Trade Central

Bitcoin and Crypto Take Center Stage in Nasdaq 100’s Growth Story

Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies are stepping into the spotlight as major contributors to Nasdaq 100’s performance, challenging the long-held dominance of big tech companies. Analysts suggest that the increasing integration of digital assets into traditional financial frameworks is reshaping the landscape of the index. Previously led by tech powerhouses like Apple, Microsoft, and Amazon, the Nasdaq […]

Apple Q1: Revenue Grows 4% as Services Drive Performance, iPhone Sales Fall Short

Apple announced a 4% year-over-year increase in its first-quarter revenue, driven by its high-performing Services division, which grew 14% and reached $26.34 billion. However, iPhone sales underperformed, and China sales dipped 11.1%, marking significant challenges for the company. Q1 Financial Highlights CEO Tim Cook attributed the decline in China sales to delayed rollout of the […]

Oil Prices Surge as Tariff Fears Fuel Geopolitical Uncertainty

Tariff Threats Lift Oil Prices Oil prices edged higher on Friday as markets weighed U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs on Canadian and Mexican exports. Brent crude futures for March gained $0.61 to $77.48 per barrel, while U.S. WTI crude rose $0.65 to $73.38. Despite this uptick, weekly losses loom, with Brent and WTI down […]

Japan Eyes Alaskan LNG Project to Bolster U.S. Relations

Strategic Energy Partnership In a bid to strengthen U.S. relations, Japan is considering involvement in a $44 billion Alaskan gas pipeline project. The initiative could be a key agenda item during Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s upcoming meeting with President Trump, as Tokyo seeks to mitigate trade deficits and avoid tariffs. Weighing Viability The proposed pipeline […]

Trump Warns BRICS with 100% Tariffs Over Dollar Challenge

Currency Clash: U.S. Dollar vs BRICS Ambitions On Thursday, Donald Trump issued a stern warning to BRICS nations, threatening to impose 100% tariffs if they pursue the creation of a new currency to rival the U.S. dollar. The former president called on the bloc, which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, to abandon […]

Global Markets Wobble as AI Rivalry and Economic Concerns Intensify

Tech Sell-Off Drags U.S. Markets U.S. stocks tumbled on January 30, with the S&P 500 down 1.2% and the Nasdaq falling 2%. Competitive threats from Chinese AI startup DeepSeek weighed heavily on tech stocks. Nvidia suffered a 15% weekly drop, while Microsoft also saw declines amid fears of losing dominance in the AI space. Asia’s […]

Tech Weakness and Fed Policy Uncertainty Cloud U.S. Stock Market Outlook

Tech Giants Stumble Amid AI Concerns Tech stocks experienced sharp declines as mixed earnings from Microsoft, Tesla, and Meta Platforms tested investor confidence. Microsoft reported slower Azure growth, while Tesla missed estimates and outlined plans for cheaper EVs. Meta’s revenue beat expectations but raised concerns over future sales. Federal Reserve Pauses Rate Cuts The Fed […]

H&M Shares Drop 5% Following Q4 Sales Miss; Profit Margins Improve

Q4 Sales Miss Analyst Forecasts H&M reported fourth-quarter sales of 62.19 billion Swedish krona, falling short of the projected 63.48 billion krona. While sales were below expectations, they still marked a 3% growth in local currencies, reflecting some resilience in the retail market. Full-Year Profits Exceed Expectations Despite challenges, H&M’s full-year operating profit reached 17.3 […]

Shell Q4 Earnings Drop 39%, New Buyback Plan Unveiled

Declining Profits Amid Market Challenges Shell reported a 39% decline in fourth-quarter adjusted earnings, totaling $3.66 billion. The energy firm pointed to reduced oil and gas prices, weaker refining margins, and lower trading performance as key drivers of the decline. Commitment to Shareholder Returns Despite the earnings drop, Shell announced a $3.5 billion share buyback […]

Asian Markets Struggle Amid Hawkish Fed, AI Jitters; Australia Hits Record High

Fed’s Hawkish Hold Dampens Sentiment Asian markets remained largely subdued on Thursday, digesting the Federal Reserve’s decision to keep rates unchanged but signaling potential hikes ahead due to persistent inflation concerns. Australia Leads Regional Gains Australia’s ASX 200 index climbed 0.8% to a record 8,515.70 points, bolstered by speculation that the RBA will begin easing […]