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Global Markets: AI, Rate-Cut & Geopolitical Ripples

Traders, strap in. Global markets are waking up in a holiday-thinned week, and even with lighter volumes, the moves are anything but sleepy. U.S. stock futures are creeping higher on renewed AI excitement, precious metals are smashing records, oil is reacting to geopolitical pressure, and Bitcoin is holding its ground near $89K.

It’s a week where conviction, not volume, drives the action, and where opportunistic traders can make big moves while the rest of the crowd is away.

U.S. Stocks Kick Off the Week with Tech in the Lead

U.S. futures kicked off Monday in the green, led, of course, by tech. As expected, AI hype is back, and chipmakers like Micron are flashing strong guidance, reigniting a surge of confidence in semiconductors and mega-cap tech.

Even with trading volumes lighter thanks to the holiday-shortened week, momentum is building. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq are just a tick away from December highs, and traders are quietly positioning for what could be a Santa Claus rally in classic year-end fashion.

  • S&P 500 futures: 6,918 (+0.45%)
  • Nasdaq 100 futures: 25,748 (+0.68%)
  • Dow futures: 48,134 (+0.38%)

Tech Rebounds on AI Buzz and Big Wins

Micron’s blowout forecast lit a fire under chip stocks, helping tech shake off earlier pressure from stretched valuations. Oracle jumped after TikTok reports, fueling gains across the tech megacaps.

The message is clear: AI is back in the spotlight, and traders are chasing momentum. Even with caution in the air, the market is rewarding AI-linked growth stories and betting on next year’s digital revolution.

Rate-Cut Hopes Keep Traders Leaning Long

Last week’s softer U.S. inflation data added fuel to the rally, boosting expectations that the Fed will cut rates in 2026. The markets reacted with a dose of risk-on sentiment as Treasury yields declined.

Traders are also watching the Fed transition closely. Powell’s term ends in May, and Trump’s interviews for a successor have the market parsing every hint on rates. For now, traders are betting that the central bank will ease in 2026, keeping the market on its toes.

  • Expected easing by end of 2026: 60 basis points
  • Q3 GDP preview: +3.2% annualized

Precious Metals Surge on Geopolitical Fear

Gold and silver are ripping, for sure. Rising Israel-Iran tensions and fresh U.S.–Venezuela flashpoints have ignited a full-blown safe-haven rush. Platinum smashed through $2,000/oz for the first time since 2008, while silver ripped to new record highs.

Traders are seeing this as more than just fear. More along the lines of positioning for 2026. Rate-cut bets and geopolitical uncertainty are fueling a historic metals rally.

Copper Breaks Records as AI Infrastructure Drives Demand

Copper exploded to fresh all-time highs as demand optimism flooded into industrial metals. China stimulus bets and relentless AI data-center demand are turbocharging the bull case.

The rally underscores how electrification and AI infrastructure are tightening supply chains. Even as global growth slows, copper is trading the future, not the present.

Oil Reacts to Venezuela Pressure

Fears of a supply shock were immediately rekindled when the United States intercepted sanctioned tankers close to Venezuela, causing oil prices to soar. Geopolitics just pushed its way back into crude pricing after weeks of pressure from an oversupply.

Venezuelan volumes may be small, but the message was loud. Add ongoing Russia-Ukraine tension, and oil has found short-term support, even as the broader trend stays bearish.

Bitcoin Holds Ground Amid Rate-Cut Optimism

Bitcoin started to flirt it way higher but stayed range-bound as holiday-thin liquidity choked momentum. Even as risk appetite improved elsewhere, crypto failed to catch the train, with institutional flows starting to cool.

Still, the bigger picture stays constructive. Policy shifts in Hong Kong that could open the door for insurers to allocate to crypto point to expanding institutional access, even if near-term price action remains muted.

Global Markets: Mixed, But Opportunities Everywhere

As Japanese markets rose on a sharply weaker yen, global stocks remained mixed. However, exporters saw reaped some great benefits from the currency decline, but government bonds suffered after the Bank of Japan raised interest rates to multi-decade highs.

Elsewhere, Europe faded in thin holiday trade, while U.K. stocks slipped after GDP confirmed sluggish growth, a clean reminder that global policy paths are pulling further apart.

BullRush Takeaway on Global Markets

This week is a masterclass in thin-market trading. Light volumes mean moves can be sharp, tech momentum is back, metals are screaming, and geopolitical events are shaking commodities.

For traders ready to act, the setups are everywhere. AI plays, metals surges, oil volatility, crypto range-bound, but primed for a breakout.

Your Move: Position strategically. Trade smart. And remember: in markets like these, opportunity never takes a holiday.

👉 Jump in with BullRush and navigate the 2025 year-end rally like a pro.

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