Day: April 29, 2025

Acsion Ltd ACS Soars 20% After March Collapse as Growth Projections Strengthen

Posted on by Skerdian Meta

Following a severe drop in early March, Acsion’s stock has recovered significantly, owing to good earnings and revenue progress.
Continue reading “Acsion Ltd ACS Soars 20% After March Collapse as Growth Projections Strengthen” →

Cryptocurrencies Curb ETF Enthusiasm, but Bitcoin Holds at Support Level

Posted on by Ignacio Teson

Despite a market correction, Bitcoin continues to solidify its role as a store of value, driven by growing institutional interest and ongoing global economic uncertainty.

Bitcoin is gaining momentum as traditional markets surge.

Cryptocurrencies are trading lower, despite a temporary reprieve in U.S. tariff tensions and sustained institutional demand for spot Bitcoin ETFs. In this context, Bitcoin is down 0.6%, trading around $94,000 on Binance. Among the top 20 most-traded cryptocurrencies, losses reach up to 2.7%, led by Hedera, Toncoin, and Chainlink (down around 2.5%).

In the crypto-related equity space, shares of Coinbase, MicroStrategy, and several mining companies have pulled back after strong gains last week. This cooldown comes amid a tense economic backdrop, reflected in mixed signals from Wall Street. The good news is that there have been no new attacks from Trump in recent days—but the bad news is that the tariff situation remains unresolved.

[[BTC/USD-graph]]

On the macroeconomic front, the Dallas Fed Manufacturing Index saw a sharp decline, marking its worst performance since the COVID-19 pandemic. Coupled with a significant drop in cargo shipments from China to the U.S. and concerns over rising prices for Chinese goods, trade tensions are fueling fears about the global economic outlook.

What the Market Is Watching

Despite this backdrop, investor attention remains focused on key economic indicators, including consumer confidence, Q1 GDP, and this week’s upcoming jobs data. Expectations of interest rate cuts from the Federal Reserve remain strong, with markets pricing in three to four cuts by year-end.

In the crypto market, appetite for spot Bitcoin ETFs continues to grow. According to Farside Investors, net inflows surpassed $3.2 billion last week alone, with BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) drawing in $970.9 million. The ETF market is progressing in a “two steps forward, one step back” pattern—exactly as many analysts predicted.

Bitcoin remains an appealing asset, especially for institutional investors, who continue to see its potential as a safe haven during periods of economic and geopolitical uncertainty. Notably, the state of Arizona is advancing legislation to establish Bitcoin reserves, potentially becoming the first U.S. state to officially adopt the asset—marking a milestone for institutional adoption.

Bitcoin Price Outlook

From a technical standpoint, Bitcoin is trading in a range between $90,000 and $98,000, with volatility that could trigger significant liquidations on both long and short positions. According to Bitget, a $1,000 drop could liquidate over $146 million in long positions, while a similar upside move could wipe out more than $279 million in shorts—suggesting that the market is bracing for a short-term correction.

Despite these fluctuations, overall sentiment remains optimistic. Whales continue to accumulate Bitcoin, and institutional investors are reaffirming their confidence, reinforcing a bullish outlook for the asset in the weeks ahead.

Starbucks SBUX and SNAP Stock In Freefall After Hours on Lower/No Guidance

Posted on by Skerdian Meta

During extended trading, the stock prices of two well-known firms, Snap Inc. and Starbucks, plummeted after the presentation of quarterly results that raised questions about future growth.
Continue reading “Starbucks SBUX and SNAP Stock In Freefall After Hours on Lower/No Guidance” →

SMCI Stock Crashes Below $30 on Grim Super Micro Q3 Guidance

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Following a poor revenue projection, Super Micro Computer’s (SMCI) stock fell precipitously in after-hours trading, rekindling worries about the company’s financial performance and growth trajectory. Continue reading “SMCI Stock Crashes Below $30 on Grim Super Micro Q3 Guidance” →

Mexican Peso Holds Steady Ahead of Key Data and U.S.-China News

Posted on by Ignacio Teson

The Mexican peso closed virtually unchanged against the dollar in Tuesday’s session, as traders remained cautious ahead of key economic data releases and developments in U.S.-China trade relations.

The Mexican Peso is volatile amid the US-China Trade War.

The exchange rate ended the day at 19.5755 pesos per dollar, compared to Monday’s official close of 19.5784, according to data from the Bank of Mexico (Banxico). This represented a marginal gain of 0.02% for the peso—less than one cent.

During the session, the dollar traded within a range of 19.6506 to 19.5461 pesos. Meanwhile, the U.S. Dollar Index (DXY)—which measures the greenback against a basket of six major currencies—rose 0.27% to 99.20.

[[USD/MXN-graph]]

Mexican Peso Outlook and GDP Figures

Investors are closely watching for the release of important economic indicators, particularly the GDP figures for both Mexico and the United States due on Wednesday. These results are expected to provide insight into the impact of U.S. tariffs.

Some analysts have forecast a contraction in Mexico’s GDP during the first quarter. However, stronger-than-expected data from the Global Indicator of Economic Activity (IGAE) have cast doubt on just how resilient the Mexican economy may be.

The peso’s recent rally has stalled in the absence of fresh news on U.S.-China trade talks, despite signs that Washington is considering tariff reductions on auto parts and trucks.

Looking ahead to the overnight session, the exchange rate is expected to remain within a range of 19.52 to 19.66, as investor interest in the peso remains limited ahead of Wednesday’s first-quarter GDP reports.

World Bank: Commodity Prices Likely to Return to Pre-COVID Levels

Posted on by Ignacio Teson

In its latest Commodity Markets Outlook, the World Bank forecasts that, when adjusted for inflation, global commodity prices will fall back to their 2015–2019 average over the next two years.

Oil and Agricultural primary products will likely fall.

This marks the end of a price surge fueled by the post-COVID recovery and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Commodity Projections and Outlook

The Bank projects a 12% drop in global commodity prices in 2025, followed by a further 5% decline in 2026, as global economic growth weakens amid escalating trade tensions. In real terms, this would bring prices to their lowest levels in a decade.

[[USOIL-graph]]

While falling prices may help ease short-term inflation risks driven by new U.S. tariffs and rising global trade barriers, the trend could hurt commodity-exporting developing countries—Argentina among them.

“Higher commodity prices have been a windfall for many developing economies—two-thirds of which rely on commodity exports,” said World Bank Chief Economist Indermit Gill. “But we are now seeing the highest price volatility in more than 50 years. The combination of low prices and high volatility spells trouble.”

Gill urged these countries to liberalize trade where possible, restore fiscal discipline, and foster a more business-friendly environment to attract private investment.

Energy Prices and Inflation

Energy price spikes contributed more than two percentage points to global inflation in 2022. However, their decline in 2023 and 2024 helped moderate inflation, according to the report. The World Bank expects energy prices to fall by 17% in 2025—hitting a five-year low—followed by another 6% drop in 2026.

Brent crude is forecast to average $64 per barrel in 2025—$17 less than in 2024—and just $60 in 2026, as supply remains ample and demand weakens. This drop is partly driven by the rapid adoption of electric vehicles in China, the world’s largest auto market. On Tuesday, Brent crude fell over 2%, trading at $63.30 per barrel.

Hims Stock Rebounds 33% from Lows, on Wegovy Deal With Novo Nordisk

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Thanks to a well-known pharmaceutical alliance, Hims & Hers Health’s (HIMS) stock is showing signs of recovery following a steep decline earlier this year.
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Arizona Approves First U.S. Bitcoin Reserve, Eyes 10% State Investment

Posted on by Ignacio Teson

Arizona’s legislative approval marks a potential milestone in the institutional adoption of Bitcoin in the United States, opening the door for a state to formally integrate digital assets into its public treasury.

Trump has pushed Bitcoin Higher.

In a key move toward public adoption of Bitcoin, Arizona lawmakers have passed two bills authorizing the direct investment of public funds in digital assets. With this step, Arizona is on track to become the first U.S. state to establish a Bitcoin reserve.

[[btc/usd-graph]]

On Monday, the Arizona House of Representatives passed Senate Bills 1025 and 1373, which pave the way for allocating up to 10% of the state’s treasury and pension funds into Bitcoin and other digital assets.

The legislation—now awaiting Governor Katie Hobbs’ signature—would empower the State Treasurer to invest up to 10% of state-managed assets in digital currencies. It also establishes a Strategic Reserve Fund for Digital Assets to hold seized crypto and future allocations, with on-chain audit requirements and standardized risk controls.

Arizona’s initiative aligns with similar legislative efforts in Texas, Florida, and New Hampshire, where state governments are exploring Bitcoin-backed reserves to attract blockchain innovation and diversify public asset portfolios. If enacted, Arizona would become the first U.S. state to hold Bitcoin in its public treasury—a potential precedent for national-level integration of digital assets in public finance.

Bitcoin Market Impact

Following the vote, Bitcoin hovered around $95,000, having rebounded 25% from early-April lows. Renewed institutional interest—highlighted by Arizona’s move to validate Bitcoin as a sovereign reserve asset—is fueling market momentum.

While Governor Hobbs recently reduced the threat of a veto over separate disability funding disputes via a bipartisan deal on April 24, she has yet to comment on her stance regarding the crypto-related bills.

Her signature would trigger immediate implementation, while a veto would stall the legislation and freeze related budget allocations.

How Much Could Arizona Invest in Bitcoin?

Arizona manages substantial public assets. According to official data, the State Treasury oversaw more than $31.4 billion in assets in 2023. A 10% allocation, as permitted under SB 1025, would allow for up to $3.14 billion to be invested in digital assets, including Bitcoin and blockchain-based NFTs.

The legislation limits investment to highly liquid, secure instruments like Bitcoin and certain non-fungible tokens, while mandating compliance with standard fiduciary risk management protocols to safeguard public funds against volatility and custody risks.

A fully implemented $3.14 billion reserve could translate to roughly 31,000 BTC—instantly making Arizona the second-largest public institutional holder of Bitcoin in the U.S., surpassing corporations like Tesla and Marathon Digital.

Looking ahead, Arizona’s move could serve as a model for other states—and even foreign governments—seeking modern strategies to strengthen public reserves.