Money

Tariffs trigger retaliations, stock market volatility increases

Trump’s tariffs spark retaliation from Canada, Mexico, and China, causing market fluctuations and concerns over rising consumer prices.

Published

7 months ago

March 5, 2025

Ahron Young

Trump’s tariffs spark retaliation from Canada, Mexico, and China, causing market fluctuations and concerns over rising consumer prices.

In Short

President Trump’s 25% tariffs on goods from Mexico and Canada prompted Canada to retaliate with similar tariffs, while Mexico plans its own measures. This trade dispute, alongside increased tariffs on China, caused declines in U.S. stocks and raised concerns about higher prices for American consumers.

President Trump’s 25% tariffs on goods from Mexico and Canada took effect on Tuesday.

In response, Canada plans to impose 25% tariffs on around $100 billion of U.S. imports, with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accusing Trump of acting in “bad faith.” Mexico’s president has indicated that retaliation measures will be announced on Sunday.

Today, the United States launched a trade war against Canada: their closest partner and ally — their closest friend.

Canadians are reasonable, but we will not back down from a fight.

Not when our country is at stake.

— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) March 4, 2025

Additionally, the U.S. has introduced a further 10% tariff on Chinese imports, compounding previous tariffs. China has responded by announcing retaliatory tariffs on U.S. agricultural products and has filed a lawsuit with the World Trade Organization.

Sharp declines

Following these developments, U.S. stocks showed some recovery after initial sharp declines, although the Dow industrials were still down Tuesday afternoon. The Nasdaq Composite turned slightly positive, and gold prices increased.

Currency movements for the Canadian dollar and Mexican peso were modest, as some traders believe the tariffs may not last long.

Economists warn that the cost of these tariffs will likely be passed on to American consumers, leading to higher prices at grocery stores and car dealerships.

As a result of the tariffs, U.S. stocks fell, especially among automakers like General Motors and Tesla. The Dow industrials and S&P 500 experienced declines, while the Nasdaq Composite, after nearly entering correction territory, managed to pare some losses.

Wall Street’s volatility index, known as the VIX, rose further, reaching its highest level of the year.

Money

Gold plunges as investors react to Middle East ceasefire

Gold prices fall over 2% to below $4,000, as investors shift from safe-haven assets after Gaza ceasefire news.

Published

2 days ago

October 10, 2025

ticker NEWS

Gold prices fall over 2% to below $4,000, as investors shift from safe-haven assets after Gaza ceasefire news.

Gold prices have fallen sharply, dropping over two per cent to below $4,000 per ounce, as investors took profits following the announcement of a Gaza ceasefire agreement. The deal between Israel and Hamas triggered a shift away from safe-haven assets, with silver and platinum also sliding.

The U.S. dollar strengthened as markets responded to the news, making precious metals more expensive for foreign buyers. Analysts say the pullback is likely temporary, with long-term demand for gold and silver expected to remain strong amid global instability and rising debt levels.

Market experts warn that volatility will continue as geopolitical tensions persist, even as short-term optimism grows around the Middle East peace process.

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Money

Gold and silver prices drop after Gaza ceasefire

Gold dips below $4,000/oz amid profit-taking and Gaza ceasefire; silver also softens from record highs

Published

2 days ago

October 10, 2025

Ahron Young

Gold dips below $4,000/oz amid profit-taking and Gaza ceasefire; silver also softens from record highs

In Short:
– Gold prices fell over 2% to below $4,000 per ounce due to a stronger dollar and profit-taking.
– Silver eased to $48.93 per ounce, influenced by market activity and ongoing high demand despite supply issues.

Gold prices fell over 2% on Thursday, dropping below $4,000 per ounce. The decline followed a strong rise earlier in the year and was influenced by a stronger dollar and profit-taking after a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.Spot gold decreased to $3,959.48 per ounce, while U.S. gold futures for December delivery settled at $3,972.6.

Silver also experienced a slight decline, easing from its record high to $48.93 per ounce. The dollar index increased, making gold more expensive for overseas buyers.

Traders noted increased activity in the market as profit-taking coincided with reduced tensions in a historically volatile region.

An independent metals trader stated that while gold and silver may need to consolidate further, the underlying demand drivers remain intact.

Market Overview

Gold surpassed $4,000 per ounce on Wednesday, reaching $4,059.05, boosted by geopolitical tensions and strong demand from central banks. The asset has gained about 52% this year, reflecting a significant increase due to various economic factors. The U.S. central bank’s decision to cut rates in September also contributed to the rally, with expectations for future cuts in the coming months.

Silver’s price increase of 69% this year is tied closely to similar economic trends impacting gold. Notably, liquidity issues in the silver market are being exacerbated by strong demand and tight supply conditions. Other precious metals, such as platinum and palladium, also saw declines during this period.

Money

North Korean hackers steal $2 billion in crypto

North Korean hackers steal over $2 billion in cryptocurrency, marking the largest annual total in history

Published

3 days ago

October 9, 2025

Ahron Young

North Korean hackers steal over $2 billion in cryptocurrency, marking the largest annual total in history

In Short:
– North Korean hackers stole over $2 billion in cryptocurrency in 2025, nearly tripling last year’s total.
– A shift to social engineering tactics has led to increased targeting of high-net-worth individuals for cyber attacks.

North Korean hackers have reportedly stolen over $2 billion in cryptocurrency assets in 2025, setting a record with three months still left in the year.

Data from blockchain analytics firm Elliptic indicates that this amount nearly triples the total stolen last year, accounting for approximately 13% of North Korea’s estimated GDP and raising the regime’s total crypto theft to over $6 billion since 2017.

A significant portion of the 2025 theft is attributed to the February hack of cryptocurrency exchange Bybit, which amounted to $1.46 billion.

The FBI has linked this breach to state-sponsored North Korean hackers, who exploited weaknesses in Bybit’s wallet management system. More than 30 additional cyber attacks have also been associated with North Korea this year, including notable breaches at LND.fi and WOO X.

Shift In Tactics

A shift in methodology among North Korean hackers has been observed, as they now focus on social engineering rather than technical exploits. According to Elliptic, the primary vulnerability lies with individuals rather than technology.

High-net-worth individuals and corporate executives are increasingly targeted due to their relatively weaker security measures.

The hackers utilise deceptive tactics, including phishing schemes and fake job offers, to access private cryptocurrency wallets. Intelligence reports suggest that the stolen funds are used to finance North Korea’s nuclear programmes.

The regime has also improved its money laundering techniques by employing various cryptocurrencies and mixing methods to obscure fund origins. Blockchain analysts are actively tracking these stolen assets, with notable progress achieved in identifying recoverable funds.