Dilin Wu
Research Strategist
Most recent articles
Oil Pullback Limited: Cautious Take on De-escalation, Two Key Scenarios in Focus
Trump signals a softer stance on geopolitical tensions, yet oil has not seen sustained selling. Markets are closely watching Strait of Hormuz flows and negotiation progress, actively pricing in two key scenarios. In a high-volatility environment, positioning remains critical, with divergence across crude benchmarks worth monitoring.
Gold Outlook: Inflation and Rate Expectations Drive Trading, Geopolitical Risks Remain Key
Gold falls 10% in a single week as trading logic shifts from safe-haven demand to inflation and interest rates. Rising oil prices push inflation expectations higher, while higher real yields and tightening liquidity weigh on prices. Geopolitical developments continue to be a key factor for the market.
Gold Falls Below $5,000: Safe-Haven Logic Takes a Back Seat as Inflation Hedging Drives the Market
Escalating geopolitical tensions failed to lift gold, which fell 3.7% in a single day, breaking the $5,000 mark. Long liquidations, delayed rate cut expectations, and a stronger dollar coincided, shifting the market focus from safe-haven buying to inflation hedging, potentially amplifying short-term volatility.
Gold Outlook: $5,000 Key Level in Focus as Geopolitics and Fed Meeting Drive Markets
Strong dollar and leveraged long liquidations pressure gold, while institutional and central bank buying provide support. Holding $5,000 is critical for near-term direction, but escalating geopolitical tensions or a hawkish Fed could trigger greater volatility.
Bitcoin Tests $70,000: High-Beta Behavior Persists, Institutional Funds Remain Key
Bitcoin is once again challenging the $70,000 level, showing short-term behavior more akin to a high-beta risk asset. Price support comes from institutional inflows, futures leverage, and its correlation with the dollar, but miner selling pressure, geopolitical risks, and regulatory uncertainty remain key market concerns.
China Lowers 2026 GDP Target: Policy Focus Shifts to Structural Upgrades and Market Repricing
China sets 2026 GDP target at 4.5%–5%, emphasizing structural upgrades, tech innovation, and boosting domestic demand. Short-term market volatility is manageable, but policy execution, property sector pressures, and external risks warrant attention.
KOSPI & Nikkei Plunge: Concentrated Bulls and Elevated Energy Drive Sell-Off
Heightened Middle East tensions combined with soaring energy prices have triggered sharp declines across Asian stock indices. KOSPI and the Nikkei have both retraced more than 10% from their late-February highs. Concentrated bullish positions and simultaneous equity-currency pressures have intensified selling, keeping risk management top of mind for traders in the near term.
Gold Outlook: Risk Premiums Rise Amid Middle East Tensions, Market Watches for News-Driven Reactions
The sudden escalation in the Middle East triggered a gap-up in gold, lifting the risk premium, though the sustainability of buying pressure remains uncertain. Traders should monitor developments in diplomatic talks and the upcoming U.S. nonfarm payrolls report, while managing risk and position sizing carefully.
AI Disruption Fear Slams IBM: Claude Code Challenges Profit Model
On February 23, IBM’s stock plummeted more than 13% in a single day. The market is concerned that Anthropic’s Claude Code tool could disrupt traditional COBOL service revenue, potentially triggering a broader reassessment of profitability across the tech sector.
Gold Outlook: Bulls Break $5,100 as Tariffs and Geopolitical Risks Continue to Drive
Gold breaks above $5,100, reinforcing the short-term bullish structure. Rising U.S. tariff uncertainty and escalating U.S.–Iran tensions are boosting safe-haven demand. Short-term support lies at $5,100/$5,000, with resistance near $5,200. Traders remain closely attentive to policy and geopolitical developments.
NVIDIA (NVDA) Q4 26 Preview: Data Center Remains Strong, Three Key Risks to Watch
NVIDIA’s data center business remains the core growth engine, but rising competition, China market uncertainties, and cash flow pressures merit attention.
Walmart (WMT) Q4 26 Earnings Preview: How Consumer Segmentation & AI Fuel Its $1T Market Cap
Walmart (WMT) reports Q4 FY26 earnings on Feb 19. With a $1T market cap and 47x P/E, investors assess growth quality, AI gains, and valuation sustainability.”
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1. Data for the Pepperstone Group, correct as at October 2025.