XAU/USD – Daily Chart
Forex Signals Jan 7: APLD Earnings Beat, US Jobs Weak Ahead of NFP
Markets balanced mixed U.S. employment signals ahead of Friday’s payrolls report, while Applied Digital’s latest earnings highlighted...
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Last updated: Thursday, January 8, 2026
Quick overview
- U.S. employment data showed mixed signals, with a steady labor market but softening job openings, keeping markets on edge ahead of the non-farm payrolls report.
- Applied Digital reported a 250% increase in revenue year-over-year, highlighting significant growth in AI-data infrastructure despite a net loss improvement.
- Commodity markets experienced volatility, with gold and silver seeing sharp intraday swings as profit-taking dominated trading.
- Cryptocurrencies remained active, with Bitcoin and Ethereum showing resilience despite recent pullbacks, supported by key moving averages.
Markets balanced mixed U.S. employment signals ahead of Friday’s payrolls report, while Applied Digital’s latest earnings highlighted accelerating growth in AI-data infrastructure.
US Employment Data Keeps Markets on Edge
The U.S. dollar found underlying support after employment indicators delivered a mixed but generally steady picture. An in-line ADP private payrolls report and a strong ISM services reading helped underpin the greenback, reinforcing signs of resilience in the labor market.
That optimism was tempered by a weaker-than-expected JOLTS report, which pointed to softening job openings. Together, the data has added intrigue ahead of Friday’s non-farm payrolls release. While not decisive, the pre-NFP indicators so far suggest the labor market remains firm enough to keep policy expectations finely balanced.
Commodities Volatile as Profit-Taking Accelerates
Commodity markets once again saw sharp intraday swings. Silver briefly surged above the $80 level before reversing aggressively, later stabilizing as buyers stepped back in. The move highlighted the elevated volatility that has become a feature of precious metals trading.
Gold also moved lower on the session, with profit-taking dominating after its recent advance. The pullback appeared technical rather than fundamental, as broader macro uncertainty continues to underpin longer-term demand.
Oil prices extended their decline as traders digested ongoing developments surrounding Venezuela. Comments from President Trump’s team about potentially taking control of Venezuelan oil supplies, selling them, and holding proceeds in U.S. accounts have added uncertainty, weighing further on crude sentiment.
APLD Fiscal Q2 2026 Continuing Operations Highlights:
- Revenue: $126.6 million, representing a 250% increase from the same period last year
- Net loss attributable to common shareholders: $31.2 million, an improvement of 76% year over year
- Net loss per basic and diluted share: $0.11, down 82% from the prior-year period
- Adjusted net income: $0.1 million
- Adjusted net income per diluted share: $0.00
- Adjusted EBITDA: $20.2 million
The results highlight rapid revenue expansion alongside significant progress in narrowing losses, underscoring Applied Digital’s continued scaling within the AI and high-performance computing infrastructure space.
Key Market Events to Watch Today: Swiss CPI Inflation
After 0.1% in October, the print in November was 0.0% Y/Y. As of the December statement, the average projection for Q4 2025 is 0.1%, which is lower than the prior forecast of 0.4% and suggests a December print of about 0.2%. Although the announcement will get attention, the medium-term outlook—which the SNB said only “little changed” between December and September—remains the major emphasis. Importantly, for the duration of the projected horizon, CPI is anticipated to stay within the target range of 0–2%. Chairman Schlegel may have lessened the impact of any cooler-than-expected reading in the near future by stating that he cannot claim that a lower CPI outlook increases the likelihood of a return to NIRP.
Gold Pushes Above $4,500
Although demand for safe haven assets is still high, gold fell precipitously from record highs following the Fed’s most recent rate cut comments, as profit-taking was prompted by Powell’s cautious tone. Earlier this month, gold jumped above $4.3800 following the Federal Reserve’s announcement of a 25 basis point rate decrease. But the impetus soon waned, and prices dropped back to $4,004. The 20 daily SMA (gray) held as support last week and buyers returned and pushed XAU above $4,500K.
Holding Long in USD/JPY
Foreign exchange markets saw sharp swings. Early in the week, U.S. yield differentials and Japanese capital outflows pushed the dollar above ¥150, but disappointing U.S. jobs data triggered profit-taking, causing the USD/JPY to slide by four yen from its peak. However, the new BOJ governor the JPY has weakened and USD/JPY soared to 154 and we decided to close our buy signal for more than 80 pips as the pair found support at the 20 daily SMA (gray) and has rebounded more than 200 pips off that MA but reversed after the 25 bps rate cut from the FED.
USD/JPY – Daily Chart
Cryptocurrency Update
Bitcoin Still Supported by the 100 Weekly SMA
Cryptocurrencies remained highly active over the summer. Bitcoin (BTC) climbed to fresh highs of $123,000 and $124,000 in July and August, supported by institutional inflows and technical strength. However, remarks from Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent ruling out U.S. increases to BTC reserves triggered a steep pullback, sending the coin down below $105,000 before finding support at the 200 daily SMA (purple) and recovering above $115,000 but then fell toward $100K again. However BTC remains supported by the 100 weekly SMA (green) and only a break below that would risk further losses.
BTC/USD – Weekly Chart
Ethereum Faces the 50 Daily SMA
Ethereum (ETH) has been similarly strong, surging toward $4,800, its highest since 2021 and near its all-time peak of $4,860. Despite a dip last week, ETH found support at the 20-day SMA, with retail enthusiasm and renewed institutional participation driving fresh upside momentum. Last week we saw a dive below $2.700 but the 200 weekly SMA held as support and we’re seeing a rebound but buyers face the 50 SMA (yellow) now.
ETH/USD – Weekly Chart
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Skerdian Meta
Lead Analyst
Skerdian Meta Lead Analyst.
Skerdian is a professional Forex trader and a market analyst. He has been actively engaged in market analysis for the past 11 years. Before becoming our head analyst, Skerdian served as a trader and market analyst in Saxo Bank's local branch, Aksioner. Skerdian specialized in experimenting with developing models and hands-on trading. Skerdian has a masters degree in finance and investment.
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