18 Jun

Energy costs are high and unaffordable – what utilities, governments, communities and you can do to help save consumers money

By Sanya Carley, University of Pennsylvania; Alexandra Klass, University of Michigan; Alison L. Knasin, University of Pennsylvania; David Konisky, Indiana University, and Shelley Welton, University of Pennsylvania 

For many Americans, energy bills are becoming increasingly unaffordable.

Energy prices increased approximately 30% on average from 2021 to 2026. In some places, the rates of increase have been much steeper. In the Mid-Atlantic and eastern Midwest region where several of us live, the regional electricity grid is run by PJM Interconnection, and power prices in the first quarter of 2026 were 76% higher than the same period in 2025.

These rising utility costs are a shock to many people, including those already having a hard time paying for the energy they need. In 2024, 1 in 3 American households reported struggling to pay their energy bills, and 15.1 million homes were disconnected from their electricity or gas services because the residents couldn’t pay their bill. Energy insecurity is a pervasive and potentially dangerous predicament for these millions of households, and a growing challenge for America as energy bills rise.

Energy markets, which we study, are famously complex. But many parties in these marketplaces, from the federal government to individual consumers, have opportunities to help provide Americans with affordable energy. Some may not be obvious to the casual observer, or even to savvy energy wonks.

Federal programs

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program helps households with lower incomes afford energy, particularly for heating in the winter and cooling in the summer. Historically, the funds provided by Congress – totaling about US$4 billion in 2025 – have not been enough to help everyone in need. Yet in his last two budget proposals, President Donald Trump has proposed eliminating all of the program’s funding, though Congress has so far preserved the funding.

Another federal effort, the Weatherization Assistance Program, provides around $370 million a year to help people conserve energy by sealing gaps around windows and doors and increasing insulation in their homes. This program serves approximately 32,000 homes, saving each household an average of $372 in direct energy expenses each year.

Entities that run the electricity grid

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and state public utility commissions jointly regulate the nation’s electricity grid. Federal law requires them to ensure that electricity prices and practices are “just and reasonable.” They can use their authority to ensure that the grid is built and run efficiently, that utilities do not earn outsized profits, and that electricity markets are producing fair electricity prices for consumers.

In most U.S. regions, nonprofit organizations collectively called “regional transmission organizations” are the front-line managers of the nation’s electricity grid. Under federal supervision, these utilities make rules for how to connect new power plants or other electricity generation equipment to the grid, how electricity markets run, and how transmission lines are planned and paid for.

These rules directly affect how much customers pay for power. Their implications have become clearer, as data center electricity demand has caused regional wholesale electricity market prices to soar. Research suggests that better regional planning, accelerated permission for connecting new-generation sources, and updated market design could save consumers billions of dollars.

State governments

Many states prevent utilities from disconnecting residential customers’ electricity, even if the bills aren’t paid. In Virginia, for example, utilities can’t cut power during periods of extreme hot or cold weather. In Montana, the restrictions cover specific months when cold weather is common. Pennsylvania prevents power cuts if someone in the home has a certified medical condition that makes them dependent on electricity – such as needing an oxygen tank, which can increase electricity bills by hundreds of dollars per year.

Many states, such as Maine, also run programs to weatherize homes and improve home efficiency. Illinois helps pay to install solar panels or battery storage systems in homes. These efforts lower energy bills either by directly reducing a home’s energy use or by offsetting some of that use.

These services and technologies lower energy bills by either reducing the total energy that a household needs to consume or offsetting their energy with a zero-fuel cost option. Some of us were a part of a team that in 2025 found low-income households across the United States that recently installed residential solar were 44% more likely to report being able to pay their energy bills relative to similar households that did not have solar.

Other states more directly supervise utility bills to ensure they remain within the household’s budget. For instance, Illinois offers bill discounts for many low-income households that range from 5% to 84% savings on a customer’s gas bill. And other states, like Massachusetts, require utilities to partially forgive consumers’ debt after they make some number of on-time payments that also include some repayments of what is owed.

Utility companies

Utility companies can adopt billing and repayment policies that accommodate customers’ household budgets. They can also provide detailed, public information about these programs to their customers. Often, states place specific requirements on utilities’ policies, but companies can also choose to set their own billing practices.

Utilities can identify their customers most at risk of disconnection by analyzing customers’ payment data and consumption patterns, and offer to switch them to these plans, while also steering them toward bill and weatherization assistance. Some states, like New Jersey, automatically enroll customers who are either past-due or have been disconnected into utility payment plans.

Local communities

County and municipal governments can help their residents by spreading the word about federal, state and utility assistance programs and by identifying specific people or families who may be most in need. As two examples, they can use information about households’ use of other aid programs or examine data on who is calling 311 for local nonemergency assistance.

Many communities also operate warming or cooling centers for people who cannot afford to turn on their air conditioning or heating during times of extreme temperatures. These spaces can also be safe locations for people during power outages.

And local nonprofits can support people who need help with energy costs find other support, such as food banks and low-cost transportation, which can help relieve other sources of financial stress.

Local organizations can also couple energy aid with other housing and social services, including job training, for more holistic supports for struggling households and communities.

Residents and customers

Consumers themselves have a key role in energy affordability too. First, they can avoid wasting energy by turning off lights and rarely used appliances, or washing clothes with cold water and hanging them to dry. But that isn’t likely to make a significant difference. So they can seek out help from the government, utility companies and local nonprofits.

If people have some money available, they can also invest in technologies or services that will help them keep their bills lower, such as weatherization, efficient appliances or residential solar panels.

No entity can single-handedly solve the energy affordability crisis. U.S. energy markets are highly decentralized, and high prices are the result of many factors, only some of which can be addressed through government and corporate policies and programs. We believe, however, that complexity cannot be an excuse for inaction, because energy is essential for people’s health and well-being.The Conversation

About the Authors:

Sanya Carley, Presidential Distinguished Professor of Energy Policy and City Planning, University of Pennsylvania; Alexandra Klass, James G. Degnan Professor of Law, University of Michigan; Alison L. Knasin, Lab Manager, Energy Justice Lab, University of Pennsylvania; David Konisky, Lynton K. Caldwell Professor of Public Affairs, Indiana University, and Shelley Welton, Professor of Law and Energy Policy, University of Pennsylvania

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

Energy Opinions
17 Jun

Prediction markets are opening many new opportunities for unregulated insider trading and unethical bets – in the name of making a game out of politics

By Matt Motta, Boston University and Robert Ralston, University of Birmingham 

Arrests for betting on the U.S. military operation that removed Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. Death threats from gamblers to a journalist reporting on an Iranian missile attack on Israel. Fears of government officials manipulating world events – including the Iran war – to make a quick buck.

These are some of many concerns that experts have raised about how prediction markets – online marketplaces that allow people to bet on world events – might be affecting national security in the U.S. and abroad.

But prediction markets may not be only influencing international affairs. They could also affect the 2026 midterm elections.

We are social scientists who study gambling, public policy and national security. Here are four things you need to know about how prediction markets may be changing American politics:

Prediction markets turn politics into a game

Prediction markets offer people the opportunity to bet on political events by purchasing “shares” – like stock in a company – of different potential outcomes. If an outcome takes place, the market pays out for each share purchased by those who guessed correctly. More betting activity in favor of an outcome raises its price and lowers its payout, and vice versa.

Prediction markets are different from casinos and online sportsbooks because there is no “house” – like a casino – that determines the size of the payout for correctly guessing who will win or lose a sporting event. In a prediction market, players “bet” against one another, not the house. The markets make money by charging transaction fees on each trade.

Betting on prediction markets allows users to turn many aspects of U.S. politics into a game. For example, betting on election outcomes is very popular on prediction markets. Kalshi – a popular prediction market platform – has a portion of its site specifically designated for election-related markets. That includes the chance to bet on the eventual winner of the 2028 presidential election, the margin of victory in the 2026 South Dakota primary elections and which of two Dan Sullivans could become Alaska’s next senator.

Kalshi also offers opportunities to bet on nonelection outcomes, like whether or not the Supreme Court will ban transgender girls and women from competing on “female sports teams,” or whether the government will confirm before September 2026 that aliens exist.

The gamification of politics through prediction market betting is not new. Predictit, a self-described “political prediction market,” has been operating in the U.S. for over a decade.

What has changed in recent years, however, is that prediction markets are no longer an obscure pastime enjoyed by political junkies. Prediction markets have become quite popular, and media organizations are even integrating betting market data in their political analysis. For example, Kalshi is CNN’s “official prediction markets partner.” In a segment called “The Odds,” CNN commentators often use Kalshi data to make predictions about candidates’ electoral performance.

Insider trading could affect US elections

Insider trading on prediction markets occurs when people with nonpublic information – like internal polling, military intelligence, etc. – place wagers on events. While some prediction markets are trying to crack down on the practice, insider trading could already be affecting the upcoming U.S. midterm elections.

In spring 2026, for example, NPR documented several cases where campaign staffers working on statewide campaigns admitted to using inside information about candidates’ performance in the polls to “buy low” on their candidate’s electoral prospects prior to the release of favorable polling data. Additionally, although prediction markets usually prohibit betting on one’s own campaign, both Democrats and Republicans running for political office have come under fire for betting on their own campaigns.

Betting on one’s own campaign could create a scenario where a candidate’s electoral performance seems more robust than it actually is to prediction market users or watchers, including media organizations who report on prediction market data.

This may in turn generate more favorable media coverage, which could affect public sentiment toward the candidate. Unlike polling, which is not typically prone to the same kind of meddling by campaigns, betting on one’s own campaign could ultimately change voters’ minds regarding the viability of a candidate.

Policymakers are paying attention

Given concerns about insider trading and its potential consequences, we asked Americans whether U.S. government officials should be forbidden from trading on prediction markets. In a nationally representative online survey of 1,000 U.S. adults conducted via the survey platform Verasight in March 2026, we found that nearly 70% supported banning government officials from trading on prediction markets, while 20% supported a more limited trading ban when government officials have “inside” information.

Lawmakers in Washington are beginning to respond to public opinion. The Senate recently banned senators and their staff from trading on prediction markets, although how this policy will be implemented remains uncertain. However, members of the House, employees of the executive branch, military officials and other government employees can still bet on prediction markets.

Some lawmakers have proposed limiting trading when government officials have insider information about an event, such as internal polling or fundraising data that members of the public do not have access to.

Others in Congress have made an effort to ban all trading on “death markets,” which include war, assassinations and related topics. Known as the “DEATH BETS Act” – its title is an acronym that stands for “Discouraging Exploitative Assassination, Tragedy, and Harm Betting in Event Trading Systems Act – the legislation has been introduced but is pending committee review.

State governments are also taking action to regulate prediction markets.

Massachusetts, for example, is suing Kalshi for allowing “backdoor betting” on sports.

Backdoor betting refers to wagering through less regulated channels like prediction markets, rather than highly regulated state casinos and sportsbooks. Backdoor betting has been estimated to cost states over US$1 billion in tax revenue since prediction markets first began allowing sports wagering in early 2025.

Minnesota became the first state to ban prediction markets altogether, while Illinois has sent cease and desist letters to prediction market operators that it claims are operating without adhering to state gambling laws.

Trump wants control over prediction markets

In a recent Truth Social post, President Donald Trump blasted the idea that states should be able to regulate prediction markets. Referencing their recent regulatory actions, Trump referred to Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker as “SCUM” in the post.

Trump also expressed enthusiasm for prediction markets in the post, saying that the U.S. is “at the top” of a “new form of Financial Market.” The president and his family have deep financial ties to the industry. For example, Donald Trump Jr. serves as a prediction market adviser to Kalshi and Polymarket and is an investor in Polymarket.

Following Trump’s post, the administration began reviewing a proposal to give the Commodity Futures Trading Commission the exclusive authority to regulate prediction markets.

While the CFTC has repeatedly asserted regulatory authority over prediction markets, some – like former CFTC Chairman Gary Gensler – believe that states, not the CFTC, should be in charge.The Conversation

About the Authors: 

Matt Motta, Associate Professor of Health Law, Policy and Management, Boston University and Robert Ralston, Lecturer in Political Science and International Studies, University of Birmingham

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

Opinions Programming
17 Jun

Soaring US beef prices likely to rise further thanks to trade tensions and disease outbreaks

By Andrew Muhammad, University of Tennessee and Charles Martinez

It’s summer grilling season, but for many Americans, surging prices mean beef is no longer what’s for dinner.

The cost of beef, having spiked since early 2025, is coming under even more pressure. The most recent is the screwworm outbreak that hit cattle in Mexico and has now spread to the United States, where the cattle herd has already fallen to levels not seen since the 1950s, due in part to drought.

Meanwhile, potential trade disruptions loom. Just before U.S. and Mexican trade negotiators began meeting on June 16-17, 2026, to discuss the long-standing deal binding North America, President Donald Trump warned that Washington may not renew the agreement, which was negotiated during his first term, and instead potentially withdraw from it altogether.

As international trade and livestock economists, we have studied how North American trade has deeply integrated cattle and beef markets, influencing production, prices and the movement of animals and meat products across Canada, Mexico and the United States. And because beef is both a top agricultural import and export for the U.S., the industry is especially vulnerable to any disruptions to the existing trade deal. As one example, the cost of ground beef is up by more than 20% just since January 2025.

Current trade uncertainty, reflecting Trump’s more fragmented, bilateral approach to negotiations, couldn’t come at a worse moment for inflation-weary consumers. The growing turmoil in the North American beef market risks further tightening supplies and raising prices.

A harmonized market

Cross-border trade was anchored in 1994 by the North American Free Trade Agreement, which established free trade between the U.S., Canada and Mexico. It remained in place until Trump replaced it with the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement, which came into force in 2020. Unlike NAFTA, that deal must be jointly reviewed every six years and includes a 16‑year sunset clause. Beef, like other goods covered by the agreement, was exempted from the tariffs that Trump imposed on those trading partners in 2025.

Formally, all three countries must decide by July 1, 2026, whether to extend the deal for another 16 years or let it revert to a series of annual reviews until the full expiration in 2036. But Canada, whose relationship with Trump is especially fraught, is so far sitting out the talks. Instead, U.S. and Mexican negotiators are meeting by themselves and have now turned to agriculture, with beef as one of the key sectors.

Beef prices, production decisions and supply are closely tied together across the three countries, effectively creating a single North American beef market. Cattle and beef products move seamlessly across borders, thanks to the lower tariffs and harmonized regulations that resulted from the 1994 and 2020 trade deals. The U.S. imports young “feeder” cattle to be fattened for slaughter from Mexico, as well as mature, or “fed,” cattle ready for slaughter from Canada, both of which ultimately go to U.S. packing plants. To help meet consumer demand in Mexico, the U.S. also exports beef products and fed cattle.

This integration is also important for maintaining the United States’ own beef supply. Almost all U.S. cattle imports are from Mexico and Canada, amounting to around 2.1 million head in 2024, valued at more than US$3 billion. That number may look small against the total number slaughtered in the U.S. that year – around 32 million head – but having a steady flow into the U.S. from Mexico and Canada helps stabilize supplies and manage prices.

The importance of that relationship became clear in 2025, when live cattle imports plunged by more than 50%. That decrease continued into 2026, as young cattle imports from Mexico collapsed by more than 80% due to the screwworm outbreak. The parasite has now been discovered in cattle in south Texas and New Mexico, which prompted Canada to slap bans on live cattle from the region.

Where’s the beef?

The current trade talks go beyond the beef sector, and agriculture more broadly, to encompass issues such as rules of origin, labor and environmental standards, digital trade and investment provisions that shape North American supply chains. At the same time, U.S. trade negotiators are bringing the Trump administration’s more protectionist and transactional approach to the table.

Beef is among the vital trade relationships at stake if negotiators fail to conclude the review. In 2025, Mexico was the third-largest market for U.S. beef exports, exceeding $1.3 billion, while Canada was the fourth-largest market at $874 million. On the flip side, Canada and Mexico ranked second and third, respectively, among countries exporting beef to the U.S., with more than $5 billion combined.

Trump’s threat notwithstanding, the U.S. has a lot to lose if it quits the 2020 deal altogether. Since the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against Trump’s sweeping emergency tariffs earlier this year, the administration has a stronger incentive to keep its other tools in trade talks. And U.S. farm groups, a key Trump constituency, are strongly lobbying the Trump administration to keep the deal.

If the U.S. exits the pact, North American trade would likely revert to more basic international rules, which would free Mexico and Canada to impose their own tariffs, raising costs for producers, processors and, ultimately, consumers.

The two trading partners would also have a freer hand with nontariff barriers, such as requiring stricter inspections, more paperwork and potential quotas on U.S. exports, all of which could slow down trade. Because cattle often cross borders multiple times during production, even small delays can create significant disruptions.

The result would likely be less efficient supply chains, fewer imported cattle, tighter U.S. supply and, in the end, higher prices. And some U.S. ranchers are already bracing for a worst-case scenario, like what soybean farmers have already seen when a key export market disappears.

“We can’t lose demand for our products,” one rancher told us. “Look what happened with soybeans last year when China quit buying.”The Conversation

About the Authors:

Andrew Muhammad, Professor of Agricultural Economics and Blasingame Chair of Excellence, University of Tennessee and Charles Martinez, Assistant Professor of Agricultural and Resource Economics

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

Opinions Soft Commodities
17 Jun

WTI oil prices have collapsed below 80 dollars per barrel

By JustMarkets

On Tuesday, the US stock market showed mixed dynamics caused by large‑scale profit‑taking in the artificial intelligence sector. By the end of the day, the Dow Jones Index (US30) rose by 0.64%. The S&P 500 Index (US500) fell by 0.57%. The Technology Index NASDAQ (US100) closed lower by 1.89%. Chipmakers suffered significant losses: Intel plunged by 8.5%, AMD by 7.3%, Micron by 6.2%, while Broadcom and Nvidia declined by 4.4% and 2.4%. At the same time, SpaceX shares rose by 4.8%, extending their gains after last Friday’s IPO on news of a planned acquisition of Cursor for 60 billion dollars. Additional support for the market came from declining government bond yields, triggered by falling oil prices, which noticeably eased investors’ inflation fears. This occurred ahead of the June Federal Reserve meeting, where rates are expected to remain unchanged, although analysts do not rule out hawkish rhetoric from Fed Chair Warsh regarding further balance sheet reduction.

European indices closed in the green yesterday. By the end of the day, Germany’s DAX (DE40) rose by 0.07%, France’s CAC 40 (FR40) closed up by 0.75%, Spain’s IBEX 35 (ES35) gained 0.69%, and the UK’s FTSE 100 (UK100) ended the session higher by 0.61%. Investor sentiment remained supported by expectations of a peace agreement with Iran and the resumption of safe navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

Palladium (XPD) prices stabilized near 1,350 dollars per ounce after reaching an eight‑month low, supported by easing Middle East tensions and short‑covering. Precious metals were also positively influenced by declining US Treasury yields. Despite a monthly decline of 3.84%, palladium prices still exceed last year’s level by 30.39%. Market participants are now assessing supply risks, demand prospects from the automotive sector, and awaiting a series of central bank meetings.

On Tuesday, crude oil prices (WTI) recorded a sharp drop of more than 6%, pushing the price per barrel down to 75.5 dollars – the lowest level since early March. This decline almost completely erased the previous rally triggered by the Middle East conflict, amid news of the imminent restoration of exports from Persian Gulf countries. The easing of tensions is supported by the likely signing of a memorandum between the US and Iran, which will ensure unimpeded tanker passage through the Strait of Hormuz. At the same time, US strategic reserves have fallen to their lowest level in 43 years. Meanwhile, Iranian supplies will most likely be directed toward replenishing China’s depleted inventories.

The US natural gas prices (XNG) increased by more than 2%, reaching 3.2 dollars per MMBtu and showing positive dynamics for the third consecutive day. The main drivers of growth were fexpectations of hot weather, expected to remain above seasonal norms until early July, forcing power plants to increase fuel consumption to support air‑conditioning demand.

On Tuesday, Japan’s Nikkei 225 (JP225) rose sharply by 0.13%, China’s FTSE China A50 closed lower by 0.81%, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng (HK50) fell by 1.40%, and Australia’s ASX 200 (AU200) closed higher by 0.04%.

The Australian dollar (AUD) consolidated above 0.70 USD, continuing its recovery after a two‑month low. This was supported by the hawkish stance of the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA): despite keeping the base rate at 4.35% at the June meeting, Governor Michele Bullock emphasized that inflation risks remain high and demand must slow further. Although the RBA paused to assess the impact of the previous three rate hikes, Bullock did not rule out further monetary tightening. The central bank’s hawkish tone led investors to price in a 50% probability of another rate hike by the end of the year.

S&P 500 (US500) 7,511.35 -42.94 (-0.57%)

Dow Jones (US30) 51,999.67 +328.64 (+0.64%)

DAX (DE40) 24,910.41 +16.40 (+0.07%)

FTSE 100 (UK100) 10,494.21 +63.59 (+0.61%)

USD Index 99.57 -0.07 (-0.07%)

News feed for: 2026.06.17

  • Japan Trade Balance (m/m) at 02:50 (GMT+3) – JPY (LOW)
  • UK Consumer Price Index (m/m) at 09:00 (GMT+3) – GBP, UK100 (HIGH)
  • UK Producer Price Index (m/m) at 09:00 (GMT+3) – GBP, UK100 (MED)
  • Sweden Riksbank Rate Decision at 10:30 (GMT+3) – SEK (HIGH)
  • Eurozone Consumer Price Index (m/m) at 12:00 (GMT+3) – EUR (HIGH)
  • US Retail Sales (m/m) at 15:30 (GMT+3) – USD (MED)
  • US Crude Oil Reserves (w/w) at 17:30 (GMT+3) – WTI, BRENT (HIGH)
  • US Federal Funds Rate at 21:00 (GMT+3) – USD, XAU, US indices (HIGH)
  • US FOMC Economic Projections at 21:00 (GMT+3) – USD, XAU, US indices (HIGH)
  • US FOMC Statement at 21:00 (GMT+3) – USD, XAU, US indices (HIGH)
  • US FOMC Press Conference at 21:30 (GMT+3) – USD, XAU, US indices (HIGH)

By JustMarkets

 

This article reflects a personal opinion and should not be interpreted as an investment advice, and/or offer, and/or a persistent request for carrying out financial transactions, and/or a guarantee, and/or a forecast of future events.

Energy Opinions
17 Jun

Gold Surges 2% Since Week Opening Amid Geopolitical Shifts and Fed Expectations

By RoboForex Analytical Department

On Wednesday, spot gold (XAUUSD) hovered near 4,342 USD per troy ounce, logging a solid gain of over 2% since the beginning of the trading week. The precious metal continues to find strong fundamental support as global market participants increasingly price in a potential landmark peace agreement between the United States and Iran.

The geopolitical breakthrough is expected to lead to the full restoration of oil shipments via the strategic Strait of Hormuz, substantially lowering broader market anxieties regarding a renewed global inflationary spiral. Analysts anticipate that both nations will sign an interim accord in Switzerland as early as Friday. Preliminary details suggest the document encompasses major economic concessions for Iran, most notably the lifting of restrictions on crude oil exports.

In parallel to geopolitical developments, global investors remain intensely focused on the upcoming Federal Reserve monetary policy conclusion. While the market is almost fully pricing in unchanged interest rates, significant attention will be dedicated to the forward guidance and press conference delivered by the newly appointed Fed Chair, Kevin Warsh. His perspective on the future trajectory of monetary policy will be vital in setting expectations for the remainder of the year.

It is worth noting that other major central banks have already delivered their decisions this week. The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) opted to maintain its benchmark cash rate at 4.35%. In contrast, the Bank of Japan (BoJ) delivered a historic 25-basis-point hike, pushing its key policy rate to 1.0%—the highest level recorded since 1995.

For the gold market, the primary macroeconomic drivers continue to revolve around global central bank rate expectations, the performance of the US Dollar, and the fluid situation surrounding the US-Iran accord. Should geopolitical tensions continue to dissipate, investor focus is highly likely to pivot entirely back to the Federal Reserve’s policy roadmap and long-term global inflation projections.

XAU/USD Technical Analysis


On the 4-hour chart, the XAUUSD pair has developed a distinct consolidation range centered around the 4,343 baseline level. The immediate tactical outlook projects a downside breakout from this range, targeting an initial drop toward 4,188.

Following the completion of this wave, the market may see a corrective recovery wave pointing to 4,277, before resuming its primary downtrend toward 4,088. The overarching trend continuation target sits at the psychological level of 4,000.

Technical Confirmation: The MACD indicator heavily supports this downward momentum. Its signal line is currently positioned at local highs well above the zero baseline and is pointing firmly downward, confirming a dominant bearish momentum.

On the 1-hour chart, the market has successfully breached the support baseline at 4,348 downward, completing an initial wave of decline toward the 4,308 mark. Looking forward, the intraday bias favors a brief corrective bounce toward 4,354 to test the broken level from below.

Following this potential retest, a continuation of the bearish structure is expected to target 4,188, with a subsequent corrective growth expected back to 4,270.

Technical Confirmation: This intraday scenario is further validated by the Stochastic oscillator, where the signal line remains suppressed below the 50 median mark and continues to face selling pressure, pointing down toward the 20 oversold threshold.

 

Disclaimer

Any forecasts contained herein are based on the author’s particular opinion. This analysis may not be treated as trading advice. RoboForex bears no responsibility for trading results based on trading recommendations and reviews contained herein.

Financial News Metals
16 Jun

Your Bourse and FXPRIMUS Bring 24/7 Synthetic Indices to the Global Broker Market

Your Bourse and FXPRIMUS today announced a strategic partnership to bring Synthetic Indices, algorithmically generated always-on trading instruments, to brokers operating within the Your Bourse network. Delivered through the existing Your Bourse bridge as standard CFD symbols, the product gives brokers a fully operational 24/7 trading environment without requiring any changes to their current platform setup or client operations.

This new partnership enables brokers to launch always-on synthetic trading products through existing platform infrastructure without platform migration, white-label rebuilding, or client relationship transfer.

Trading Does Not Stop When Markets Close

Retail trading behaviour has changed. A new generation of traders, particularly across Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America, expects markets to be available whenever they are. Traditional brokerage products have not kept pace. FX and CFD instruments remain tied to institutional market hours, leaving brokers commercially inactive for more than 130 hours every week: every evening, all weekend, and every public holiday.

For brokers serving emerging market clients, that gap is not marginal. It is the primary trading window for many of their clients. Traders who work during market hours and want to trade evenings and weekends have to go somewhere else. Most of them find somewhere.

“For years, brokers have accepted that certain periods of the trading week naturally produce lower levels of client activity. We do not believe that has to remain the case. Synthetic Indices allow brokers to remain relevant whenever their traders are active, not only when traditional markets are open. Through this partnership with Your Bourse, brokers can launch a proven 24/7 trading environment quickly, while maintaining full ownership of their clients, data, and operations,” said George Neophytou, Head of Global Sales at FXPRIMUS.

A New Standard for Always-On Trading

Synthetic Indices are continuously tradable CFD instruments whose prices are generated by independently audited random number generation systems, operating entirely independently of external markets, economic data, or geopolitical events. They are not influenced by earnings announcements, central bank decisions, or exchange trading hours. They do not close on weekends. They do not gap on Monday morning.

The FXPRIMUS synthetic suite includes four series, each built around a distinct trading profile. The Dynamic series, available at four volatility levels, replicates real-market price volatility behaviour with consistent one-second tick intervals. The Pace series offers step-based, structured price movement across five intensity levels. The Smash and Boost series generate sharp moves at approximate tick intervals. The Bounce series delivers short bursts of high-speed movement.

Every instrument is compatible with all major retail trading platforms and supports standard order types: market orders, stop losses, take profits, pending orders, and automated trading strategies. From the trader’s perspective, they behave like any other symbol on the platform.

Turning Inactive Hours Into Revenue

The commercial case for brokers is direct. Synthetic Indices run when everything else is closed. Spread income is generated across every session, every evening, and every weekend, without increasing client acquisition spend or adding operational overhead. For brokers with significant client bases in emerging markets, the product also addresses a growing retention challenge: clients who cannot find activity on their platform at the times they are most available tend to find it elsewhere.

For introducing broker networks in Africa and Southeast Asia, the advantage is particularly tangible. Synthetic Indices can be demonstrated live at any hour: in a Sunday webinar, a Telegram community session, a WhatsApp group, or a YouTube livestream. No other instrument category offers this. In markets where IB-led distribution through social communities drives the majority of client acquisition, an always-demonstrable product represents a genuine competitive shift.

“Your Bourse has always focused on reducing the complexity involved in accessing new products and infrastructure. This partnership extends that philosophy into one of the fastest-growing areas of retail trading. A 24/7 trading product requires infrastructure that can support it beyond the traditional 24/5 market schedule. Through Your Bourse bridge technology, matching engine performance, 24/7 operations, and minimal maintenance disruption, brokers can activate a complete Synthetic Indices environment through their existing bridge setup without rebuilding their technology stack or disrupting existing operations. The commercial opportunity, particularly for brokers serving emerging market clients, is significant,” said Kate Rutkovskaya, Chief Revenue Officer at Your Bourse.

Infrastructure

The partnership is designed as a product infrastructure layer. FXPRIMUS provides the synthetic pricing feed and product ecosystem. Your Bourse provides the bridge technology, matching engine, and integration layer. Brokers activate the product through their existing infrastructure: no platform migration, no white-label rebuild, and no client account transfer.

Because Synthetic Indices are available outside the standard FX trading week, including weekends and public holidays, the supporting infrastructure must also remain available beyond the traditional 24/5 market schedule. Your Bourse supports brokers with bridge connectivity, matching engine performance, 24/7 operations, and minimal maintenance disruption, helping brokers deliver the product when traditional markets and many standard support models are inactive.

Broker partners retain full ownership of their client relationships, trading accounts, data, deposits, and commercial operations. FXPRIMUS acts solely as the synthetic pricing provider. As the FXPRIMUS product ecosystem expands, brokers may also gain access to custom synthetic indices developed for their own client base and trading environment.

Activation timelines are measured in days. Configuration of leverage, symbols, spreads, and trading parameters is handled through the existing bridge framework.

Broker Enquiries

Brokers operating through the Your Bourse ecosystem can register interest immediately. To schedule a product demonstration or discuss commercial terms, contact: [email protected]

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Finance Press Release Financial News
16 Jun

Institutional investors continue to reduce their presence in metals

By JustMarkets 

The US stock indices closed with a sharp surge amid the official signing of a peace agreement between the United States and Iran. The diplomatic breakthrough and the imminent unblocking of the Strait of Hormuz sent oil prices down by 5%, instantly easing global business inflation concerns. By the end of the day, the Dow Jones Index (US30) rose by 0.92%. The S&P 500 Index (US500) gained 1.65%. The Technology Index NASDAQ (US100) closed higher by 3.06%.

The drop in energy prices triggered a powerful inflow of capital into sectors directly dependent on fuel costs. The transport sector and the travel industry became the growth leaders: United Airlines shares rose by 3.9%, Norwegian Cruise Line gained 3.7%, and Carnival Corp. strengthened by 3.2%. Elon Musk’s space giant continues to rewrite records after its Friday debut. The company’s shares jumped another 15%, consolidating around 185 dollars per share and pushing SpaceX’s market capitalization to an unprecedented 2.3 trillion dollars. The main outsider of the day was the media group Fox Corp., whose shares collapsed by 17%. Investors reacted extremely negatively to the official announcement of the acquisition of the streaming platform Roku for 22 billion dollars. The market considered the deal price significantly overvalued.

European indices closed mixed on Monday. By the end of the day, Germany’s DAX (DE40) rose by 1.05%, France’s CAC 40 (FR40) closed up by 0.40%, Spain’s IBEX 35 (ES35) gained 1.43%, while the UK’s FTSE 100 (UK100) ended the session lower by 0.39%.

The main beneficiary of the Middle East de-escalation was Europe’s real sector. Since the European region critically depends on hydrocarbon imports, the collapse in oil prices (which fell below 80 dollars per barrel on Monday) removed market fears of a prolonged energy crisis. The strongest upward dynamics were demonstrated by shares of automotive manufacturers and airlines, whose costs are directly tied to fuel prices. Investors are encouraged by the prospect of a full unblocking of the Strait of Hormuz, which will begin immediately after the memorandum is signed in Switzerland this Friday. Under the terms of the agreement, the United States will lift the naval blockade of Iranian ports, and Iran will be obliged to fully clear the strait’s waters of deployed naval mines.

The Swiss franc (CHF) showed a confident rebound, strengthening to 0.79 francs per US dollar and recovering from a two‑month low. The weakening of the US currency was caused by overall market optimism amid news of the imminent end of the Middle East crisis. The decline in global oil prices to a two‑month low (around 80 dollars per barrel) significantly simplified the task for the Swiss National Bank (SNB) ahead of its upcoming meeting. Domestic economic indicators also confirm the disinflationary trend – in May the Index surprised by falling 0.4% month‑over‑month. The decline in domestic producer prices combined with the sharp collapse in commodity prices virtually guarantees that the SNB will keep its key interest rate unchanged at its June 18 meeting.

Large institutional investors continue to reduce their presence in metals. Last Friday, long positions in gold ETFs fell to a 6.5‑month low, showing a deep pullback from the 3.5‑year high recorded at the peak of the Middle East crisis on February 27. A similar picture is seen in silver ETFs – holdings there fell to a 10.5‑month low (the peak was reached on December 23).

On Tuesday, crude oil prices (WTI) fell below 81 dollars per barrel, extending the decline after nearly a 5% drop in the previous session. Investors are cautious as they await details of the proposed peace agreement between the US and Iran, which is expected to be signed in Switzerland on Friday. Although Donald Trump stated that the deal will restore the free flow of oil from the Persian Gulf, the absence of an official memorandum text is forcing shipping companies to delay vessel departures until full clarity emerges.

On Monday, Japan’s Nikkei 225 (JP225) surged by 4.99%, China’s FTSE China A50 closed higher by 1.46%, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng (HK50) gained 0.50%, and Australia’s ASX 200 (AU200) closed up by 1.25%.

The Australian dollar fell to a two‑month low around 0.705, reacting sharply to the results of the Reserve Bank of Australia meeting. The RBA decided to hit the brakes, unanimously keeping the base interest rate at 4.35%. This step followed an aggressive series of three consecutive hikes in February, March, and May, which the regulator needed to combat the second wave of inflation triggered by the spring blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Most economists agree that the RBA will remain at the current plateau of 4.35% at least until the end of winter (the next meeting is scheduled for August 11).

S&P 500 (US500) 7,554.29 +122.83 (+1.65%)

Dow Jones (US30) 51,671.03 +468.77 (+0.92%)

DAX (DE40) 24,894.01 +258.71 (+1.05%)

FTSE 100 (UK100) 10,430.62 -41.10 (-0.39%)

USD Index 99.69 -0.06 (-0.06%)

News feed for: 2026.06.16

  • China Industrial Production (m/m) at 05:00 (GMT+3) – CHA50, HK50 (MED)
  • China Retail Sales (m/m) at 05:00 (GMT+3) – CHA50, HK50 (MED)
  • China Unemployment Rate (m/m) at 05:00 (GMT+3) – CHA50, HK50 (MED)
  • Japan BoJ Interest Rate Decision at 06:00 (GMT+3) – JPY, JP225 (HIGH)
  • Japan BoJ Rate Statement at 06:00 (GMT+3) – JPY, JP225 (HIGH)
  • Australia RBA Interest Rate Decision at 07:30 (GMT+3) – AUD, AU200 (HIGH)
  • Australia RBA Rate Statement at 07:30 (GMT+3) – AUD, AU200 (HIGH)
  • Japan BoJ Press Conference at 07:30 (GMT+3) – JPY, JP225 (MED)
  • Australia RBA Press Conference at 08:30 (GMT+3) – AUD, AU200 (MED)
  • German ZEW Economic Sentiment (m/m) at 12:00 (GMT+3) – EUR (MED)
  • Eurozone ZEW Economic Sentiment (m/m) at 12:00 (GMT+3) – EUR (LOW)
  • US Building Permits (m/m) at 15:30 (GMT+3) – USD (MED)

By JustMarkets

 

This article reflects a personal opinion and should not be interpreted as an investment advice, and/or offer, and/or a persistent request for carrying out financial transactions, and/or a guarantee, and/or a forecast of future events.

Economics & Fundamentals Financial News
16 Jun

USDJPY Driven by Emotions: Bank of Japan Raises Rate to Highest Level Since 1995

By RoboForex Analytical Department

The USDJPY pair declined to 160.13 on Tuesday after two highly volatile trading sessions. Investors remain focused on the Bank of Japan’s latest policy meeting.

The regulator raised its key interest rate by 25 basis points to 1.0%, the highest level since 1995. This move is intended to help contain inflation and support the national currency, which has remained under pressure for most of the year.

In recent weeks, the yen has been actively used in carry trade operations: investors borrowed funds in the low-yielding Japanese currency and invested them in higher-yielding assets. This increased pressure on the JPY despite the Bank of Japan’s gradual policy tightening and repeated currency interventions by Tokyo.

The main reason behind the yen’s weakness remains the significant interest rate gap between Japan and the US. As long as US rates remain substantially higher than Japanese rates, the dollar retains a structural advantage.

The market is also closely watching developments in the Middle East.

Investors expect the US and Iran to sign an agreement in Switzerland at the end of the week. If the deal is reached and leads to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, it could ease tensions in global markets and reduce demand for safe-haven assets, including the US dollar.

USDJPY Technical Analysis


On the H4 chart, USDJPY has formed a consolidation range around 160.20. After breaking upwards, the pair is developing a growth wave structure towards 161.50. Today, we expect this target to be reached, followed by a decline towards 160.30. Technically, this scenario is confirmed by the MACD indicator: its signal line is above zero and pointing firmly upwards, reflecting potential for the continuation of the growth wave.

On the H1 chart, the market is forming a growth structure towards 160.51. After that, a correction towards 160.20 may be considered. The pair is then expected to rise towards 160.70, with the potential to continue the trend towards 161.50.

This scenario is supported by the Stochastic oscillator: its signal line is above 50 and moving firmly upwards towards 80, indicating that short-term upside potential remains intact.

 

Disclaimer

Any forecasts contained herein are based on the author’s particular opinion. This analysis may not be treated as trading advice. RoboForex bears no responsibility for trading results based on trading recommendations and reviews contained herein.

Financial News Forex and Currency News
15 Jun

The United States and Iran have signed a peace agreement – oil has fallen to 80 dollars per barrel.

By JustMarkets 

On Friday, US stock indices closed in the green zone amid two powerful drivers: the historic market debut of SpaceX and persistent geopolitical optimism. By the end of the day, the Dow Jones Index (US30) rose by 0.70% (weekly result +0.40%). The S&P 500 Index (US500) gained 0.50% (weekly result -0.12%). The Technology Index NASDAQ (US100) closed higher by 0.64% (weekly result +0.52%).

The main event of the day was the triumphant debut of SpaceX on the NASDAQ exchange under the ticker SPCX. With an IPO price of 135 dollars per share, trading opened at 150 dollars. During the day, the stock surged by almost 30%, and closed at 161.11 dollars (a gain of 19.3%). This record IPO worth 75 billion dollars increased Elon Musk’s company’s capitalization to 2 trillion dollars. During the trading session, markets experienced short-term volatility due to a tough statement by Donald Trump, who warned Iran against disrupting the negotiations. However, markets quickly recovered after the publication of details of the draft peace agreement.

This week, investors’ attention will be focused on the first meeting of the US Federal Reserve under the chairmanship of Kevin Warsh. According to the general consensus of analysts, the American regulator will keep interest rates in the current range of 3.5-3.75%. The main intrigue lies in the rhetoric: whether officials will signal readiness to resume rate hikes at the end of 2026 to curb inflation, which was fueled by the spring surge in oil prices due to the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. In parallel, the market will assess a block of important US macroeconomic data for May.

Retail sales are expected to rise by 0.5%, repeating the pace of the previous month, which, under high inflation, indicates the preservation of nominal spending at the expense of reduced savings. In contrast, industrial production is prediction to slow sharply – growth will amount to only 0.2% after a strong April jump of 0.7%. The real estate sector will also show cooling: analysts expect a decline in both housing starts and building permits amid high costs.

European indices closed higher on Friday. By the end of the day, Germany’s DAX (DE40) rose by 1.76% (weekly result +0.77%), France’s CAC 40 (FR40) closed up 1.83% (weekly result +2.67%), Spain’s IBEX 35 (ES35) gained 2.59% (weekly result +3.05%), and the UK’s FTSE 100 (UK100) closed higher by 1.63% (weekly result +0.99%). In Europe, the focus of global financial markets this week is on the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Norway, and Sweden. According to the consensus outlook, the Bank of England will keep the base interest rate at 3.75%, although investors hope to receive hints from the Committee regarding the overall trajectory for the rest of the year. The central banks of Sweden (Riksbank), Switzerland (SNB), and Norway (Norges Bank) are expected to keep their current interest rates unchanged, opting for a wait‑and‑see approach. In terms of macroeconomic statistics, Germany is expected to show a moderate improvement in the ZEW economic sentiment Index for June. This will mark the second month of recovery after a deep April decline to a three‑year low, although the indicator will likely remain in negative territory.

Crude oil prices collapsed by more than 5%, plunging to 80 dollars per barrel and hitting a two‑month low. The massive sell‑off was triggered by the official announcement of the long‑awaited peace agreement between the United States and Iran. US President Donald Trump confirmed that the agreement provides for the immediate lifting of the American naval blockade of Iranian ports. This will allow safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz to be fully restored by the end of the current week. In addition to reopening the strait, the framework agreement obliges Tehran to completely dismantle its nuclear program. In return, Iran receives a package of large‑scale economic incentives and legalization of its oil exports. Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi officially confirmed that a compromise had been reached.

On Friday, Japan’s Nikkei 225 (JP225) rose by 2.81% (weekly result +0.11%), China’s FTSE China A50 closed higher by 1.50% (weekly result +1.64%), Hong Kong’s Hang Seng (HK50) gained 1.93% (weekly result +0.55%), and Australia’s ASX 200 (AU200) closed up 1.98% (weekly result +1.14%). This week, the Asia‑Pacific region expects a dense flow of economic news.

Japan: The key event will be the Bank of Japan meeting (June 15-16). Against the backdrop of persistent inflation and a weak yen, the regulator is expected to raise the base rate by 25 basis points – to 1.0%. If confirmed, the rate will return to its highest level since 1995. Traders will also assess May data on inflation, trade, and machinery orders.

China: Investors will analyze a comprehensive block of May macroeconomic data: retail sales, industrial production (analysts expectation an acceleration to 4.6% due to IT exports), unemployment rate, fixed‑asset investment, and housing prices.

Australia: The Reserve Bank will likely pause and keep the refinancing rate at 4.35% after the May quarter‑point hike.

Other countries: Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia will publish trade balances, New Zealand will report Q1 GDP, and the central banks of Indonesia, Taiwan, and the Philippines will announce rate decisions.

S&P 500 (US500) 7,431.46 +37.16 (+0.50%)

Dow Jones (US30) 51,202.26 +353.51 (+0.70%)

DAX (DE40) 24,635.30 +425.59 (+1.76%)

FTSE 100 (UK100) 10,471.72 +167.84 (+1.63%)

USD Index 99.81 -0.05 (-0.05%)

News feed for: 2026.06.15

  • Switzerland Producer Price Index (m/m) at 09:30 (GMT+3) – CHF (LOW)
  • Eurozone ECB President Lagarde Speaks at 10:15 (GMT+3) – EUR (LOW)
  • Eurozone Industrial Production (m/m) at 12:00 (GMT+3) – EUR (LOW)
  • Eurozone Trade Balance (m/m) at 12:00 (GMT+3) – EUR (MED)
  • US Industrial Production (m/m) at 16:15 (GMT+3) – USD (MED)

By JustMarkets

 

This article reflects a personal opinion and should not be interpreted as an investment advice, and/or offer, and/or a persistent request for carrying out financial transactions, and/or a guarantee, and/or a forecast of future events.

Economics & Fundamentals Financial News
15 Jun

EURUSD Ahead of the New Week: Expecting High Volatility

By RoboForex Analysis Department

The EURUSD pair is starting Monday’s trading session near 1.1468.

This week, global financial markets will closely monitor two pivotal drivers: the prospects of a US-Iran nuclear deal and the upcoming Federal Reserve meeting. Any signs of progress in the negotiations could strip the geopolitical premium out of oil prices, subsequently weakening safe-haven demand for the US Dollar.

Concurrently, the market is bracing for the first Fed meeting chaired by Kevin Warsh, which is expected to set the tone for interest rate expectations heading into the second half of the year.

This meeting is critical for EURUSD. Just last week, robust US inflation and labor market data bolstered the Greenback, reinforcing expectations that the Fed will maintain its hawkish stance. Meanwhile, investors will continue to digest the impact of the ECB’s recent rate hike, looking for further guidance from European policymakers.

Additional direction will come from US macroeconomic releases, including retail sales and industrial production, which will provide further clarity on the health of the US economy and the trajectory of its monetary policy.

EURUSD Technical Analysis

On the 4-hour chart, the EURUSD pair has formed a consolidation range around 1.1575, briefly testing the downside toward 1.1550.

Upside Scenario: A breakout above this range could trigger a corrective wave toward 1.1612, followed by a subsequent decline back to 1.1500.

Downside Scenario: A clean break below the consolidation range will open the door for a downward wave targeting 1.1444.

Technical Confirmation: The MACD indicator supports the bearish outlook. Its signal line remains above the zero mark but is pointing sharply downward, reflecting persistent bearish momentum and potential for trend continuation.

On the 1-hour chart, the market has completed an upward wave toward 1.1612 and is currently consolidating just below this level.

The immediate outlook suggests an expansion of this consolidation range—downward to 1.1500 and upward to 1.1550—before a broader decline resumes toward 1.1444.

Technical Confirmation: This scenario is backed by the Stochastic oscillator, where the signal line has crossed below the 80 level and is heading straight down toward 20, signaling oversold conditions ahead.

 

Disclaimer

Any forecasts contained herein are based on the author’s particular opinion. This analysis may not be treated as trading advice. RoboForex bears no responsibility for trading results based on trading recommendations and reviews contained herein.

Financial News Forex and Currency News
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