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As a leading financial services marketing agency, we provide analysis, PR, articles, education centres and much more for our fintech, forex and banking clients. As we enter July and kick off H2, the markets are primed to hot up! Here’s a quick overview of all the important things due to happen this month that may impact market movements.1. Trump vs. Biden — the battle for the Oval Office continuesYou cannot have missed the news last week that these old (no pun intended) adversaries locked horns for their first debate ahead of the 2024 Presidential election in November.Okay, so the next (and last) official debate isn’t happening until 10 September, but there will be plenty of swings, misses and heavy blows before then — including in July.For a start, the Republican National Convention will be held in Milwaukee from 15–18 July. Aside from that, you may have noticed that Mr. Trump isn’t exactly evasive or shy when it comes to pushing his agenda. Expect a lot of bluff, bluster and return fire on an almost daily basis. Worries over Biden’s health surged after a poor display by the current PresidentWhile these spats may not affect the markets directly now, the way this race is going, will make traders sit up and take notice, preparing for the most likely outcome.2. The UK General ElectionIf you’re interested in market-moving elections, you don’t have to wait long. The UK General Election is happening much sooner — literally Thursday this week! Almost all polls have Labour projected to win the race for seats for the first time since 2005.UK General Election Polls, Source: BBCExpect GBP to experience volatility in the immediate aftermath of the election results. The markets are known to react strongly to political uncertainty, and a change in government can may well lead short-term fluctuations in the currency.As with the US election, there may be short-term fluctuations in the stock market as investors reassess their portfolios.3. General US Stock Market HistoryWhile it’s not strictly an event itself, since 1928, July has been the best month of the year, on average, in terms of stock-market performance. So the month is a spectacle in its own right.Over those 96 years, the S&P 500 SPX has experienced a gain of 1.7% in July and finished the month higher more than 60% of the time, according to Dow Jones Market Data. Likewise, since 1897 the Dow Jones Industrial Average has delivered an average monthly increase of 1.4% in July — clearly making July the best month of the year. The Dow has recorded positive returns in nearly 65% of the Julys since then.But don’t get too excited. The history books also tell us that July in election years are notoriously hit and miss. You’ve been warned!4. FOMC Meeting — Wednesday, July 31This is a biggie that a lot of investors will be keeping their eyes on. But what could happen? Many experts are expecting the Fed to hold rates steady at a target of 5.25%-5.50%, as the Fed still waits for inflation to ease a little more. It did the same in June and prior meetings, so no major change in that policy is expected.But expectations don’t always turn into reality…Your Turn!Brokers, what’s your key focus this month? What patterns are you observing with your traders? Let us know on X at @_contentworks.Top Fundamental Events This MonthOn top of the major potential events, we’ve put together a quick list of a bunch of other fundamentals that might make the markets swing this month.July 1–7● EUR — German Inflation Rate YoY (Preliminary)● USD — ISM Manufacturing PMI● USD — FOMC Minutes● GBP — UK General Election● USD — Non-farm Payrolls● USD — Unemployment RateJuly 8–14● GBP — GDP (MoM)● USD — Inflation Rate (MoM, YoY)● USD — PPI (MoMJuly 15–21● CAD — Inflation Rate (YoY)● USD — Retail Sales (MoM)● GBP — Inflation Rate (YoY)● EUR — ECB Interest Rate Decision● JPY — Inflation Rate YoY● GBP — Retail Sales MoMJuly 22–28● CAD — BoC Interest Rate Decision● USD — Personal Spending MoM● USD — Personal IncomeJuly 22–28● CNY — Chinese NBS Manufacturing PMI● JPY — BoJ Interest Rate Decision● USD — Employment Cost Index QoQ● USD — Fed Press ConferenceHere at Contentworks we closely follow market movements and prep content that we think your traders would love to read. Let’s get you started.Speak soon!The Contentworks teamPS — Happy Independence Day to our friends across the pond, and Happy Election Day to everyone in the UK!
We’re galloping into the June markets and our brokers are seeing increased acquisitions and positive uptake on lead gen campaigns in Africa, LATAM, the UK and more. So what are forex brokers watching in June? Here’s a roundup from our financial services marketing team.Central Bank Decisions in FocusOne of the main drivers of market movements in June will likely be the upcoming policy decisions from major central banks. If we had to pick out a single super-important event, we’d plump for the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting on June 11.If there are any adjustments to US interest rates, the repercussions will be felt across the markets and impact trading. The US dollar (USD) and associated pairs would likely experience fluctuations.The Bank of England (BoE) meeting on June 20 will have a similar impact on GBP. With the European Central Bank (ECB) meeting on June 8–9th potentially impacting the value of the euro (EUR).Keep up with compliance by reading our monthly Regulation Roundups.Geopolitical tensionsSadly, this one is always something we have to consider. With global conflicts going on around the world, there’s always a chance that destabilising events will impact the global economy. The war in Ukraine and the escalated situation in Israel/Palestine are just two of the areas that could cause problems for traders.Brokers, particularly those that deal with commodities like oil, gas, and gold — will be watching these events keenly and will need to be ready to act if prices start to swing.Spotlight on marketing and AIAs ever, the digital marketing landscape continues to evolve, with the upcoming Google Chrome update limiting third-party cookies set to impact how forex brokers reach their target audiences.This means that FX brokers need to shift toward more targeted and personalised marketing strategies. This is a good thing if you want to provide real value to your user base in a crowded financial services space.Because of this, you can expect to see an increased focus on the creation of high-quality content that resonates with specific trader demographics.Overuse of AI is also something that’s being clamped down on. Companies that heavily rely on AI to generate copy will find themselves increasingly in trouble. Google’s March update saw the company pledge to penalise websites that don’t provide original content designed to answer user queries. Speak to our team for a human rewrite of your financial services website.Upcoming eventsFor those seeking to stay updated with the latest trends and network with industry professionals, June offers a couple of nice events:● iFX EXPO Cyprus (June 8–20 June): This premier event brings together industry leaders, brokers, and technology providers for conferences, exhibitions, and workshops. Contentworks Agency is a returning media partner for the event and the team will be there for coffee and catchups.● FMA European Trading Expo Europe (12–14 June): The Financial Markets Association (FMA) hosts a series of trading expos in June, offering educational sessions and opportunities to connect with brokers and industry experts.Your turn!What are you looking forward to in June? Join the debate over on X at @_contentworks.Top fundamental events in June 2024Here are some of the events that are most likely to move the markets this month. No guarantees!June 3–9● USD — ISM Manufacturing PMI● AUD — GDP Growth Rate QoQ● CAD — BoC Interest Rate Decision● EUR — ECB Interest Rate Decision● USD — Unemployment Rate● USD — Nonfarm PayrollsJune 10–16● GBP — Unemployment Rate● GBP — GDP MoM● USD — Inflation Rate MoM● USD — Federal Funds Rate● USD — Fed Press ConferenceJune 17–23● GBP — Official Bank Rate● GBP — Inflation Rate YoYJune 24–30● CAD — Inflation Rate YoY● USD — GDP Growth Rate QoQ Final● USD — Core PCE Price Index MoMIf you enjoyed our broker focused roundup, please share it with your network and internal teams. Want compliant financial services marketing for your finance brand? Book a free Zoom call with our team.
On April 24, US President Joe Biden signed a bill to ban TikTok, the short-form video app owned by Chinese company ByteDance. But will it happen? And if so, what impact will it have? Explore these questions with us today. After that, we’ll go over all of the top fundamental events you can trade this week. Let’s go!Wait a tik, what’s this all about?The new law states that ByteDance must sell the platform to a US company within a year to avoid such an outright ban. The Chinese company then has nine months from that date to divest itself from the app, with a potential three-month extension if the authorities are feeling nice at the time.This isn’t a bolt out of the blue. Discussions about banning TikTok have been going on for a few years, with some politicians around the world accusing it of being a tool for Chinese propaganda and a security risk.Even before the law’s signing a bunch of TikTok bans across the US had barred the app from devices tied to universities and government hardware at the state, local, and federal levels.We know you didn’t ask, but if you want our opinion, we think the whole thing is pretty silly and probably emphasises that those in power don’t really understand social media, why it’s so popular and what it’s used for. Most experts agree that there’s no evidence the app has done any more damage or risked user privacy beyond what we’ve seen from companies like Facebook or Google.The bill — entitled The Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act (H.R. 7521) — passed the House of Representatives by 325–65. Though, we’re happy that Congress finally found something they agree on, it would be nice if it was something more important.Potential impact on businesses and creatorsIf the company doesn’t comply with the law and fails to find a US buyer, an outright ban would have a huge short-term impact on many content creators and small businesses who rely on the app.In case you didn’t know, there are a few different ways that people make money on the platform.TikTok pays some content creators based on views, but the payouts tend to be smaller than those offered by YouTube.Creators can also receive virtual gifts from viewers, meaning additional payouts.Creators make the most money by producing sponsored videos that advertise products.Many businesses produce their own TikTok content to reach new customers. According to TikTok, around 7 million US businesses rely on the platform and, in 2023, 224,000 jobs were supported by small business activity there.Last year, TikTok Shop, the platform’s e-commerce platform generated $1.1bn in gross merchandise revenue in the US. This is less than 1 per cent of Amazon’s GMR, but it’s growing fast.Quarterly revenues, 2017–2023Source: Business of AppsWill TikTok be bought?You might say the clock is tiktok-ing…Despite the growing popularity of the platform — boasting 150 million users in the US — so far, no one has come forward with a bid for the company. Some experts say that the business is likely valued at over $100 billion, so there aren’t many who can afford it even if they wanted to.The tech giants — Amazon, Microsoft, Google, or Meta — can all easily cough up this kind of cash, as could Mr. Musk. But most of them could get into some deep antitrust water for buying a direct competitor, which is a big no-no.Meta has already started working on coaxing tiktokkers over to its rival platform, Instagram, attempting to wipe the business out of the market altogether.It’s also unclear how much the business is worth the money that would need to be shelled out. TikTok’s number of active users declined in the final three months of last year and its downloads only increased by 4%. By comparison, Instagram saw an increase in active users of 13 million and a 20% increase in downloads.What will happen remains to be seen, but it’s hard to believe that one of the biggest social platforms in the world will be allowed to simply fizzle out in one of its most important markets.Popcorn at the ready!What’s your take?Do you think TikTok is a legitimate security threat to the US for it to be banned? What’s going to happen over the next 12 months? Share your thoughts with us on X at @_contentworks.Top fundamental events week commencing 06/05/24Here’s what’s coming up this week.MondayNo major events are scheduled.Tuesday● AUD — RBA Interest Rate Decision● EUR — German Balance of Trade● CAD — Ivey PMI s.aWednesdayNo major events are scheduled.Thursday● CNY — Chinese Balance of Trade● GBP — Official Bank Rate; MPC Meeting MinutesFriday● GBP — Manufacturing Production MoM; Manufacturing Production YoY; GDP Growth Rate YoY Prel; GDP Growth Rate QoQ Prel; GDP MoM;● CAD — Unemployment Rate● USD — University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment IndexHere at Contentworks we closely follow market movements and prep content that we think your traders would love to read. Let’s get you started right here.Speak soon!The Contentworks team
Join us as we wind the Contentworks time machine back 8 years — it’s 23 June 2016, and the UK population is about to make a decision that will drastically impact the regional and global economy. Was it the right decision? Well, flux capacitor on as we assess how Brexit is going, 4 years after the “official” split. After that, we’ll preview the top fundamental events you can trade this week.Wait, I need a refresher…In 2016, the British public voted to leave the European Union, with 52% voting out. The move shocked the world and instantly panicked markets, businesses and consumers alike.After a lengthy negotiation process, four years later the UK officially departed the EU on January 31st, 2020.Today, we’re going to examine the tangible effects of Brexit on the British economy, currency, trade, and — of course — people’s wallets. Then we’ll see what’s coming next.Pound for pound — how is GBP doing?Quite astoundingly, the GBP seems to be relatively strong against the dollar. Certainly when compared to the euro, the quid is holding its own.🔵GBP/USD🟡EUR/USDSource: GoogleThe EUR currently sits -4.75% vs. USD, with GBP -2.75%. It’s hardly cause for celebration, but the fact that, over the past 5 years, the pound only briefly fell out of correlation with the euro and that was when the split first happened. This could easily be counted as a relative success — if you’re a glass-half-full kinda gal/guy.Even better, there are increasing signs that the pound is set to embark on an upward trend. Rapid fall in UK inflation since its peak in 2022 has propelled the GBP forward. There’s an expectation that, as soon as macroeconomic effects improve, the GBP will thrive. If it comes, the question is: how long will it last?Don’t shout about that too loudly though, yeah?Trade disruptionNon-tariff barriers (NTBs) caused massive delays at ports in the early days of Brexit. Fundamentally, no one knew what on earth to do and how to get things moving again.There were increased administrative requirements for businesses, disrupted supply chains and don’t even mention how badly that impacted consumers. To date, the UK has signed trade deals and agreements in principle with about 70 countries and, importantly, one with the EU.Most of these deals are essentially just carbon copies of deals the UK previously had when it was an EU member, rather than creating new trading arrangements, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. For example, the UK no longer has to follow EU rules on product standards.Economic growthRemember that inflation drop we talked about? That’s really good news for people’s back pockets. The last few years have not been plain sailing for the UK public who have experienced the longest period of falling living standards since the Napoleonic wars! Yeah, that was over 200 years ago!Because of the tightness of the labour market, average wage growth is probably going to remain well above inflation levels over the coming two years. That means a lot more money sloshing around in people’s bank accounts and if people do what they tend to do when they suddenly have some spare change for the first time in a while, they will look to spend it — which is great for the economy.What’s next?The mood between London and Brussels has definitely become more amicable since 2022, though core issues remain unresolved.One biggie is that post-Brexit tensions have continued in Scotland where a majority voted to remain in the EU. That whole Scottish independence situation still needs sorting out, though the SNP have conveniently, and involuntarily, all but removed themselves from the situation.Another imminent update is actually happening tomorrow (April 30) — when the second phase of Britain’s border controls on food imports from the EU kicks off. This will introduce physical checks for ”medium risk” animal products, plants and plant products, things like frozen meat, fish, cheese, eggs, dairy products and certain cut flowers and seeds. Let’s see how that goes…With a good chance that the UK will have a new (Labour-led) government in January 2025, there’s optimism that such change may bring an opportunity to negotiate.Who knows, the future of the UK might well be back in the EU. John Curtice, a prominent professor of politics at the University of Strathclyde and a well-respected pollster in Westminster recently stated that he “wouldn’t be surprised if (another referendum) happens before 2040.”We’ll leave it there…What’s your opinion?If you voted in the referendum in 2016, are you happy with how it played out? Has Brexit been a success in your eyes? Join the debate over on X at @_contentworks.Top fundamental events week commencing 29/04/24We hope you had a quiet weekend because this week is going to feel like a year! Ready?Monday● EUR — German Inflation Rate YoY PrelTuesday● CNY — Chinese NBS Manufacturing PMI; Chinese Caixin Manufacturing PMI● EUR — French GDP Growth Rate YoY Prel; French Inflation Rate YoY Prel; German GDP Growth Rate YoY Flash; Inflation Rate YoY Flash;● USD — Employment Cost — Wages QoQ; Employment Cost Index QoQ; CB Consumer ConfidenceWednesday● USD — ADP National Employment Report; Treasury Refunding Announcement; ISM Manufacturing PMI; JOLTs Job Openings; Federal Funds Rate; Fed Press ConferenceThursday● AUD — Balance of Trade● JPY — Consumer Confidence● CAD — Balance of TradeFriday● USD — Average Hourly Earnings MoM; Nonfarm Payrolls; Unemployment Rate; ISM Services PMIHere at Contentworks we closely follow market movements and prep content that we think your traders would love to read. Let’s get you started right here.Speak soon!The Contentworks team
Wars are, unfortunately, a constant. And it’s a sad reflection on humanity that companies and individuals can profit from conflict. The current international turmoil is sending shockwaves through the global economy, impacting everything from currency exchange rates to the performance of specific industries. Today, we’re exploring the complex relationship between war and finance. After that, we’ll take a glance at the top tradable events this coming week.Count the conflictsIt’s difficult to keep track of all the conflicts that are going on around the world, currently.Aside from the various, devastating ongoing national and regional conflicts in Africa, right now we’re experiencing major conflicts on a scale unheard of, including flare-ups in the following:● Russia vs. Ukraine (backed by Western allies)● Israel vs. Hamas● Israel (supported by US, UK) vs. Iran● West (chiefly US, UK) vs. Houthi rebels in Yemen● West (chiefly US, UK, France) vs. Islamic State in MENA (Somalia, Syria, Iraq)The latest unravelling of Middle Eastern peace last week saw Iran attack Israel with 300 missiles and drones, following Israel’s strike on the Iranian embassy in Syria. This attack was repelled, with 99% of the missiles being shot down by Israeli, US and UK forces before reaching their targets. Israel retaliated, attacking Isfahan on Friday.This latest rise in hostilities and the long list above it, is exactly why the US fiscal National Defence Authorization Act 2024 requested $886.3 billion in US defence spending for this year, an increase of 3.3% year-over-year.Ultimately there is only one winner. Defence companies and those who invest in them.4 Defence stocks that are booming right nowLet’s look at some of the largest defence companies looking to profit from the current situation.1. Lockheed Martin (LMT)Current price: 463.87 USDYTD: +1.70%1 Year Performance: -3.87%5 Year Performance: +41.28%LMT stock, 2024Source: GoogleLockheed Martin is an American aerospace defence giant, founded in 1995 through the merger of Lockheed Corporation and Martin Marietta. It has since solidified its position as a leader in the industry. Headquartered near Washington D.C., Lockheed Martin boasts a workforce of over 115,000 employees.LMT stock has made steady gains in 2024 so far. 2023 was a bit of a bust year for the company, with growth hindered by heavy investment in a classified missile programme. This has been compounded by the news that the company would only deliver 75 to 110 F-35 fighter aircraft in 2024, following missing the target in 2023, delivering only 98 of the 120 promised.But all of that comes on the back of the previous 4 years being absolute stonkers, with the stock price up over 41% since 2019. With only modest growth in 2023, and plenty of demand, LMT stock probably looks quite attractive to certain investors right now.2. General Dynamics Corp. (GD)Current price: 288.62 USDYTD: +11.61%1 Year Performance: +28.26%5 Year Performance: +62.08%GD stock, 2024Source: GoogleThe General Dynamics Corporation produces a range of vehicles and systems specifically for the US military, including combat vehicles, submarines, surface ships, aircraft, and weapons systems. The American company has 100,000 employees worldwide.Lockheed Martin may be a more efficient and profitable company, but it’s not growing as fast as General Dynamics.Compared to Lockheed Martin, the company has a clear growth advantage at the moment. It also has multiple revenue streams outside government contacts, like its private-sector aerospace segment. This sector can grow relatively unconstrained thanks to not being beholden to government spending approvals and the political delays that may come with them.3. KBR Inc. (KBR)Current price: 62.67 USDYTD: +12.11%1 Year Performance: +9.91%5 Year Performance: +182.81%KBR stock, 2024Source: GoogleKBR Inc., formerly Kellog Brown & Root, is headquartered in Houston, Texas, and has over 20,000 employees worldwide. The company’s government solutions segment is in line to get a boost from the ramp-up of the $20B Homesafe project in mid-2024.KBR stock is already outperforming 2023 growth. The company has seen a nice streak of beating earnings estimates, especially when looking at the previous two reports. The average growth for the last two quarters was 2.11%.Like General Dynamics, KBR’s business is not wholly tied to government contracts, quite the opposite. Because it’s an “engineering company” first and a “defence contractor” second, its major customers come from the petro-chemical industry — international and national oil and gas companies, independent refiners, petrochemical producers, and fertiliser producers and manufacturers.That stock performance over the last 5 years is enough to make any investor jump for joy!4. Leidos Holdings Inc. (LDOS)Current price: 124.91 USDYTD: +15.66%1 Year Performance: +36.14%5 Year Performance: +87.69%LDOS stock, 2024Source: GoogleLeidos Holdings Inc. provides a range of services to US government and commercial clients, including engineering, logistics, information technology, and scientific research. Leidos has over 38,000 employees worldwide.Outside the United States, the company’s international customers include foreign governments and their agencies, primarily located in the United Kingdom, the Middle East and Australia.The company was recently awarded a new prime contract to perform aviation training services and operations support for the Army National Guard. With a 5-year stock performance almost in triple figures, it seems business is good at home and abroad.War never changesIt’s clear to see the influence of near-constant conflict on defence and infrastructure companies like those listed here. Sadly, that also means that a profit can be made from savvy investment in these “war stocks”.On a macro scale, the circumstance of having so many simultaneous conflicts can bring an air of panic to the markets that usually thrive on stability and predictability. This can mean pulling money out of other stocks, particularly those tied to sectors directly impacted by the conflict, and seeking refuge in “safe havens” — assets perceived as less volatile during turbulent times.Gold prices have increased 15.9% since January, and that’s a sign that the markets at large are starting to get twitchy.Source: BullionVaultYour thoughts?Are you investing in defence stocks? Have you stocked up on your safe havens? Let us know over on X: @_contentworks.Top fundamental events week commencing 22/04/24It looks like a fairly busy week in the markets. Here’s what’s in store.MondayNo major events are planned.Tuesday● EUR — German HCOB Manufacturing PMI FlashWednesday● AUD — Inflation Rate YoY● EUR — German Ifo Business Climate● USD — Durable Goods OrdersThursday● EUR — German GfK Consumer Confidence● USD — GDP Growth Rate QoQ AdvFriday● JPY — BoJ Interest Rate Decision● USD — Core PCE Price Index MoM; Personal Income Spending MoM; UoM Consumer Sentiment IndexHere at Contentworks we closely follow market movements and prep content that we think your traders would love to read. Let’s get you started right here.Speak soon!The Contentworks team
A meteoric event is looming large on our Contentworks calendar. No, not World Book and Copyright Day, we’re talking about the next Bitcoin halving! Today, we’re going over everything you need to know about this landmark event, before wrapping up all of the trading events for your calendar this week.What is a Bitcoin halving?A Bitcoin halving is an event where the reward for mining new blocks is cut in half, dropping from 6.25 BTC to 3.125, so miners receive 50% fewer Bitcoins for verifying transactions. It’s a pre-programmed event designed to control the supply of Bitcoin so it doesn’t run out so fast!Halvings are scheduled to occur once every 210,000 blocks — which is about once every four years. This will keep happening until all 21 million Bitcoins have been mined by the network — but that’s not expected until sometime in 2140. Hold our flying car, please.Why does this happen?Bitcoin has a fixed supply of 21 million coins. This scarcity is part of its allure and where at least some of its value is derived from. It’s a bit like gold in that respect. Gold nuggets wouldn’t be half as awesome if they were growing on trees.Halvings ensure that new Bitcoins enter the market at a predictable rate, preventing inflation. But that doesn’t mean that the price always remains stable — we’ll get to that in a bit.When to tune inThis time around, the Bitcoin halving is projected to occur sometime between April 19th and April 20th. As the blocks continue to build, we’ll have a better idea of the exact day in the coming days.How to follow the actionOne of the best sources of information for crypto enthusiasts is X (formerly Twitter). Here are a few hashtags to use to stay up-to-date:● #btchalving● #bitcoinhalving● #coinmarketcap● #cryptomarket● #bitcoincharts● #cryptotrading● #bitcoinsallday● #bitcoinnewsWe are also watching the most popular BTC/Crypto Reddit boards to see how the community is reacting. Our faves are:● r/Cryptocurrency● r/BTC● r/Bitcoin● r/CryptoHow could it affect BTC price?This is the question on everyone’s lips. But, this isn’t our first halving, we’ve been through this before and can, therefore, pick apart the data and at least try and work out what could happen.Remember, past performance is not a guarantee for future performance! But. here’s how things have gone in the past:1. Halving #1 — November 2012With 11 million Bitcoins in circulation, the first halving cut the block reward for miners from 50 BTC to 25 BTC.Exactly one year later (November 28, 2013), Bitcoin was up 7,431%. Wow.2. Halving #2 — July 2016The second halving saw miners’ block rewards slashed from 25 BTC to 12.5 BTC.After that, prices spiked again. A year after the halving, prices had increased by 279%.3. Halving #3 — May 2020This was a very interesting one, with Bitcoin’s third halving coinciding with the weirdness of C19. A lot of analysts had their eyes on it, seeing it as an important test for the viability of the leading cryptocurrency.BTC passed the test, and then some! Exactly one year after the halving — Bitcoin’s price had increased by 539%, showing the world just how resilient the commodity has become, even during the most turbulent financial periods.Source: CoincodexHow the market will react next is anyone’s guess…To be clear, no single event has ever dictated Bitcoin’s fate, nor should it. This halving is definitely a significant chapter, but the story’s far from over.Tell us your storyAre you buying BTC in anticipation of a boom? How high can Bitcoin go? Perhaps you’ve been HODLing for this exact moment. We’d love to hear your predictions over on X, @_Contentworks.Top fundamental events week commencing 15/04/24Looks like a relatively quiet week for trading. Here are all of the key events coming up.Monday● USD — Retail Sales MoMTuesday● CNY — Chinese GDP Growth Rate YoY● GBP — Unemployment Rate● CAD — Inflation Rate YoY● USD — Building Permits PrelWednesday● JPY — Balance of Trade● GBP — Inflation Rate YoYThursdayNo events planned.Friday● JPY — Inflation Rate YoY● GBP — Retail Sales MoMHere at Contentworks we closely follow market movements and prep content that we think your traders would love to read. Let’s get you started right here.Speak soon!The Contentworks team
For the most part, financial advice can be dry. That’s precisely the gap in the market that Finfluencers look to exploit. These finance whizz kids are sharing investment tips, recommending banks and payment apps, and teaching us how to save money. But hold up, because regulators like CySEC (Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission) and the UK’s FSA (Financial Conduct Authority) are warning against such “advice”. Today, we’ll find out why, before giving you our regular weekly trading run-down. Let’s do this!Hold on, what’s a Finfluencer?We’re all pretty familiar with the role of “influencers” today. But, now a new breed of financially-focused influencer has emerged — the “finfluencer”.Finfluencers utilise Instagram and TikTok to offer insights into personal finance, investment strategies, and financial education. Many are aligned with finance brands, so the end game is usually to promote a trading platform, credit card or app.Successful people sharing their advice and helping others enjoy some success — sounds awesome! But, there are some controversies surrounding these individuals and they’ve recently been brought into focus by two of the most powerful regulators in finance — CySEC and the FCA.What did the regulators say?The main issue that regulatory authorities have with finfluencers is that they often lack proper financial qualifications, and their recommendations might not be suitable for everyone, particularly those who have little financial education themselves.Additionally, they often promote quick wealth whilst sitting on a tropical beach, making it all look super easy. Largely that’s not the case and falls very much in the non compliant arena.CySEC recently directly warned about the “risks associated with following simplified investment advice on social media.”The regulator even went as far as conducting a study to find out just how popular this method of investing is. According to that study, 31% of respondents make their financial investments based on the advice of a financial influencers from platforms such as TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and Twitter.The FCA chimed in too, highlighting the pressure some finfluencers put on viewers to invest quickly, without taking the time to conduct proper research — which we all know is a fundamental part of any successful trading strategy.This is (kinda) old territoryJust in case you didn’t know, this isn’t a brand-new phenomenon in 2024.Social trading — where traders effectively blindly copy the actions of professional traders (sound familiar?) — has been around for years.The difference here is that with social trading, there’s usually an element of proven professionalism. The trader being copied usually has a solid background in trading and some tried and tested method/strategy that they impart for a share of your spoils.The fear with finfluencers is that increasing amounts of people, notably young people, are recklessly trusting strangers with little or no knowledge of the markets themselves. This is dangerous. The lack of regulatory oversight and transparency in finfluencer content, rightly raises concerns about the reliability and objectivity of the information provided. Until the regulators have a clearer picture of how to deal with these individuals, there will always be questions hanging over the practice.Are you being Finfluenced?Do you seek out the wisdom of finfluencers? Or perhaps you’re a finfluencer, yourself — how do you feel about regulatory concerns? Join the debate over on X at @_contentworks.Top fundamental events week commencing 08/04/24It looks to be a super-busy week ahead. Let’s see what’s in store…Monday● EUR — German Balance of TradeTuesday● AUD — Westpac Consumer Confidence Change; NAB Business Confidence● JPY — Consumer ConfidenceWednesday● USD — Inflation Rate MoM; Core Inflation Rate MoM; Core Inflation Rate YoY; Inflation Rate YoY; FOMC Minutes● CAD — BoC Monetary Policy Report; BoC Interest Rate DecisionThursday● EUR — Deposit Facility Rate; ECB Interest Rate Decision; ECB Press Conference● USD — PPI MoMFriday● CNY — Chinese Balance of Trade● GBP — GDP MoM; Manufacturing Production YoY; Manufacturing Production MoM● USD — University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment IndexHere at Contentworks we closely follow market movements and prep content that we think your traders would love to read. Let’s get you started right here.Speak soon!The Contentworks team
April is already upon us so listen up, brokers, because we’re diving into the top trading trends you need to know in 2024! Stick around and we will go over the top tradeable events of the coming week for you.The Big Spenders: What’s Hot (and What’s Not) in Traded AssetsThe King Still Reigns: Forex remains the undisputed champion, with a daily trading volume exceeding $6 trillion. It even hit $7.5 trillion in 2022. That’s enough cash to buy every single island in the Bahamas (and maybe a few yachts for good measure).What’s hot: over 80% of all forex trades include 7 major currency pairs — USD, EUR, JPY, GBP, AUD, CAD, and CHF.The elite trading club: There are around 14.5 million forex traders in the world and 5.9 million of them (41%) are active day traders — that’s your total addressable market right there!Rise of the machines: Algorithmic trading continues its relentless march, with estimates suggesting it accounts for over 70% of forex transactions. Time to brush up on your coding skills, brokers!The Crypto conundrum: The crypto market remains a rollercoaster ride. While Bitcoin still attracts a loyal following, some investors are looking outside the box towards altcoins and DeFi (Decentralised Finance) projects.Commodity chaos: Geopolitical tensions and supply chain disruptions are making commodities like oil and gold more volatile than ever and volatility always brings trading volume.The Green Rush: Sustainability is a growing concern, and the rise of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) investing means assets tied to clean energy and green initiatives, like Vanguard ESG, are gaining traction.Trade While the Iron’s Hot: Popular Months and DaysJanuary Jitters: The new year often brings a surge in trading activity as investors look to deploy capital and make resolutions stick (hopefully, not ones involving reckless margin calls).FOMC Frenzy: Meetings of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC), which sets US interest rates, can trigger significant market movements. Be prepared for some pre-meeting anticipation and post-decision volatility.Monday Blues Booms: While some might believe Mondays mean a sluggish start, forex markets often see a spike in activity at the beginning of the week.Beware the Friday Freefall: Some argue that Fridays tend to be quieter, with traders hesitant to hold positions over the weekend. This can present opportunities for savvy brokers who know how to navigate potentially lower liquidity.Location, Location, Location: Where the Trading Action IsLondon Calling: Despite the negative impact of Brexit, London is still the largest hub in the world for foreign exchange currency trading.The Land of the Rising Sun: Japan is also a major forex player, with its strong economy and active retail investor base.European Powerhouse: Europe remains a dominant force, with Germany and France boasting significant forex markets. According to Tradingpedia, transactions executed by German traders account for nearly 20% of all Forex transactions.The American Advantage: The US dollar (USD) is still the world’s reserve currency, and the US is the largest and most liquid financial market in the world.Emerging Markets on the Rise: Countries like China, India, and Brazil are seeing an increase in forex trading activity, reflecting their growing economic clout.Demystifying the Millennial Trader: Age, Demographics, and the Rise of Social MediaYouthful Exuberance: Millennials (born roughly between 1981 and 1996) are now a major force in the trading world and account for as much as 40% in some regions. They’re tech-savvy, risk-tolerant, and drawn to innovative investment opportunities. You’ll want to grab these guys and not let go!Despite that, globally speaking, Forex traders over 40 years old still account for as much as 58% of the market.The Rise of the She-conomy: Women are increasingly participating in the financial markets, with research suggesting a growing number of female forex traders. However, women still only amount to around 8% of all market participants.The Power of Platforms: Trading platforms with user-friendly interfaces and mobile apps are becoming increasingly popular, especially with younger demographics.#ForexLife and Beyond: Social media is awash with forex influencers, offering tips, strategies, and (sometimes questionable) advice. Flashy Instagram posts don’t guarantee trading success!Hashtag Hustle: Popular forex hashtags like #forexsignals, #tradinglifestyle, and #currencytrading can help brokers connect with potential clients. But be sure to offer genuine value, not just empty hype.The Future of Forex: Adapting to Changing TrendsThe Rise of Fintech: Financial technology is revolutionising the forex market, with tools like artificial intelligence and blockchain offering new ways to analyse data and execute trades.Cybersecurity Concerns: As the online presence of forex trading grows, so do cybersecurity threats. Investing in robust security measures is paramount if you want to attract and retain a dedicated user base.Your turn!Did we miss anything? Do you have some top tips for us? We’re waiting for you over on X at @_contentworks.Top fundamental events week commencing 01/04/24Here’s what’s coming up this week. We hope you’re not busy on Thursday.Monday● JPY — Tankan Large Manufacturers Index● CNY — Chinese Caixin Manufacturing PMI● USD — ISM Manufacturing PMITuesday● AUD — RBA Meeting Minutes● EUR — German Inflation Rate YoY Prel● USD — JOLTs Job OpeningsWednesday● EUR — Inflation Rate YoY Flash● USD — ADP National Employment Report; ISM Services PMIThursday● CAD — Balance of TradeFriday● AUD — Balance of Trade● CAD — Unemployment Rate; Ivey PMI s.a● USD — Average Hourly Earnings MoM; Unemployment Rate; Nonfarm Payrolls;Here at Contentworks we closely follow market movements and prep content that we think your traders would love to read. Let’s get you started right here.Speak soon!The Contentworks team