Why Yield Curve Steepening Can Mean Very Different Things
A steeper yield curve can signal coming rate cuts and recession risk, or rising inflation and deficit worries. Bull vs bear steepeners and what each means.
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Why the Yen Rallies When Global Markets Sell Off
The yen often strengthens in sell-offs because of carry trade unwinds and Japan's huge foreign assets. How it works and what happened on August 5, 2024.
Why Volatility in One Market Spills Into Others
A shock in one market can spread to others through leverage, forced selling and shared investors. How spillovers worked in 2008, March 2020 and August 2024.
Why the UK Banned Crypto Derivatives for Retail Investors
Since January 6, 2021, UK firms cannot sell crypto CFDs, futures, options or ETNs to retail clients. Why the FCA acted, what the ban covers and the criticism.
Why Exchanges Halt Trading in a Stock
Exchanges pause a single stock for pending news, extreme price moves or regulatory concerns. The types of halts, how long they last and what happens after.
What Past Tariff Rounds Did to Currencies and Stocks
Tariff shocks have hit stocks fast, then often reversed when policies softened. What happened in April 2025, how currencies and bonds reacted and the lessons.
Why US Stocks Moved to T+1 Settlement
On May 28, 2024, US stock trades began settling one business day after the trade instead of two. Why the change followed the 2021 meme-stock episode.
How a Strong Dollar Hits Commodities, Emerging Markets and Crypto
Why a rising US dollar weighs on commodities, emerging markets and crypto, what happened when the dollar index hit a 20-year high in 2022, and the limits.
Stocks vs Bonds When Inflation Is Falling
When inflation falls, bonds can hedge stocks again. How the stock-bond relationship depends on inflation, with lessons from 1998 to 2021 and from 2022.
How Stocks Have Behaved in Past Rate-Cutting Cycles
Stocks have usually risen after the Fed's first cut when no recession followed and fallen when one did. The record since the 1980s and what it means.
What Happens to Stocks After a 10% Correction?
Since 1950 the S&P 500 has had about 36 to 38 corrections of 10% or more. How long they last, how often they become bear markets and what history suggests.
How Circuit Breakers Work and When They Have Been Triggered
US circuit breakers halt trading when the S&P 500 falls 7%, 13% or 20% in a day. How they work and when they fired: once in 1997 and four times in 2020.