Technology and AI drive the global market amid economic uncertainties, while the SET sets narrow band limits.

Investor Confidence Divided: Wall Street Cheers AI but Worries About Fed Politics

As the glow of the technology world illuminates part of the global market, concerns about the independence of the Federal Reserve fade away. Not long ago, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) announced an investigation into legal decisions against Chairman Jerome Powell in what many see as political pressure to change interest rate policies. This event sent shockwaves through the stock market, as investors feared the Fed might lack autonomy in financial decision-making, which is the foundation of confidence in the US dollar.

However, this confusion did not last long. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq recovered, closing at new record highs. The main reason was the strong momentum from technology companies and AI sectors, which surged dramatically. Investors thus shifted away from short-term political stress to focus on the long-term profitability of the digital sector.

Dollar Weakens, Gold Surges Above $4,600 per Ounce, Digital Assets Make a Comeback

As the Fed faces disappointment and the financial system begins to self-regulate, gold has returned to the center of trust, with many turning to it. Gold prices broke previous records, reaching a new high of $4,630 per ounce. This reflects concerns that the dollar may weaken as economic policies lean more toward populism.

Silver (Silver) also did not give up, soaring nearly 7.5% to surpass $85 per ounce. Digital assets like Bitcoin responded to this confidence shift by rising to $96,650 (from the latest data), especially in the morning. Bitcoin now clearly positions itself not just as a speculative asset but as a hedge against risks from central financial institutions and the decline of major fiat currencies.

True Tech Companies Redefine the Game: Major Clients Change Choices

At Alphabet (Google), the company made history by reaching a total valuation of $4 trillion for the first time. A key driver of this rise was Apple’s decision to adopt Google’s Gemini AI technology to transform Siri on the iPhone series. Apple’s massive user base instantly opened access to over 2 billion people for Gemini.

In addition, Walmart, the retail giant, will be included in the Nasdaq-100 index, highlighting a new trend: the boundary between pure technology and traditional retail is disappearing. This will be a key topic for investors to follow regularly in 2026.

Thailand’s Market Continues to Decline: SET Falls but UVAN Remains Resilient

Amid the global tech rally, the Thai stock market (SET Index) shows a different picture. The index fell 12 points to close at 1,242.20. Domestic financial institutions sold stocks worth 2.9 billion baht. This suggests that the “management” of the market is more concerned about the domestic situation than foreign investor confidence.

However, amidst this turbulence, defensive stocks like UVAN (บริษัท ยูนิวานิชน้ำมันปาล์ม จำกัด) stood firm, defying the declining trend. The key reason is that its P/E ratio is only 7.7 times, with a generous dividend yield of 8% per year. This stability is supported by Indonesia’s B50 biodiesel policy, which helps keep global crude palm oil prices from falling too low. Investors seeking to avoid volatility or preserve dividends have a safe haven in UVAN.