Dilin Wu
Research Strategist
Most recent articles
Gold Outlook: Geopolitical Conflict Weighs on Prices — $4,000 Is the Key Level to Watch
A cooling in U.S. June inflation briefly gave gold room to breathe, but escalating U.S.-Iran tensions and surging oil prices quickly reversed market sentiment. With the Fed entering its pre-meeting blackout period and little in the way of major data or policy signals this week, the Middle East situation could prove to be the dominant driver of gold's near-term price action — and $4,000 remains the most critical line in the sand.
US Q226 Earnings Season: Which Major Banks Report First and What to Watch
Six major US banks report earnings on 14–15 July. Five trade near record highs, but elevated expectations can cut both ways. Here's what to watch.
Gold Outlook: $4,000 Is the Line — Doha, Warsh, and Payrolls to Decide
Gold has fallen for seven consecutive weeks, with rate headwinds and geopolitical uncertainty keeping prices under pressure around the $4,000 level. This week brings a dense cluster of risk events — the U.S.-Iran Doha talks, Warsh's Sintra debut, and the nonfarm payrolls report — any one of which could determine whether gold has the foundation to stabilize.
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.
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.
Bitcoin Reclaims $80K: Institutions Buy, Shorts Bail — Two Risks Could Derail
Bitcoin has reclaimed the $80,000 level, completing a key breakout driven by the convergence of sustained ETF inflows and short covering. Pricing resilience and improving regulatory clarity reinforce the bullish structure, while geopolitical risks and shifts in institutional buying pace remain the primary variables shaping near-term price action.
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.
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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.
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1. Data for the Pepperstone Group, correct as at October 2025.