BearMarketMonk

The Federal Reserve's policy shift has become the market focus, with expectations of interest rate cuts in the second half of the year, potentially boosting a rebound in U.S. stocks. Improved inflation data and a stable labor market provide upward momentum for U.S. equities. The Nasdaq 100 index has recently declined, but the medium-term bullish trend remains. Changes in the global energy landscape may also enhance the attractiveness of dollar assets, and investors should watch for rebound opportunities.

NFT (Non-Fungible Token) is a unique blockchain digital asset. After experiencing a frenzy in 2017 and an explosion in 2021, the market has now contracted, but on-chain physical assets may be the key to breaking the deadlock. Investing in NFTs requires identifying a project's ability to generate value and community activity, while remaining vigilant against risks such as liquidity issues, counterfeit goods, and licensing.

The cryptocurrency market's recent rally—with Bitcoin climbing toward $90,000—carries an important warning: what looks like strength is actually exhaustion masquerading as momentum. As we enter one of the most challenging fourth quarters on record, the underlying dynamics tell a story far more

The recent significant movement of the RMB to USD exchange rate has attracted market attention. Goldman Sachs expects it to reach 1:7 by the end of the year and further appreciate to 1:6.85, reflecting China's determination to promote the internationalization of the RMB. The RMB's appreciation benefits from the People's Bank of China's policy guidance and intervention by state-owned banks, while the Federal Reserve's rate cuts reduce the attractiveness of the US dollar. The process of RMB internationalization is accelerating, with a substantial increase in daily trading volume. It is expected that future policies will place greater emphasis on promoting the internationalization of the RMB.

Background Catalysis: Multiple Factors Drive Precious Metals Higher
As the year-end sprint begins, the international precious metals market is experiencing a strong rally. According to Bloomberg, during this week's Asian trading session, spot gold and silver prices rose simultaneously, with silver reaching a historic high, highlighting market demand for safe-haven assets.
There are two main core drivers behind this rally: first, adjustments in Federal Reserve monetary policy expectations, with traders generally expecting the Fed to implement two rate cuts by 2026. The easing expectations are a substantial positive for gold and silver, which do not generate interest income; second, escalating global geopolitical risks, with increased U.S. sanctions on Venezuela's oil exports and ongoing tensions from Ukraine's attack on Russian "shadow fleet" oil tankers in the Mediterranean, have strengthened the safe-haven function of precious metals.
Market Snapshot: Dual Metal Resonance Creates Historic Highs
On Monday during Asian trading hours, spot gold experienced a strong surge, intraday

Year-end approaches, and inflation rates are becoming increasingly evident, with egg prices doubling, food consumption rising by 20-30%, and mortgage rates increasing from 1.31% during the pandemic to around 2.2%. For a mortgage of ten million, the difference in annual interest alone is nearly 90,000. In such an inflationary environment, financial management and investment are no longer optional but a necessity.
Many people who have just entered the workforce or saved their first amount face the same question: how to start with 100,000? Actually, the core of investing is not complicated; it’s simply the combination of three elements: mindset, projects, and time.
Master the allocation logic: ask yourself why you are investing
Before starting, you must clarify a concept — investment must use disposable income, meaning the funds that will not be needed in the short term. Because the market fluctuates, if you urgently need money midway and the investment drops in value, you can only sell at a loss, which is extremely unfavorable in the long run.
Therefore, the first step is to keep accounts and plan cash flow. Treat yourself as a

On the early morning of December 11, the Federal Reserve's policy meeting concluded, and the market迎来 the long-anticipated interest rate cut decision. The federal funds rate was lowered by 25 basis points to a range of 3.50%-3.75%, in line with expectations. This marks the third consecutive rate cut, bringing the total reduction for the year to 75 basis points, but divisions within the decision-making body have become increasingly apparent — among the 12 voting members, Kansas City Fed President Esther George and Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee cast dissenting votes, advocating to hold steady; Fed Governor Michelle Bowman supported a more aggressive 50 basis point cut. This is the first time in six years that three dissenting votes have appeared, reflecting internal tensions within the Fed over policy direction.
Powell sent a dovish signal at the post-meeting press conference, explicitly ruling out the possibility of rate hikes next year, and announced that over the next 30 days, the Fed will purchase $40 billion in Treasury bonds. He stated that the U.S. economy is in a "very favorable position" and that the Fed can patiently wait for further data to evolve. This wording is notably less hawkish than previous statements.

Inflation cools down + employment softens, the central bank's rate cut is imminent
This Thursday (December 18), the Bank of England will announce its December interest rate decision. Market consensus points to a 25 basis point cut to 3.75%—this will be the Bank of England's fourth rate cut this year and the lowest in three years. Over 90% of market participants are betting on a rate cut, and most believe the Bank of England has room for further cuts before the end of April next year.
The main driver pushing the Bank of England toward easing is the weakening of economic fundamentals. Data released on December 12 showed that the UK’s October GDP unexpectedly contracted by 0.1% month-on-month, contrasting with market expectations of positive growth, marking the second consecutive month of contraction. During the same period, the unemployment rate rose to its highest level since early 2021, indicating a clear cooling of the employment market.
More importantly, there is an improvement in the inflation outlook. On Wednesday (December 17), the UK’s November CPI annual rate rose to 3.2%, marking

Elon Musk's strategic priorities have shifted dramatically away from Tesla's traditional strength—vehicle production and sales. With his attention divided between advancing the company's robotics ventures and cementing a historic $1 trillion remuneration package, Tesla's core automotive business

Unveiling what PCE is: The Core Mechanism of the Economic Barometer
What is PCE? In simple terms, the PCE index (full name Personal Consumption Expenditures Price Index, Price Change Index) is a key economic indicator that tracks changes in American consumer spending. It not only records the amount people spend on goods and services but also more importantly reflects the price trend behind these expenditures.
This indicator is significant because personal consumption typically accounts for over 60% of the US GDP. When consumer spending increases, businesses expand production, and employment opportunities grow; the opposite is also true. What is PCE, and why is it crucial? Ultimately, it is the Federal Reserve's (Fed) preferred reference indicator for setting monetary policy, even more so than the CPI (Consumer Price Index).
PCE Calculation Logic: From Data to Index Conversion Process
The birth of the PCE index involved three core

Tuesday Market Overview: Precious metals perform strongly, with silver soaring to $60.8, setting a new historical record; gold fluctuates around the $4200 mark, quoted at $4206 per ounce, up 0.39%. In the US stock market, the three major indices show mixed performance, with the Dow down 0.38%, the S&P 500 down 0.09%, and the Nasdaq up slightly by 0.13%. Market sentiment shifts to caution, with the 10-year US Treasury yield rising to 4.19%, putting pressure on the stock market.
In the cryptocurrency sector, Bitcoin has risen for three consecutive days, with a 24-hour increase of 2.41%, currently trading at $92,830. Ethereum performs even better, with a 24-hour increase of 6.38%, priced at $3,325.7, continuing its strong momentum. Precious metals and crypto assets lead the rally, with Pan-American Silver rising over 11% and Americas Silver Corporation up more than 7%.

What are derivative financial products?
Derivative financial products (English: Derivatives) are tradable financial contracts whose value follows the price fluctuations of the underlying assets. The underlying assets can include stocks, bonds, commodities, indices, virtual currencies, interest rates, and other assets. As the value of the underlying assets changes, the prices of derivative financial products also fluctuate accordingly.
The main types of common derivatives are: futures, options, contracts for difference (CFDs), forward contracts, and swap contracts.
Core Features of Derivative Products
Derivative financial products have the following three prominent characteristics:
High leverage effect: Investors only need to pay a small margin to participate in trading, controlling larger assets with a small amount of capital, making trading more flexible and agile.
Risk management tools: Derivatives enable investors to profit from market volatility predictions of price changes, and can also be used for hedging risks and transferring

What exactly is a CFD?
A Contract For Difference (CFD) is a financial derivative instrument that essentially represents a trading agreement between two parties. When trading CFDs, traders do not need to actually purchase or hold the underlying asset. Instead, they settle the difference in cash based on the asset's price movements.
In simple terms, the core profit mechanism of CFD trading is the difference between the opening price and the closing price. Suppose you are optimistic that the price of an asset will rise. After buying a contract and the price indeed increases, the seller needs to pay you the difference; conversely, if the price falls, you need to pay the difference to the seller. This trading method is applicable to various financial assets such as forex, commodities, stocks, and cryptocurrencies.
How CFD Trading Works
CFD trading is usually provided by brokers who offer contracts, market data, and other services.

As of December 10, 2025, the Taiwanese dollar has reached a rate of 4.85 against the Japanese Yen. Compared to the beginning of the year at 4.46, this is an appreciation of 8.7%. The window for exchanging Yen is quietly closing. Many people don't realize that choosing the wrong method for exchanging 500,000 TWD could result in a loss of over 2,000 TWD—equivalent to ten cups of bubble tea. Considering arbitrage opportunities between Hong Kong dollars and Yen, the cross-border currency exchange space is even larger. Today, we will explain the latest and most comprehensive Yen exchange options to help you avoid unnecessary detours.
First, understand: do you really need to exchange Yen?
Not everyone needs to rush to exchange. The Yen has long been one of the three major safe-haven currencies (alongside the US dollar and Swiss franc), known for Japan's stable economy and low debt. When global markets are turbulent—like during the Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2022—funds flow into Yen as a safe haven, appreciating by 8% in a week, enough to buffer a 10% stock market decline.
For Taiwanese investors,

1. When Will the US Stock Market Close in 2026? Holidays Taiwanese Investors Must Watch
For Taiwanese investors, keeping track of US stock market holidays is crucial. The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) observes federal holidays by closing or early closing, which directly impacts trading strategies. The following dates in 2026 will see the US stock market closed or adjusted:
| Date | Holiday | Closing Arrangement |
|------|---------|---------------------|
| January 1 | New Year's Day | Closed all day |
| January 19 | Martin Luther King Jr. Day | Closed all day |
| February 16 | Washington's Birthday | Closed all day |
| April 3 | Good Friday | Closed all day |
| May 25 | Memorial Day | Closed all day |
| June 19 | Juneteenth National Independence Day | Closed all day |
| July 3

Want to make a fortune in the Hong Kong stock market? First, you need to understand the rules of the game on the HKEX. This article provides a detailed breakdown of the 2025 Hong Kong stock market closing times, opening rules, annual holiday schedule, and trading details to help you develop a more accurate investment plan.
HKEX Fundamentals: What You Need to Know About the Exchange
Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX, ticker: 0388.HK) is the only securities trading platform in Hong Kong and ranks among the top ten globally and the top three in Asia. As one of the world's most active capital markets, HKEX has topped the global IPO financing rankings seven times over the past 13 years.
HKEX oversees multiple trading platforms: The Hong Kong Stock Exchange Limited handles stock trading, the Futures Exchange manages futures business, and the Central Clearing and Settlement System, Options Clearing House, and Futures Clearing Company are responsible for clearing services. It also manages the London Metal Exchange and its clearing institutions.
Important reminder: HKEX is operated by the Hong Kong Special