This week on Touché Markets, we switch gears.

Instead of just covering the headlines, we break them down.

In this episode, we analyze rising tensions between the United States and Iran, the sharp swings in commodity markets, the outlook for equities in the year ahead, and the nomination of Kevin Warsh as the next Federal Reserve chair.

We dig deeper into the question many investors are quietly asking:

Is the next systemic risk coming not from banks or corporations — but from governments themselves?

From oil and emerging markets to valuations, leverage, and the credibility of the US dollar, this episode connects geopolitics, macroeconomics, and investment reality.

This week on Touche Markets, we break down Wall Street’s strongest banking year since the pandemic, rising tensions in global media consolidation, snap elections in Japan, EU plans for Ukraine, and fresh debate over inflation and Fed independence in the US.

In this week’s Touche Markets, we open 2026 with markets positioning for tech rotation, Glencore-Rio Tinto merger talks, and precious metals on the march; European banks face AI-driven job cuts; Southeast Asian exports surge despite tariffs; and U.S. policy on housing and Venezuela continues to shape risk and opportunity. Comprehensive global markets insight to start your year.

This week on Touche Markets: SpaceX preps a record-setting 2026 IPO; Disney inks a $1B AI deal with OpenAI; the Dow and S&P 500 extend highs while tech stocks struggle; UK GDP shows contraction; Mexico raises tariffs on China; peace talks succeed in Southeast Asia; and U.S. sanctions intensify pressure on Venezuela. Stay informed with the global market wrap.

This week on Touche Markets: Euro-area inflation surprises to the upside; Swiss prosecutors charge Credit Suisse/UBS in the Mozambique-tuna scandal; U.S. lawmakers try to block top-tier Nvidia chip exports; Australia bans social media for under-16s; and Netflix eyes a giant deal to buy Warner Bros. Global markets remain on edge — and we’ll tell you why.

In this week’s episode of Touché Markets, U.S. inflation cools as Tesla and Netflix report earnings, gold faces its worst week, and China tightens rare earth exports. Meanwhile, Japan makes history electing its first female prime minister, and Argentina’s currency crisis returns to the headlines.

Tensions rise as Russia steps up military and space confrontations, while the U.S. government shutdown halts key data releases and threatens growth. In China, regulators tighten control over rating agencies as tech giants ramp up AI investment, and Typhoon Ragasa devastates East Asia. Europe’s markets hit record highs amid trade protectionism and political unrest, while the UK faces slowing growth, manufacturing decline, and renewed security concerns after a Manchester attack.

Gold hits record highs as the U.S. dollar weakens. The people's bank of China plans to ease gold import rules, and Europe faces debt concerns amid weaker business sentiment. In the UK, inflation remains stubborn and businesses are warning that government policies could hinder growth. Meanwhile, oil prices stay subdued as global demand falters.