margin guidance, a sharply higher capex outlook, and a loosening OpenAI tie-up are keeping the bulls honest.
Nikkei 225 Hits Record High: Strong AI Momentum, Three Key Risks to Watch
The Nikkei 225's break above 60,000 to a record high reflects the convergence of the AI capex cycle, a weak yen environment, and sustained foreign inflows. Yet at these elevated levels, geopolitical risks in the Middle East, yen volatility, and upcoming US tech earnings reports represent key uncertainties that could determine whether the rally has legs.
Gold Outlook: Geopolitical Deadlock Caps Trend, Two Key Risks in Focus
Repeated geopolitical headlines keep gold range-bound. This week, markets are focused on developments in US–Iran negotiations and major central bank meetings, including the FOMC. In the near term, price action is likely to remain driven by shifts in inflation expectations and the interest rate outlook.
Tesla Q1 26 Earnings Review: Beat on Numbers, Growth Under Pressure
Tesla’s Q1 results show an upside surprise in profitability and cash flow recovery, but slowing vehicle delivery, rising inventory, and a significant upward revision in AI and robotics capex have reignited concerns over its growth trajectory and valuation re-rating.
Oil consolidates at highs: Escalation concerns give way to time premium pricing
US–Iran talks remain deadlocked, while oil trades at elevated levels. Pricing is gradually shifting from headline-driven geopolitics toward a time-premium and supply–demand framework. Markets are now focused on US substitution capacity, early signs of demand erosion, and tail-risk scenarios that could disrupt the current balance.
Gold Outlook: Repeated Geopolitical Swings Keep Gold Awaiting a Breakout
Gold remains range-bound at elevated levels amid shifting expectations around geopolitical risks and Fed’s policy path. Traders are closely watching shipping conditions in the Strait of Hormuz, the expiration of the ceasefire agreement, and incoming US economic data, while awaiting a key breakout signal in the $4,850–$4,900 range.
Ready to trade better?
Switch to Pepperstone now and join our global community of over 830,000 traders.¹ Apply in minutes with our online application process.
Register
Sign up with your email address and get a free demo.
Answer
We’ll assess your suitability for our products.
Verify
Your safety is our top priority.
Fund
That’s it! You’re ready to trade.
1. Data for the Pepperstone Group, correct as at October 2025.