The Dual Catalyst: Why Silver's \$50 Breakout is SustainableSilver (XAG/USD) recently broke the crucial $50 per ounce level, signaling a fundamental shift in its market dynamics. While the price edges lower in the short term, primarily due to a strengthened US Dollar (USD), its long-term trajectory is decisively bullish. This surge is not merely speculative. It is driven by an unprecedented convergence of geopolitical risks, critical industrial demand, and shifting macroeconomic policy. Analyzing these catalysts across multiple domains confirms silver's evolving role from a precious metal to a critical industrial asset.
Macroeconomics and Geopolitics
Silver's price strength reflects global systemic risk and monetary policy uncertainty. Current market expectations strongly favor a Federal Reserve (Fed) rate cut by December, with a nearly 68% probability priced in by the CME FedWatch Tool. Lower interest rates reduce the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding silver, making it relatively more attractive than bonds or cash. This dovish outlook provides a powerful structural floor for the price.
From a geopolitical perspective, ongoing global tensions and elevated political risks, like recent US government funding debates, accelerate safe-haven demand. Investors seek hard assets to hedge systemic risks. While gold often leads as the primary safe haven, silver's lower cost and dual-use nature attract broader retail and institutional flows, pushing it higher. A strong, sustained rally will require the price to hold above $50 and overcome the next major resistance near the historical high of $54.50.
Technology, Science, and Patents
Industrial demand now constitutes over 50% of silver’s total annual consumption, fundamentally redefining its market. Its unmatched electrical and thermal conductivity makes it indispensable in high-growth sectors.
* Renewable Energy: Silver is critical for photovoltaics (PV), specifically in solar cells, which form the conductive paste that harvests electrons. The global push for green energy and solar capacity expansion creates structural, persistent demand that consistently tightens the market.
* High-Tech and EVs: Electric Vehicles ( EVs) require significantly more silver (25–50 grams per unit) than traditional vehicles for inverters, battery management systems, and high-voltage contacts. The expansion of 5G technology, advanced computing, and the Internet of Things (IoT) further relies on silver-based components for seamless connectivity and efficiency.
Geostrategy and Supply Chain Risk
Silver is now recognized as a critical mineral by several major economies. This reclassification acknowledges its essential role in national security, advanced manufacturing, and the energy transition. This status highlights a geopolitical vulnerability: silver's supply chain is increasingly seen as a strategic concern.
The market currently runs a persistent supply deficit, depleting above-ground stockpiles to critically low levels. Mining silver often occurs as a byproduct of copper, lead, and zinc, meaning its supply cannot easily scale up based on price alone. Trade conflicts or export controls imposed by major producing nations could severely disrupt supply, immediately spiking the price due to its non-substitutable role in key high-tech applications.
Cyber and Economics: The Future Nexus
Silver’s unique properties extend into emerging fields like cybersecurity* and advanced computing. Research integrates silver nanoparticles and quantum materials into sophisticated systems. These materials enhance data processing efficiency and bolster the security of financial supply chains. Furthermore, flexible electronics using silver nanowires* will drive the next generation of wearable and flexible displays, creating entirely new demand vectors.
The long-term economic case for a $100 silver price remains dependent on this confluence of factors. Sustained high industrial consumption, a breakdown in global supply chains, and a continued environment of monetary debasement must align. Silver has truly become a dual-catalyst metal, positioned to thrive as both a financial safe haven and a fundamental building block of the twenty-first-century green and digital economy.
Geopolitical
Gold trade in a narrow range with lack of majors dataGold is consolidating within a range of 3900-4500 due to geopolitical easing, but the US government's prolonged shutdown has now reached its longest duration, which could cost the US economy $15 billion per week and cloud the economic data, such as the labor market, which is currently weakening.
Meanwhile, the ADP Employment Change shows the private sector gained 50k jobs in October, easing concerns over the labor market. However, the ADP number usually diverges from the official NFP data, and it might not provide a clearer picture of the US labor market.
Gold prices could become more volatile when US government operations resume, providing clearer data.
Elsewhere, central banks are expected to build up their gold reserves in 3Q 2025 with an annual growth rate of 28%, providing support for the gold price.
Technically, after a long rally since Aug, the XAUUSD tends to retreat and trade in a narrow range to absorb the profit-taking pressure. XAUUSD breaches the EMA21, and trading between both flattening EMAs signals further consolidation.
By Van Ha Trinh - Financial Market Strategist at Exness
Is Germany's Economic Success Just an Illusion?Germany's benchmark DAX 40 index surged 30% over the past year, creating an impression of robust economic health. However, this performance masks a troubling reality: the index represents globally diversified multinationals whose revenues originate largely outside Germany's struggling domestic market. Behind the DAX's resilience lies fundamental decay. GDP fell 0.3% in Q2 2025, industrial output reached its lowest level since May 2020, and manufacturing declined 4.8% year-over-year. The energy-intensive sector suffered even steeper contraction at 7.5%, revealing that high input costs have become a structural, long-term threat rather than a temporary challenge.
The automotive sector exemplifies Germany's deeper crisis. Once-dominant manufacturers are losing ground in the electric vehicle transition, with their European market share in China plummeting from 24% in 2020 to just 15% in 2024. Despite leading global R&D spending at €58.4 billion in 2023, German automakers remain trapped at Level 2+ autonomy while competitors pursue full self-driving solutions. This technological lag stems from stringent regulations, complex approval processes, and critical dependencies on Chinese rare earth materials, which could trigger €45-75 billion in losses and jeopardize 1.2 million jobs.
Germany's structural rigidities compound these challenges. Federal fragmentation across 16 states paralyzes digitalization efforts, with the country ranking below the EU average in digital infrastructure despite ambitious sovereignty initiatives. The nation serves as Europe's fiscal anchor, contributing €18 billion net to the EU budget in 2024, yet this burden constrains domestic investment capacity. Meanwhile, demographic pressures persist, though immigration has stabilized the workforce; highly skilled migrants disproportionately consider leaving, threatening to transform a demographic solution into brain drain. Without radical reform to streamline bureaucracy, pivot R&D toward disruptive technologies, and retain top talent, the disconnect between the DAX and Germany's foundational economy will only widen.
Can Defense Giants Print Money During Global Chaos?General Dynamics delivered exceptional Q3 2025 results with revenue reaching $12.9 billion (up 10.6% year-over-year) and diluted EPS soaring to $3.88 (up 15.8%). The company's dual-engine growth strategy continues to drive performance: its defense segments capitalize on mandatory global rearmament driven by escalating geopolitical tensions, while Gulfstream Aerospace leverages resilient demand from high-net-worth individuals. The Aerospace segment alone grew revenue by 30.3% with operating margin expanding 100 basis points, delivering record jet deliveries as supply chains normalized. Operating margin reached 10.3% overall, with operating cash flow hitting $2.1 billion—an extraordinary 199% of net earnings.
The defense portfolio secures decades of revenue visibility through strategic programs, most notably the $130 billion Columbia-class submarine program, which represents the U.S. Navy's top acquisition priority. General Dynamics European Land Systems has secured a €3 billion contract from Germany for next-generation reconnaissance vehicles, capitalizing on record European defense spending that reached €343 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach €381 billion in 2025. The Technology division strengthened its position with $2.75 billion in recent IT modernization contracts, deploying AI, machine learning, and advanced cybersecurity capabilities for critical military infrastructure. The company's 3,340-patent portfolio, with over 45% still active, reinforces its competitive moat in nuclear propulsion, autonomous systems, and signals intelligence.
However, significant operational headwinds persist in the Naval segment. The Columbia-class program faces a 12-to 16-month delay, with the first delivery now anticipated between late 2028 and early 2029, driven by supply chain fragility and specialized workforce shortages. Late delivery of major components forces complex out-of-sequence construction work, while the defense industrial base struggles with critical skill gaps in nuclear-certified welders and specialized engineers. Management emphasizes that the upcoming year will be pivotal for driving productivity improvements and margin recovery in Naval operations.
Despite near-term challenges, General Dynamics' balanced portfolio positions it for sustained outperformance. The combination of non-discretionary defense spending, technological superiority in strategic systems, and robust free cash flow generation provides resilience against volatility. Success in stabilizing the submarine industrial base will determine long-term margin trajectory, but the company's strategic depth and cash generation capability support continued alpha generation in an increasingly uncertain global environment.
Trading Crude Oil and the Geopolitical Impact on PricesIntroduction
Crude oil is one of the most strategically significant commodities in the global economy. It fuels transportation, powers industries, and serves as a critical input for countless products ranging from plastics to fertilizers. Because of its universal importance, crude oil trading is not just a financial endeavor—it is a reflection of global political stability, economic growth, and international relations. The price of crude oil is highly sensitive to geopolitical events, including wars, sanctions, alliances, and policy changes. Understanding how geopolitical dynamics affect oil trading and pricing is vital for traders, investors, and policymakers.
1. The Fundamentals of Crude Oil Trading
Crude oil trading involves the buying and selling of oil in various markets, primarily through futures contracts on exchanges such as the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX), Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), and Dubai Mercantile Exchange (DME). These contracts allow traders to speculate on the future price of oil, hedge against risks, or facilitate physical delivery. Two main benchmark grades dominate the market: West Texas Intermediate (WTI) and Brent Crude.
WTI Crude Oil is primarily sourced from the U.S. and traded in dollars per barrel.
Brent Crude Oil is produced in the North Sea and serves as the global benchmark for pricing.
Oil prices are influenced by multiple factors, including supply and demand fundamentals, global economic growth, production levels, inventory data, transportation costs, and geopolitical events. Among these, geopolitical tensions often have the most immediate and dramatic impact.
2. Geopolitics as a Determinant of Oil Prices
The global oil market is uniquely vulnerable to geopolitical developments because a significant portion of reserves and production is concentrated in politically sensitive regions such as the Middle East, North Africa, and Russia. Around 60% of proven oil reserves lie in OPEC (Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries) member nations, many of which have experienced conflict, sanctions, or regime instability.
Geopolitical risk refers to the potential disruption in oil supply or transportation routes due to international conflicts, political upheaval, or policy decisions. When such risks escalate, traders often bid up oil prices in anticipation of supply shortages—even before any actual disruption occurs.
3. Historical Perspective: Major Geopolitical Events and Oil Prices
a. The 1973 Arab Oil Embargo
One of the earliest and most significant examples of geopolitically driven oil price shocks occurred in 1973 when Arab OPEC members imposed an oil embargo against the United States and other nations supporting Israel during the Yom Kippur War. Oil prices quadrupled within months, leading to inflation, recession, and a global energy crisis. The embargo demonstrated the power of oil as a political weapon and the vulnerability of consumer nations.
b. The Iranian Revolution (1979)
The overthrow of the Shah of Iran and the subsequent decline in Iranian oil production reduced global supply by nearly 5%. This shortage, coupled with the Iran-Iraq War (1980–1988), sent prices soaring again. The resulting volatility highlighted how political instability in a single oil-producing nation could ripple through the entire global economy.
c. The Gulf War (1990–1991)
Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait disrupted nearly 5 million barrels per day of oil production. The U.S.-led coalition’s response and the ensuing war created massive uncertainty in the Middle East, briefly pushing oil prices above $40 per barrel—a significant level for that time.
d. The Iraq War (2003)
The U.S. invasion of Iraq reignited geopolitical fears about supply disruptions. Although global production eventually stabilized, the war contributed to sustained higher oil prices in the early 2000s, further compounded by rapid industrialization in China and India.
e. The Arab Spring (2010–2011)
The wave of protests across the Middle East and North Africa led to regime changes and unrest in key producers such as Libya and Egypt. The civil war in Libya, in particular, cut oil output by over one million barrels per day, causing Brent crude prices to exceed $120 per barrel.
f. Russia-Ukraine Conflict (2014 and 2022)
Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 and its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 significantly disrupted global energy markets. As one of the world’s largest oil and gas exporters, Russia faced Western sanctions that restricted exports, insurance, and financing. In early 2022, Brent crude spiked above $130 per barrel, reflecting fears of prolonged supply shortages and energy insecurity across Europe.
4. Channels Through Which Geopolitics Impacts Oil Prices
Geopolitical events influence oil prices through several interconnected channels:
a. Supply Disruptions
Conflicts or sanctions can directly reduce oil supply by damaging infrastructure, limiting production, or restricting exports. For example, sanctions on Iran in 2012 and again in 2018 led to significant declines in its oil exports, tightening global supply.
b. Transportation and Shipping Risks
Chokepoints such as the Strait of Hormuz, Suez Canal, and Bab el-Mandeb Strait are vital for global oil transportation. Any military conflict or threat in these areas immediately raises concerns about shipping disruptions, leading to higher prices. Nearly 20% of global oil passes through the Strait of Hormuz daily.
c. Speculative Reactions
Traders and hedge funds respond quickly to geopolitical news, often amplifying price movements. Futures markets price in expected risks, causing volatility even when actual supply remains unaffected.
d. Strategic Reserves and Policy Responses
Nations often release oil from strategic reserves or negotiate production increases through OPEC to stabilize markets. For example, the U.S. and IEA (International Energy Agency) coordinated strategic reserve releases in 2022 to offset supply disruptions caused by the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
e. Currency Movements
Since oil is traded in U.S. dollars, geopolitical tensions that weaken the dollar or create global uncertainty can influence oil prices. A weaker dollar often makes oil cheaper for non-U.S. buyers, boosting demand and raising prices.
5. OPEC and Geopolitical Strategy
The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), formed in 1960, and its extended alliance OPEC+, which includes Russia, play a pivotal role in determining oil supply and prices. The organization uses coordinated production quotas to manage global prices, often aligning decisions with geopolitical interests.
For instance:
In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, OPEC+ cut production by nearly 10 million barrels per day to support collapsing prices.
In 2023, Saudi Arabia and Russia announced voluntary cuts to maintain price stability amid slowing demand and Western sanctions.
OPEC’s policies are inherently geopolitical, balancing the economic needs of producers with the political relationships among member states and major consumer nations.
6. Energy Transition and the New Geopolitics of Oil
The growing global emphasis on renewable energy and decarbonization is reshaping the geopolitical landscape of oil trading. As nations transition to cleaner energy, oil-producing countries face the challenge of maintaining revenue while managing political stability.
However, this transition also introduces new geopolitical dependencies—for example, on lithium, cobalt, and rare earth metals used in electric vehicle batteries. While demand for oil may gradually plateau, geopolitical risks remain as nations compete over new energy supply chains.
Additionally, U.S. shale production has transformed the country from a net importer to a major exporter, reducing its vulnerability to Middle Eastern geopolitics but also introducing new market dynamics. Shale producers can ramp up or scale down production relatively quickly, acting as a “shock absorber” to global price swings.
7. The Role of Technology and Market Transparency
Technological advancements in trading—especially algorithmic and data-driven models—have increased market liquidity but also heightened sensitivity to news. Real-time tracking of geopolitical developments via satellites, social media, and analytics platforms allows traders to react instantly.
For example, satellite data showing tanker movements or refinery fires can trigger immediate price adjustments. The intersection of AI, big data, and geopolitics now defines modern oil trading strategies, with traders assessing both quantitative signals and qualitative geopolitical intelligence.
8. Managing Geopolitical Risk in Oil Trading
Professional oil traders and corporations employ various strategies to manage geopolitical risks:
Diversification: Sourcing oil from multiple regions to minimize reliance on unstable producers.
Hedging: Using futures, options, and swaps to lock in prices and reduce exposure to volatility.
Scenario Analysis: Running stress tests based on potential geopolitical outcomes (e.g., war, sanctions, embargoes).
Political Risk Insurance: Protecting investments against losses due to government actions or conflict.
Strategic Reserves: Governments maintain emergency stockpiles to stabilize supply during crises.
In addition, diplomatic engagement and international cooperation—such as IEA coordination or U.N.-mediated negotiations—can help mitigate disruptions and maintain market balance.
9. The Future Outlook: Geopolitics and the Oil Market
As of the mid-2020s, the global oil market faces a new era of geopolitical uncertainty. Key issues shaping the future include:
The U.S.-China rivalry, which may influence energy trade routes and technological access.
Middle Eastern realignments, including normalization of relations between former rivals and shifting alliances.
Climate policy conflicts, as nations balance carbon reduction commitments with economic growth needs.
Sanctions regimes on Russia, Iran, and Venezuela, which continue to restrict global supply flexibility.
The digitalization of trading, which increases speed and transparency but also amplifies volatility.
Although long-term demand growth may slow due to renewable energy adoption, oil will remain a central geopolitical and economic asset for decades. The world’s dependence on energy ensures that geopolitics will continue to shape price trends, investment decisions, and market psychology.
Conclusion
Crude oil trading is not merely a reflection of supply and demand; it is a barometer of global stability and geopolitical tension. From the 1973 oil embargo to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, political decisions have repeatedly proven capable of reshaping energy markets. For traders and policymakers alike, understanding the geopolitical dimensions of oil is crucial for navigating price volatility and maintaining economic resilience.
As the energy transition accelerates, the nature of geopolitical risk will evolve—but it will not disappear. The intersection of oil, politics, and global economics will continue to define international relations and financial markets, ensuring that crude oil remains one of the world’s most geopolitically sensitive and closely watched commodities.
Can One Company Break China's Rare Earth Stranglehold?Lynas Rare Earths Limited (OTCPK: LYSCF / ASX: LYC) has emerged as the Western world's strategic counterweight to Chinese dominance in rare earth minerals, positioning itself as critical infrastructure rather than merely a mining company. As the only significant producer of separated rare earths outside Chinese control, Lynas supplies materials essential for advanced defense systems, electric vehicles, and clean energy technologies. The company's transformation reflects an urgent geopolitical imperative: Western nations can no longer tolerate dependence on China, which controls nearly 90% of global rare earth refining capacity and previously held 99% of heavy rare earth processing. This monopoly has enabled Beijing to weaponize critical minerals as diplomatic leverage, prompting the U.S., Japan, and Australia to intervene with unprecedented financial backing and strategic partnerships.
The confluence of government support validates Lynas's indispensable role in allied supply chain security. The U.S. Department of Defense awarded a $120 million contract for domestic heavy rare earth separation capability in Texas, while Japan's government provided A$200 million in financing to secure priority NdPr supply through 2038. Australia committed A$1.2 billion to a Critical Minerals Reserve, and U.S. officials are exploring equity stakes in strategic projects. This state-backed capital fundamentally alters Lynas's risk profile, stabilizing revenue through defense contracts and sovereign agreements that transcend traditional commodity market volatility. The company's recent A$750 million equity placement demonstrates investor confidence that geopolitical alignment overrides cyclical price concerns.
Lynas's technical achievements cement its strategic moat. The company successfully achieved the first production of separated heavy rare earth oxides—dysprosium and terbium—outside China, eliminating the West's most critical military supply vulnerability. Its proprietary HREE separation circuit can produce up to 1,500 tonnes annually, while the high-grade Mt Weld deposit provides exceptional cost advantages. The October 2025 partnership with U.S.-based Noveon Magnetics creates a complete mine-to-magnet supply chain using verified non-Chinese materials, addressing downstream bottlenecks where China also dominates magnet manufacturing. Geographic diversification across Australia, Malaysia, and Texas provides operational redundancy, though permitting challenges at the Seadrift facility reveal the friction inherent in forcing rapid industrial development onto allied soil.
The company's strategic significance is perhaps most starkly demonstrated by its targeting in the DRAGONBRIDGE influence operation, a Chinese state-aligned disinformation campaign using thousands of fake social media accounts to spread negative narratives about Lynas facilities. The U.S. Department of Defense publicly acknowledged this threat, confirming Lynas's status as a national defense proxy. This adversarial attention, combined with robust intellectual property protections and government commitments to defend operational stability, suggests that Lynas's valuation must account for factors beyond traditional mining metrics—it represents the West's collective bet on achieving mineral independence from an increasingly assertive China.
Could One Alaskan Mine Reshape Global Power?Nova Minerals Limited has emerged as a strategically critical asset in the escalating U.S.-China resource competition, with its stock surging over 100% to reach a 52-week high. The catalyst is a $43.4 million U.S. Department of War funding award under the Defense Production Act to develop domestic military-grade antimony production in Alaska. Antimony, a Tier 1 critical mineral essential for defense munitions, armor, and advanced electronics, is currently imported by the U.S. in its entirety, with China and Russia controlling the global market. This acute dependency, coupled with China's recent export restrictions on rare earths and antimony, has elevated Nova from mining explorer to national security priority.
The company's dual-asset strategy offers investors exposure to both sovereign-critical antimony and high-grade gold reserves at its Estelle Project. With gold prices exceeding $4,000 per ounce amid geopolitical uncertainty, Nova's fast-payback RPM gold deposit (projected sub-one-year payback) provides crucial cash flow to self-fund the capital-intensive antimony development. The company has secured government backing for a fully integrated Alaskan supply chain from mine to military-grade refinery, bypassing foreign-controlled processing nodes. This vertical integration directly addresses supply chain vulnerabilities that policymakers now treat as wartime-level threats, evidenced by the Department of Defense's renaming to the Department of War.
Nova's operational advantage stems from implementing advanced X-Ray Transmission ore sorting technology, achieving a 4.33x grade upgrade while rejecting 88.7% of waste material. This innovation reduces capital requirements by 20-40% for water and energy, cuts tailings volume up to 60%, and strengthens environmental compliance critical for navigating Alaska's regulatory framework. The company has already secured land use permits for its Port MacKenzie refinery and is on track for initial production by 2027-2028. However, long-term scalability depends on the proposed $450 million West Susitna Access Road, with environmental approval expected in Winter 2025.
Despite receiving equivalent Department of War validation as peers like Perpetua Resources (market cap ~$2.4 billion) and MP Materials, Nova's current enterprise value of $222 million suggests significant undervaluation. The company has been invited to brief the Australian Government ahead of the October 20 Albanese-Trump summit, where critical minerals supply chain security tops the agenda. This diplomatic elevation, combined with JPMorgan's $1.5 trillion Security and Resiliency Initiative, which targets critical minerals, positions Nova as a cornerstone investment in Western supply chain independence. Success hinges on disciplined execution of technical milestones and securing major strategic partnerships to fund the estimated A$200-300 million full-scale development.
Can China Weaponize the Elements We Need Most?China's dominance over rare earth element (REE) processing has transformed these strategic materials into a geopolitical weapon. While China controls approximately 69% of global mining, its true leverage lies in processing, where it commands over 90% of Global capacity and 92% of permanent magnet manufacturing. Beijing's 2025 export controls exploit this chokehold, requiring licenses for REE technologies used even outside China, effectively extending regulatory control over global supply chains. This "long-arm jurisdiction" threatens critical industries from semiconductor manufacturing to defense systems, with immediate impacts on companies like ASML facing shipment delays and US chipmakers scrambling to audit their supply chains.
The strategic vulnerability runs deep through Western industrial capacity. A single F-35 fighter jet requires over 900 pounds of REEs, while Virginia-class submarines need 9,200 pounds. The discovery of Chinese-made components in US defense systems illustrates the security risk. Simultaneously, the electric vehicle revolution guarantees exponential demand growth. EV motor demand alone is projected to reach 43 kilotons in 2025, driven by the prevalence of permanent magnet synchronous motors that lock the global economy into persistent REE dependency.
Western responses through the EU Critical Raw Materials Act and US strategic financing establish ambitious diversification targets, yet industry analysis reveals a harsh reality: concentration risk will persist through 2035. The EU aims for 40% domestic processing by 2030, but projections show the top three suppliers will maintain their stranglehold, effectively returning to 2020 concentration levels. This gap between political ambition and physical execution stems from formidable barriers environmental permitting challenges, massive capital requirements, and China's strategic shift from exporting raw materials to manufacturing high-value downstream products that capture maximum economic value.
For investors, the VanEck Rare Earth/Strategic Metals ETF (REMX) operates as a direct proxy for geopolitical risk rather than traditional commodity exposure. Neodymium oxide prices, which plummeted from $209.30 per kilogram in January 2023 to $113.20 in January 2024, are projected to surge to $150.10 by October 2025 volatility driven not by physical scarcity but by regulatory announcements and supply chain weaponization. The investment thesis hinges on three pillars: China's processing monopoly converted into political leverage, exponential green technology demand establishing a robust price floor, and Western industrial policy guaranteeing long-term financing for diversification. Success will favor companies establishing verifiable, resilient supply chains in downstream processing and magnet manufacturing outside China, though the high costs of secure supply, including mandatory cybersecurity auditing and environmental compliance, ensure elevated prices for the foreseeable future.
Why Did Cheap Lumber Become a National Security Issue?Lumber prices have entered a structurally elevated regime, driven by the convergence of trade policy, industrial capacity constraints, and emerging technological demand. The U.S. administration's imposition of Section 232 tariffs - 10% on softwood lumber and up to 25% on wood products like cabinets - reframes timber as critical infrastructure essential for defense systems, power grids, and transportation networks. This national security designation provides legal durability, preventing a quick reversal through trade negotiations and establishing a permanent price floor. Meanwhile, Canadian producers facing combined duties exceeding 35% are pivoting exports toward Asian and European markets, permanently reducing North American supply by over 3.2 billion board feet annually that domestic mills cannot quickly replace.
The domestic industry faces compounding structural deficits that prevent rapid capacity expansion. U.S. sawmill utilization languishes at 64.4% despite demand, constrained not by timber availability but by severe labor shortages—the average logging contractor age exceeds 57, with one-third planning retirement within five years. This workforce crisis forces expensive automation investments while climate-driven wildfires introduce recurring supply shocks. Simultaneously, cybersecurity vulnerabilities in digitized mill operations pose quantifiable risks, with manufacturing ransomware attacks causing an estimated $17 billion in downtime since 2018. These operational constraints compound tariff costs, with new home prices increasing $7,500 to $22,000 before builder markups and financing costs amplify the final impact by nearly 15%.
Technological innovation is fundamentally reshaping demand patterns beyond traditional housing cycles. Cross-laminated timber (CLT) markets are growing at 13-15% annually as mass timber products displace steel and concrete in commercial construction, while wood-based nanomaterials enter high-tech applications from transparent glass substitutes to biodegradable electronics. This creates resilient demand for premium-grade wood fiber across diversified industrial sectors. Combined with precision forestry technologies - drones, LiDAR, and advanced logistics software—these innovations both support higher price points and require substantial capital investment that further elevates the cost baseline.
The financialization of lumber through CME futures markets amplifies these fundamental pressures, with prices reaching $1,711 per thousand board feet in 2021 and attracting speculative capital that magnifies volatility. Investors must recognize this convergence of geopolitical mandates, chronic supply deficits, cyber-physical risks, and technology-driven demand shifts as establishing a permanently elevated price regime. The era of cheap lumber has definitively come to an end, replaced by a high-cost, high-volatility environment that requires sophisticated supply chain resilience and financial hedging strategies.
Can One Fund Bridge the $13 Trillion Private Market Gap?The ERShares Private-Public Crossover ETF (XOVR) represents a groundbreaking financial innovation that democratizes access to private equity investments, which have traditionally been reserved for institutional players and accredited investors. Following a strategic relaunch in August 2024, the fund has experienced remarkable growth, with assets under management reaching $481.5 million and attracting over $120 million in inflows since its initial SpaceX Investment. Built on Dr. Joel Shulman's proprietary "Entrepreneur Factor" methodology, XOVR combines the proven ER30TR Index (which accounts for over 85% of its portfolio) with carefully selected private equity holdings, creating a unique structure that offers daily liquidity and transparency while capturing pre-IPO value creation.
The fund's investment thesis centers on identifying companies at the convergence of technology, national security, and global strategy. Its marquee private holdings - SpaceX and Anduril Industries - exemplify this approach, representing critical players in a privatized defense industrial base. SpaceX has evolved beyond a commercial space company into a geostrategic asset through Starlink, which serves as essential communication infrastructure in modern conflicts, such as Ukraine. Anduril's AI-powered Lattice platform and its recent $159 million contract with the U.S. Army for mixed reality systems illustrate the military's shift towards agile, software-focused defense solutions. Both companies have constructed formidable competitive moats through technological innovation and robust intellectual property portfolios.
XOVR's performance validates its high-conviction strategy, delivering a 33.46% total return over the past year compared to its benchmark's 26.48%, with three-year annualized returns of 28.11%. The fund's concentrated approach - with top ten holdings comprising over 50% of the portfolio - is a deliberate design choice that enables outsized returns by taking conviction positions in category-defining innovators. Rather than following market trends, XOVR positions investors at the source of innovation, leveraging its unique structure to identify and access the next generation of disruptive companies with the potential to become tomorrow's market leaders.
The fund represents more than an investment vehicle; it embodies a fundamental shift in capital allocation that recognizes the blurring lines between public and private enterprise. By combining the accessibility and liquidity of public markets with the growth potential of private investments, XOVR offers retail investors unprecedented access to value creation opportunities that were once the exclusive domain of institutional players, positioning them to participate in the technological and strategic innovations that will define the next decade.
How Does a Silent Giant Dominate Critical Technologies?Teledyne Technologies has quietly established itself as a formidable force across defense, aerospace, marine, and space markets through a disciplined strategy of strategic positioning and technological integration. The company recently reported record Q2 2025 results with net sales of $1.51 billion (10.2% increase) and demonstrated exceptional organic growth across all business segments. This performance reflects not market timing but the culmination of deliberate long-term positioning at the intersection of mission-critical, high-barrier-to-entry markets where geopolitical factors create natural competitive advantages.
The company's strategic acumen is exemplified by products like the Black Hornet Nano micro-UAV, which has proven its tactical value in conflicts from Afghanistan to Ukraine, and the emerging Black Recon autonomous drone system for armored vehicles. Teledyne has strengthened its market position through geopolitically aligned partnerships, such as its collaboration with Japan's ACSL for NDAA-compliant drone solutions, effectively turning regulatory compliance into a competitive moat against non-allied competitors. The 2021 acquisition of FLIR Systems for $8.2 billion demonstrated horizontal integration mastery, with thermal imaging technology now deployed across multiple product lines and market segments.
Teledyne's competitive advantage extends beyond products to intellectual property dominance, holding 5,131 patents globally with an exceptional 85.6% USPTO grant rate. These patents span imaging and photonics (38%), defense and aerospace electronics (33%), and scientific instrumentation (29%), with frequent citations by industry giants like Boeing and Samsung indicating their foundational nature. The company's $474 million annual R&D investment, supported by 4,700 engineers with advanced degrees, ensures continuous innovation while building legal barriers against competitors.
The company has proactively positioned itself to meet emerging regulatory requirements, particularly the Department of Defense's new Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) mandate, which takes effect in October 2025. Teledyne's existing cybersecurity infrastructure and certifications provide a crucial advantage in meeting these standards, creating an additional "compliance moat" that will likely enable the company to capture increased defense contract opportunities as competitors struggle with new requirements.
Can Sound Waves Become Tomorrow's Shield Against Global Chaos?Genasys Inc. (NASDAQ: GNSS) operates at the convergence of escalating global instability and technological innovation, positioning itself as a critical player in the protective communications sector. The company's sophisticated portfolio combines its proprietary Long Range Acoustic Device (LRAD) systems with the cloud-first Genasys Protect software platform, serving over 155 million individuals across more than 100 countries. With law enforcement agencies in over 500 U.S. cities utilizing LRAD systems for applications ranging from SWAT operations to crowd control, Genasys has established itself as the global standard in acoustic hailing devices, delivering messages 20-30 decibels louder and with superior intelligibility compared to traditional systems.
The company's growth trajectory aligns with powerful macroeconomic forces driving unprecedented demand for protective communications. Global defense spending surged to $2.718 trillion in 2024—a 9.4% increase representing the steepest rise since 1988—while the critical infrastructure protection market is projected to grow from $148.64 billion in 2024 to $213.94 billion by 2032. Genasys's integrated solutions directly address this expanding market through non-kinetic de-escalation capabilities and cyber-physical threat mitigation, recently securing $1 million in LRAD orders for the Middle East and Africa as geopolitical tensions intensify.
Genasys's competitive advantage rests on a robust foundation of 17 registered patents, particularly in acoustic hailing technology, creating significant barriers to entry while enabling premium pricing. The company's $4.2 million annual R&D investment ensures continued innovation, while strategic partnerships like its collaboration with FloodMapp demonstrate the platform's evolution toward predictive threat mitigation rather than merely reactive response. Despite current profitability challenges—with Q3 2025 net losses of $6.5 million—the company maintains a substantial project backlog exceeding $16 million, plus the transformative $40 million Puerto Rico Early Warning System project expected to generate $15-20 million in fiscal 2025 revenue.
The investment thesis centers on Genasys's unique positioning to capitalize on the global shift toward sophisticated, non-lethal security solutions amid rising geopolitical instability. With percentage-of-completion accounting currently suppressing gross margins to 26.3% but promising significant margin expansion as major projects near completion, the company represents a compelling opportunity for investors seeking exposure to defense, public safety, and critical infrastructure growth markets. The convergence of technological superiority, strategic market positioning, and substantial revenue visibility through confirmed backlog suggests significant long-term potential despite near-term financial complexities.
U.S. Slaps 39% Tariff on Swiss Gold BarsU.S. Slaps 39% Tariff on Swiss Gold Bars, Shaking the Global Bullion Market
By Hirad Aryanejad – Macroeconomic & Gold Markets Analyst
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The United States has moved to impose a 39% tariff on imports of one-kilogram and 100-ounce gold bars from Switzerland — a shock decision that could ripple across the global bullion market.
In a letter dated July 31, 2025, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reclassified these widely traded bullion products — critical to the Comex futures market — as “semi-manufactured”, making them subject to duties.
Previously, they were classified as “unwrought, nonmonetary gold” , exempting them from earlier tariff rounds.
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A Blow to the World’s Largest Refining Hub
The decision follows former President Donald Trump’s broader tariff package on all Swiss goods, announced after rejecting Switzerland’s proposal for a 10% tariff in exchange for \$150 billion in U.S.-bound investment.
Switzerland — the world’s largest gold refining hub — exported roughly $61.5 billion in gold to the U.S. over the 12 months ending June 2025. The new tariff could add nearly $24 billion in duties.
Christoph Wild, President of the Swiss Association of Manufacturers and Traders of Precious Metals, called the ruling “another blow” to Swiss-U.S. gold trade, warning that exports may become “economically unviable”.
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Market Reaction: Record Gold Prices
The ruling triggered an immediate market shock. Gold futures in New York surged past $3,500 per troy ounce, hitting a record $3,534 on August 8, before pulling back slightly.
Analysts say the rally was driven by both the tariff announcement and gold’s safe-haven appeal amid escalating trade tensions and geopolitical uncertainty.
Some traders described the CBP’s decision as “shocking” and possibly mistaken, predicting legal challenges ahead. The lack of clarity has already caused certain shipments to freeze in transit.
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The Critical Role of Switzerland in Bullion Logistics
Global bullion trade depends on a triangular supply chain:
Raw gold refined in Switzerland Cast into kilo bars for the U.S. market or 400-ounce bars for London Delivered to satisfy Comex contracts and central bank reserves
This logistical network is now under threat. UBS strategist Joni Teves has questioned whether U.S. gold futures trading can remain viable if tariffs on deliverable products persist.
The Swiss Precious Metals Association noted that the CBP’s clarification applies to all 1kg and 100oz gold bars imported into the U.S. not only those from Switzerland — raising the stakes for global trade flows.
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Negotiations and Uncertainty Ahead
Switzerland continues to negotiate with Washington to reduce the tariff burden, but uncertainty remains.
The White House is reportedly preparing a clarification on the bullion tariffs that could determine whether the market stabilizes or faces prolonged disruption.
Until then, gold industry players — from major banks to refining houses — are bracing for further volatility, both in pricing and physical supply chains.
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Keywords: gold market news, Swiss gold bars, U.S. gold tariffs, Comex gold futures, bullion trade, Switzerland gold exports, precious metals refining, gold price surge, macroeconomic analysis.
Is a Spider's Silk the New Steel and Kevlar?Kraig Biocraft Laboratories, Inc. is a leading biotechnology company that has pioneered a scalable method for producing genetically engineered spider silk. By leveraging the domesticated silkworm as a "microfactory," the company has overcome the challenges of traditional spider farming. Its proprietary gene-editing technology inserts specific spider silk protein genes into silkworms, enabling them to spin high-performance fibers like Dragon Silk™ and Monster Silk®. This unique approach provides a cost-effective and efficient manufacturing platform, setting the company apart from competitors who rely on expensive fermentation-based methods.
The resulting material possesses properties that exceed those of conventional high-performance fibers. Genetically engineered spider silk is renowned for its exceptional toughness and tensile strength, a combination that makes it stronger than steel and tougher than Kevlar, while remaining remarkably lightweight. This unique blend of characteristics positions the company to capitalize on the rapidly expanding technical fibers and biomaterials markets, which are valued at billions of dollars annually. The company's production platform offers a significant competitive advantage in creating high-value materials for a wide range of industries.
This groundbreaking material has substantial strategic and geopolitical implications, particularly for defense and security. Its superior strength and energy absorption capabilities make it an ideal candidate for applications such as advanced ballistic protection and lightweight military gear. The company has engaged in collaborative agreements with government agencies, further validating its technology and demonstrating its strategic importance. Beyond defense, the material's potential extends to aerospace, high-end textiles, and advanced medical devices like sutures and implants.
Furthermore, Kraig Biocraft Laboratories’ technology offers a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based synthetics. The spider silk is a protein-based, biodegradable fiber, and its production process is less resource-intensive. This focus on sustainability and scalability aligns with the growing global demand for eco-friendly materials. By combining innovative technology, superior material performance, and a clear path to commercialization, Kraig Biocraft Laboratories is poised to be a pivotal player in the future of advanced materials.
XAU/USD Weekly Update — July 14, 2025⌛Timeframe:
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📆 Date: July 14, 2025
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🎯 Weekly Bias: Mildly Bullish — elevated risk, cautious momentum
🔎 Market Overview:
🛡️ Safe‑haven demand surging:
Renewed 30% tariffs on EU, Mexico, Canada have pushed investors into gold, lifting prices to a 3-week high.
📉 Weak USD & inflation hedge:
A softer U.S. dollar, under pressure from dovish Fed speculation, continues to support gold. A predicted September rate cut further boosts gold’s appeal.
🏦 Central bank accumulation:
Q1 2025 saw record demand from central banks (≈244 tonnes), with many reallocating reserves toward gold for geopolitical and de-dollarization reasons.
📈 YTD performance standout:
Gold is up ~27% this year, leading other assets. Bullish technical indicators like tightening Bollinger Bands and sustained MACD support continuation.
🌀 Market Sentiment:
🔽 Exchange reserves continue dropping:
Indicative of increased HODLing and lower upcoming sell pressure.
🧠 Sentiment firmly bullish:
Analysts highlight risk‑off bias; gold remains favored amid trade tensions.
🤝 ETF inflows & institutional buying:
Strong flows through gold ETFs and central bank buying reflect ongoing structural support.
🔧 Technical Analysis:
📊 Weekly Movement: +1.9% weekly gain, now at $3,367.
✅ Key Levels:
🔻 Resistance: $3,374 → $3,400
🔺 Support: $3,350 → $3,331
🟢 Signals: Mild bearish RSI divergence hints at short-term pause
🟢 Weekly Bias: Mildly Bullish — momentum favored, but caution amid technical divergence.
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⚠️ Risk Reminder: For educational purposes only — not financial advice. Utilize prudent risk management.
👍 If this update helps, hit like, comment your view, and follow for timely XAUUSD alerts!
Risk and Probability in Trading — Why Risk Assessment MattersRisk and Probability in Trading — Why Risk Assessment Matters More Than Chasing the “Holy Grail”
In trading, most participants and analysts are focused on finding the so-called “Holy Grail” — the perfect entry point where the price moves in the desired direction and yields profit. However, few actually assess the risks involved, as if success is possible without factoring them in. Market reviews are often filled with levels, forecasts, and price directions, but rarely include probability estimates or potential losses.
In my view, the real Holy Grail isn't a guaranteed profitable entry, but a scenario where the market offers a position with minimal risk relative to historical context. To identify such setups, we need a risk scale based on historical data — how favorable the current risk-to-reward ratio is compared to the past.
It’s also crucial to understand that no one can predict price direction with certainty. The key to opening a position is not hope, but evaluating all possible scenarios — upward, downward, or sideways — and knowing the outcome in each case. Risk management is more than just placing a stop-loss; it’s a structured approach that should be central to any trading strategy.
What Are Minimal Risks?
“Minimal risk” is a relative concept — it only makes sense when measured against a defined scale. Building such a scale requires historical statistics: what were the maximum and minimum losses and profits for similar positions in the past?
Profit-to-Loss Ratio
The idea behind the search for the “Holy Grail” is to find moments when the market offers the best possible profit-to-risk ratio. For example, if the current ratio is 10, and historically it has ranged from 0 (low risk) to 100 (high risk), then 10 may be a good entry point. If the ratio approaches 80–90, it signals that the position is extremely risky.
Why Are Probability and Risk Assessment Important?
Market reviews often talk about resistance levels, volatility, and price direction — but rarely address the risks of different scenarios. No expert can predict market movements with certainty — if they could, they’d be billionaires. Opening positions without accounting for risks and scenario probabilities is extremely dangerous.
How to Factor in Risks When Entering a Position
The key question is: what will the profit-to-loss ratio be after entering a position, depending on whether the price goes up, down, or stays flat? It’s important to understand the consequences of each case and make decisions based on risk assessment.
Risk Management Must Account for the Inability to React Instantly
Conventional tools like stop-losses and limit orders often fail to protect capital effectively during sudden price spikes. These tools are particularly vulnerable when market makers or high-frequency algorithms trigger stop levels en masse.
This highlights the need for more resilient risk management instruments — ones that can respond to volatility instantly and automatically. Options are one such tool, capable of limiting losses regardless of market dynamics.
Without robust risk management, long-term profitability becomes statistically unlikely. Sooner or later, the market will present a scenario that can wipe out your capital — unless you’re properly protected.
Important note: this is not an endorsement of options or any specific broker. It’s simply a conclusion based on the logic of building effective capital protection. If a broker only provides access to linear instruments (futures, spot, stocks) without the ability to hedge, it will inevitably lead to capital erosion — even for systematic traders.
And if this article gets more than 100 rockets, I’ll continue sharing specific examples of low-risk trading assessments.
Crude Oil Prices Rocketing amid geopolitical risks
NYMEX:CL1! NYMEX:MCL1! NYMEX:BZ1!
Macro:
Geopolitical tensions remain high and markets are now likely to price in our scenario discussing ongoing air and missile war, given one-off intervention from the US thus far. According to Reuters, the U.S. now assesses that Iranian retaliation could occur within the next two days.What happens next is anybody’s guess but as traders, it is important to navigate these uncertainties with scenario planning and/or reduce risk to account for increased volatility.
We also get Services and Manufacturing PMI data today and PCE Price Index on Friday. Chair Powell is set to testify on Tuesday 9am CT.
Key levels:
Jan 2025 High: 76.57
2025 High: 78.40
2025 CVAH(Composite Value Area High): 75.68
Key LIS zone: 73.50-73.15
We anticipate the following scenarios in crude oil:
Scenario 1:
Prices remain elevated as tensions remain high, despite limited retaliation, however, the situation overall now escalated beyond return to diplomacy.
Scenario 2:
Any push towards de-escalation, unlikely in our analysis, but given the headline risk, crude prices may remain volatile and come off the highs.
Given our key LIS (Line in Sand) zone above, we favor longs above this and shorts below this zone.
S&P 500 Daily Chart Analysis For Week of June 20, 2025Technical Analysis and Outlook:
The S&P 500 Index has primarily exhibited downward trends during this week’s abbreviated trading session, narrowly failing to reach the targeted Mean Support level of 5940, as outlined in the previous Daily Chart Analysis. Currently, the index exhibits a bearish trend, suggesting a potential direction toward the Mean Support level of 5940, with an additional critical support level identified at 5888.
Contrariwise, there exists a substantial likelihood that following the accomplishment of hitting the Mean Support of 5940, the index may experience recovery and ascend toward the Mean Resistance level of 6046. This upward movement could facilitate a resilient rally, ultimately topping in the completion of the Outer Index Rally at 6073, thereby enabling the index to address the Key Resistance level situated at 6150.
EUR/USD Daily Chart Analysis For Week of June 20, 2025Technical Analysis and Outlook:
During this week's trading session, the Eurodollar has encountered a significant decline, dipping below the Mean Support level of 1.149; however, it exhibited a modest recovery on Friday. Recent analyses indicate that the Euro is likely to decrease further to the Mean Support level of 1.148, with the potential for extending its bearish trend to reach 1.140. Nevertheless, there remains a possibility that the current recovery will persist, which could result in price movements targeting the Key Resistance level at 1.158 and potentially leading to a retest of the Outer Currency Rally's 1.163 mark.
Bitcoin(BTC/USD) Daily Chart Analysis For Week of June 20, 2025Technical Analysis and Outlook:
In the recent trading session, Bitcoin exhibited an upward trend; however, it subsequently experienced a significant decline from the established Mean Resistance level at 110300. On Friday, Bitcoin exhibited notable price action, characterized by a pump-and-dump scenario. At this juncture, Bitcoin is retracing downwards as it seeks to approach the Mean Support level at 101500 and the ultimate Inner Coin Dip at 96500. It is essential to acknowledge the potential for an upward rally from the Mean Support levels of $101500 and/or the Inner Coin Dip at $96500. Such a rally could culminate in a retest of the Mean Resistance level at $107000.
Rising Geopolitical Tension (Iran Conflict) Signals Market RiskMoving Partially to Cash (VEA, QQQ, TQQQ, SPY, TECL, SOXL)
The global market is entering a high-risk environment. Geopolitical escalation, particularly the growing threat of direct US involvement in a military conflict with Iran, is pushing global uncertainty to new highs. Tensions in the Middle East, rising oil and gold volatility, and increased friction between major world powers all point toward a potential market breakdown. On the chart, VEA ETF is showing signs of topping out within a rising wedge pattern. Meanwhile, institutional funds are starting to reduce exposure to high-risk assets. I'm taking partial profits and shifting to cash across VEA, QQQ, TQQQ, SPY, SOXL, and TECL to preserve gains. Buy-back zones are set around 53.00, 48.00, and 44.00. In an environment of global escalation and rapid risk-off sentiment, active portfolio defense is more important than passive hope.
WTI on high time frame , price reach 60$?
"Hello friends, focusing on WTI, the price is currently in a bullish trend on the daily time frame. During the last NY session, the price swept liquidity in the $66 zone and faced a strong rejection. Considering both technical analysis and fundamental news, I believe the price is gearing up for a decline, with the initial target likely around $60."
If you need further clarification or have more details to discuss, feel free to share!
Despite Geo-Political tensions, Nifty closes above Mother line. It was quite remarkable for Nifty to close above the Mother line (50 Hours EMA) despite the Geo-Political tensions and brewing storm of escalations at border. This shows the character of not only Indian market but the resilience of India as a nation. In yesterday's post itself we had mentioned that strong technical resistance has been reached. Add the tension and intent of India to fight against terrorism so it was a perfect recipe for a major fall. Which may happen if things escalate further next week but recovering from 23847 and to close above 24K at 24039 shows that when things will be back to normal the indices will bounce back. Resistance for Nifty now remain at 24096, 24335 and 24504. Supports for Nifty remain at 23914 (Major Mother line support) of 50 Hours EMA, 23800, 23530 and finally 23363.
While Long term players, FII, HNI and DII look at such opportunities to invest for Retail trader it becomes very difficult to control their emotions in such an environment of Geo-political pressure and then we saw a huge fall in the market. The opportunity was seized by both DII and FII with both hands as both turned net buyers for Rs.6492+ Crores. So traders / investors should always avoid knee jerk reactions. Who knows what happens during the weekend the support and resistance levels to watch out for are already mentioned in the message.
Disclaimer: The above information is provided for educational purpose, analysis and paper trading only. Please don't treat this as a buy or sell recommendation for the stock or index. The Techno-Funda analysis is based on data that is more than 3 months old. Supports and Resistances are determined by historic past peaks and Valley in the chart. Many other indicators and patterns like EMA, RSI, MACD, Volumes, Fibonacci, parallel channel etc. use historic data which is 3 months or older cyclical points. There is no guarantee they will work in future as markets are highly volatile and swings in prices are also due to macro and micro factors based on actions taken by the company as well as region and global events. Equity investment is subject to risks. I or my clients or family members might have positions in the stocks that we mention in our educational posts. We will not be responsible for any Profit or loss that may occur due to any financial decision taken based on any data provided in this message. Do consult your investment advisor before taking any financial decisions. Stop losses should be an important part of any investment in equity.






















