The Week Ends With Cautious Markets (07.10.2026)
Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh announced the members of five new task forces focused on communications, balance sheet policy, data, employment, and inflation. The groups include leading economists, former central bankers, and business figures such as Mervyn King, Raghuram Rajan, Raj Chetty, Marc Andreessen, Greg Mankiw, and Thomas Sargent. Their goal is to conduct a broad review of the Fed's policy framework and provide recommendations for future decision-making.
Financial markets responded to a mix of monetary policy developments and easing geopolitical tensions. The
US Dollar Index slipped toward 100.5, marking its third consecutive daily decline as ongoing US-Iran peace talks reduced demand for safe-haven assets. Lower oil prices also eased inflation concerns, although markets continue to expect at least one Federal Reserve rate hike this year.
New York Fed President John Williams noted that AI-driven demand remains an important source of inflationary pressure.
The
US 10-year Treasury yield also edged lower to around
4.54%, extending its decline for a second session as falling energy prices improved the inflation outlook.
Meanwhile,
US stock futures were little changed following Thursday's rally. The
S&P 500 and
Nasdaq remained on track for weekly gains, supported by strength in semiconductor shares. AI-related stocks continued to see mixed trading as valuation concerns persisted, though
SK Hynix's heavily oversubscribed US share offering helped achieve confidence across the sector.
Micron,
Sandisk, and
AMD were among the session's strongest performers, aided by easing oil prices and improving geopolitical sentiment.
Economic Calendar
Euro Stabilizes Near $1.145
The euro traded near $1.145, recovering from June’s one-year low on expectations of a September ECB rate hike, though cooling Eurozone inflation capped gains.
EUR/USD faced headwinds as safe-haven dollar demand intensified after Donald Trump terminated the Iran ceasefire, reinforced by hawkish Federal Reserve commentary and Brent crude testing multi-week highs.
The first resistance is positioned at 1.1480 while the support starts from 1.1430.
Gold Is Steady Above $4,120
Gold stabilized above $4,120 an ounce on Friday, ending a volatile week virtually unchanged as market participants evaluated persistent Middle East frictions. Ongoing U.S.–Iran discussions continue despite recent airstrikes disrupting energy transit through the Strait of Hormuz, reviving inflation anxieties.
While a Federal Reserve rate hike remains anticipated later this year, monetary policy trajectories remain cloudier after John Williams cited artificial intelligence demand as a primary inflationary threat.
First resistance is seen at $4150, with initial support near $4080.
Yen Rebounds Past 161.5
The Japanese yen strengthened past 161.5 per dollar on Friday, reversing its weekly losses as market participants remained alert for potential currency intervention following recent 40-year lows. While investors await data confirming official support, domestic producer price inflation surged 7.1% in June.
Additionally, retreating oil prices tied to renewed U.S.–Iran diplomatic talks further alleviated pressure on the currency.
Initial resistance stands at 162.00, while the first support is at 160.70.
Sterling Reclaims $1.34
The pound advanced past $1.34, hitting its highest level since mid-June, as investors increased Bank of England rate-hike expectations amid intensifying U.S.–Iran frictions. Crude oil hit multi-week highs following fresh airstrikes and Donald Trump's termination of the ceasefire, amplifying inflation anxieties.
Overnight, markets fully priced in a December BoE rate increase, while sterling's stability indicated that political succession dynamics are already digested.
From a technical view, resistance stands near 1.3480, with support around 1.3380.
Silver Holds Near $60
Silver stabilized near $60 an ounce on Friday, though it remained on track for a weekly loss as market participants monitored Middle East developments. Ongoing U.S.–Iran diplomatic discussions provided a backdrop to recent airstrikes that disrupted energy flows and reawakened inflation fears.
Markets continue to price in a Federal Reserve rate hike this year, despite policy uncertainty linked to AI-driven demand.
From a technical view, resistance stands near $61.80, while support is located around $59.20.
Brent Crude Oil
Brent crude stabilized near $76 a barrel on Friday, down 2% on the session following reports that U.S.–Iran peace talks will persist despite recent shipping disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.
Even with traffic slowing sharply, the benchmark headed for a 6% weekly gain driven by retaliatory airstrikes and Donald Trump's termination of the interim nuclear deal.
Resistance is seen at 78.20, while the nearest support stands at 75.50.
Nasdaq 100
The Nasdaq 100 climbed 1.62% to trade near 29,727.10, recovering from a semiconductor-driven pullback that tested support at 29,200. Opportunistic buying near the 200-period average and aggressive call-option volume catalyzed the bounce.
Reclaiming 29,900 points toward psychological targets of 30,000, though tight Federal Reserve monetary policy continues to anchor broader market sentiment.
Resistance stands at 29,850, while the nearest support is located at 29,400.
Chinese Yuan (USD/CNH)
The offshore Chinese yuan appreciated to approximately 6.78 per dollar on Friday, reaching its strongest level in nearly three weeks. This advance followed a symbolic move by the People's Bank of China, which set its daily midpoint fixing at 6.7989.
This action broke below the critical 6.80 psychological threshold for the first time since 2023. Investors interpreted this configuration as official tolerance for currency strength, and market attention now pivots to upcoming retail, trade, and GDP data releases next week.
Resistance stands at 6.8000 while the nearest support is located at 6.7700.
Bitcoin (BTC/USD)
Bitcoin climbed 2.18% over 24 hours to trade near $63,844, stabilizing after its late-June recovery from $57,750. The digital asset faces resistance at $63,500 and its 50-day EMA, with support established at $61,500.
A fresh wave of cash flowing back into spot ETFs, mostly led by BlackRock's IBIT fund, gave the market a nice lift, even though strict comments from the Federal Reserve are keeping everyone on edge and stuck in a state of extreme fear.
First resistance is seen at 64,500, with initial support near 62,500.