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Friday Asian market trading is hot, and the precious metals market is experiencing a strong rally. Driven by escalating geopolitical tensions and the continued weakening of the US dollar, gold and silver prices have risen to record highs, attracting a large influx of safe-haven capital.
Gold Hits New Highs, Approaching $52
Spot gold temporarily surged to a record high of $4531.34 per ounce, with a single-day increase of nearly $52. This is another strong performance of gold driven by risk aversion sentiment. Bloomberg analysis points out that the current core factors pushing up precious metals include increased geopolitical instability and the weakening of the US dollar index.
Changes in the international situation further strengthen investors' safe-haven psychology. Tensions in Venezuela have intensified, with the US imposing sanctions on oil tankers and increasing pressure on the Maduro government; meanwhile, in Africa, the US military has conducted strikes against terrorist targets in Nigeria. These events have all increased market demand for safe-haven assets.

The 2024 US CPI forecast is influenced by the upcoming election, geopolitical conflicts, and Federal Reserve policies, presenting a challenging downward trend. CPI data has a significant impact on the market, and investors should pay attention to its changes and the Federal Reserve's response, while also considering the transmission effect of global logistics costs on inflation. Overall, the CPI trend in 2024 may be more "U-shaped" rather than a continuous decline.

WTI crude oil has recently shown clear bullish signals on the technical front. The daily chart indicates that crude has consistently held above $57.0, with the AO momentum indicator turning upward, suggesting that the ongoing downtrend since June may be reversing. If it can effectively break through and stabilize above $59.0, it could further reach the $61.5 to $64.5 range. Conversely, if it falls below the support level of $57.0, there remains a risk of continued decline.
Geopolitical tensions intensify, supply-side support emerges
The Russia-Ukraine situation remains tense. Recently, Ukraine attempted to target Russian high-level officials with drones, prompting a strong response from Moscow. According to the Russian Foreign Minister, retaliatory measures are being planned, and Russia announced it will adjust its negotiation stance. Ukraine immediately denied these claims, accusing Russia of using false information to justify ongoing attacks.
These series of confrontations indicate that, in the foreseeable future, before Russia-Ukraine ceasefire negotiations

In the vast world of the foreign exchange market, besides the mainstream spot trading, cross currency pairs often offer unexpected opportunities. The euro and the Japanese yen, as two of the most liquid currencies globally, tend to exhibit more dramatic fluctuations in their cross pair than in the spot market. Especially the EUR/JPY pair, which has experienced frequent unexpected volatility in recent years, attracting the attention of many investors. So, what makes this cross pair so special? And how will its future trend develop? This article will explore in depth.
Why choose to trade EUR/JPY?
EUR/JPY is one of the most actively traded cross currency pairs in the Japanese yen market, with its volatility often far exceeding that of the spot EUR/USD.
A typical example is the policy shift by the European Central Bank in March 2023. When the ECB announced a 0.5% rate hike, the market reacted noticeably. Although the US dollar interest rates remained relatively high during the same period, the gains in the spot EUR/USD were not impressive, but

At the beginning of 2025, the international gold spot price demonstrated strong upward momentum. Since reaching a record high of $4,400 per ounce in October last year, despite some pullbacks and consolidations, market momentum has not diminished. Investors are generally asking: Is there still room for gold to rise? How to judge the timing for entering the market now?
To grasp the trend of gold, it is essential to understand the core logic driving this rally. This article will analyze from multiple perspectives the factors behind the surge in international gold spot prices, future outlook, and investment strategies.
Why does gold continue to climb? An analysis of the three main driving factors
Gold has performed remarkably in recent years, reaching a nearly 30-year high in gains
According to Reuters data, the gold price increase in 2024–2025 is approaching the highest level in nearly 30 years, surpassing the 31% in 2007 and 29% in 2010. This shift is not accidental but the result of multiple factors resonating together.
Driving Factor One: Trade Policies

Want to get free BTC? This dream has become almost impossible by 2025. As the total network hash rate surpasses 580EH/s, Bitcoin mining has long evolved from a personal hobby into an industry dominated by institutions. So, what other ways are there for ordinary people to participate? Is mobile mining really feasible?
What exactly is mining? Why are miners so important?
The essence of Bitcoin mining is simple: miners use mining machines to help the Bitcoin network keep records, and in return, they receive BTC rewards.
Miners control the hash power, and their actions directly determine the life and death of the entire Bitcoin network. Without miners' activities, the Bitcoin network would stop producing blocks and become paralyzed. For this reason, as long as mining remains profitable, there will always be people willing to join in, driving the stable operation of the BTC network.
How does mining work: An analysis of the proof-of-work mechanism
Bitcoin uses a mechanism called "proof of work"(Proo

Wistron (5274) today experienced a strong surge in its stock price, starting from NT$7,335 in the early trading session and continuously advancing, reaching a historical high of NT$7,715 intraday. The closing price was NT$7,550, up NT$450 for the day, a 6.34% increase. Even more noteworthy is that the trading volume exploded to over 570 lots—this is not only a phenomenon accompanying the stock's new high but also indicates a shift in market sentiment towards this stock king.
Massive trading volume and new high in stock price, is it good or bad?
Many investors see "massive volume and rising price" as a positive signal—large buying momentum, naturally pushing the stock price higher. However, in the case of Wistron, the background is more complex. On one hand, the record-breaking volume of 570 lots indeed reflects active positioning by institutional investors and foreign funds, especially driven by year-end profit-taking and accounting activities; on the other hand, with the stock price already above NT$7 and the P/E ratio at a relatively high level, the large trading volume may also indicate that some investors are taking profits at the high levels.

Market Focuses on Power Bottlenecks, BBU Concept Stocks Face Structural Opportunities
The broader market experienced fluctuations and adjustments today, but amid the surge in energy demand driven by artificial intelligence computing and data center expansion, the BBU-related sector has defied the trend and become a focal point. Lithium battery module manufacturer GABY (3323) surged strongly and hit the daily limit, closing at NT$44.65. Xingneng Gao (6558) and Xisheng (3625) also hit the daily limit with synchronized gains, driving the entire sector higher and highlighting the market's reassessment of the power backup industry.
From Optional to Essential, BBU Strategic Position Rises
BBU (Battery Backup Unit) is essentially an emergency power supply device with built-in batteries. Its main function is to provide short-term backup power during power outages, ensuring critical equipment can complete data preservation or perform a smooth shutdown, making it the last line of defense for data center operations. Its importance has sharply increased, driven mainly by two major factors:
First, AI development...

Taiwan stocks recently broke through 28,400 points to hit a new all-time high. Interestingly, investors' enthusiasm is not entirely focused on the most soaring tech stocks. By observing capital flows, it becomes clear that investors' choices are quietly changing — when the market is at a high, everyone begins to ask a practical question: should they chase after soaring stock prices or steadily receive dividends?
This shift is evident from ETF trading volume data. Over the past month, among the top ten passive Taiwan stock ETFs by average daily trading volume, high-yield ETFs account for half of the market share, including Yuanta Taiwan High Dividend Yield (00919), Cathay Sustainable High Dividend (00878), Fubon Select High Dividend 30 (00900), Yuanta High Dividend (0056), and Yuanta Taiwan Value High Yield (00940). Among them, 00919 has led its peers with a nearly 2.33% increase in recent months and has maintained an annualized dividend yield of over 10% for 11 consecutive quarters, making it Taiwan's stock king.

When trading stocks, forex, or other financial instruments, you often encounter two basic order types—market orders and limit orders. However, many novice traders are still unclear about the meaning of market prices and the appropriate timing to use these two order types. This article will analyze each one to help you establish correct trading concepts.
The Fundamental Difference Between Market Orders and Limit Orders
To understand what a market price means, first understand the characteristics of a market order: a market order is an order to buy or sell immediately at the current market quote. Traders do not need to set the price themselves; the transaction price is determined by the market.
For example, if the real-time bid for EUR/USD is 1.12365 and the ask is 1.12345, a trader wanting to buy EUR/USD immediately will execute the trade at 1.12365. However, it’s important to note that due to the rapid fluctuations in the market, the actual transaction price may differ from the price you see.
In contrast, a limit order is an order where traders set their own price to buy or sell.

Recently, gold has been rising quite wildly. After a correction from the high of $4,400 in October, it has been widely optimistic. What is really going on behind this? Many investors are asking: Is it still worth entering now? Instead of blindly following the trend, it's better to first understand the logic behind gold price fluctuations.
Why is the gold curve so steep? Analysis of the three main drivers
1. Market uncertainty caused by tariff policies
Starting in 2025, a series of policy adjustments have significantly increased market risk aversion. Whenever there are changes in economic policies, investors seek safe-haven assets, with gold being the top choice. Based on historical experience, during periods of policy uncertainty like the US-China trade war in 2018, gold typically experiences a short-term surge of 5-10%.
2. Continued fermentation of Fed rate cut expectations
What does a rate cut mean? Simply put: lower interest rates → decreased attractiveness of the US dollar → increased attractiveness of gold.
Gold and real interest rates

The divergence in Federal Reserve policy signals has caused gold to remain in a stalemate. Recently, New York Federal Reserve Bank President John Williams sent dovish signals, indicating room for rate cuts, which immediately pushed the market’s December rate cut probability to 67%. However, Dallas Federal Reserve Bank President Lori Logan advocated for maintaining the policy rate, and the conflicting tones led to a cautious trading atmosphere. Meanwhile, the USD trend chart shows the dollar has been steadily strengthening since late May, reaching multi-month highs and exerting clear pressure on non-yielding assets.
The strong performance of risk assets further weakens safe-haven demand. During Monday’s Asian session, Asian stocks generally rose, and market participants’ optimistic expectations for Fed rate cuts directly translated into a chase for risk assets. As a traditional safe-haven tool, gold’s appeal has been somewhat diminished, with traders initiating sell-offs around $4050, with a modest but clear downward direction.
Geopolitical risks have become a significant factor in the downside space for gold.

Taiwan stocks rose 0.62% today, closing at 28,198.02 points, with electrical machinery stocks performing notably. TSMC's market share reached 71%, with strong revenue driven by demand for smartphones and high-performance computing. Electrical machinery and cable stocks also surged significantly, indicating an industry recovery. Although the global wafer foundry landscape remains stable and Taiwanese manufacturers hold a clear advantage, geopolitical risks could impact future growth. Investors should pay attention to financial reports and capital flows.

The Power Crisis in the AI Era: Why the Heavy Electricity Industry Faces a Decade of Opportunities
Over the past few decades, the growth in global electricity demand has been relatively stable and predictable, making electricity investments seen as a steady but unexciting sector with limited explosive growth. However, this situation has undergone a fundamental change in the last three to five years.
The exponential growth of AI and data centers acts like a massive power consumption engine, with impacts on the power supply system far exceeding market expectations. The training process of a single large AI model consumes as much electricity as thousands of households use in a year. Today, hundreds of millions of users worldwide utilize AI tools like ChatGPT and Midjourney daily, and the data centers behind them must operate around the clock, resulting in an astonishing demand for electricity.
According to the International Energy Agency, global data center electricity consumption is projected to surpass 945 TWh by 2030, more than doubling the current level and approaching Japan's total annual electricity consumption.

The Taiwanese dollar has risen to 4.85 against the Japanese yen, and the popularity of travel to Japan is rebounding. More and more investors are also buying yen. But do you really know the smartest way to exchange yen? From in-person counters to online platforms, from cash to bank accounts, each method hides potential exchange rate traps. This article reveals the latest exchange rates from Taiwan's five major banks, the hidden costs of four major currency exchange channels, and recommended yen denomination allocations to help you save money.
Why is the yen worth investing in? Three market-level reasons
Many people think exchanging yen is only for traveling abroad, but few realize that the yen has long become an important asset in the global financial market.
Stable as a safe-haven currency
The yen is ranked alongside the US dollar and Swiss franc as one of the world's three major safe-haven currencies. Japan's economic fundamentals are stable, and its debt structure is relatively healthy. Whenever international tensions rise or stock markets plummet, capital tends to flow into the yen for safety. During the Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2022, the yen appreciated by 8% in a single week, effectively offsetting stock market declines, making it a valuable asset for Taiwan.

The Japanese stock market breaks 40,000 points. How long can the rebound logic last?
In the first half of 2025, after experiencing a rapid decline, the Japanese stock market quickly recovered. On June 30, the Nikkei 225 index surged to 40,487 points, reaching a nearly one-year high. What is driving this rebound? Should investors continue to be optimistic?
Market perceptions of Japanese corporate valuations are being rewritten. During the April tariff impact, the P/E ratio of Japanese stocks briefly fell to 12, making it much cheaper compared to major global markets. As the market re-evaluates fundamentals, the P/E ratio gradually rebounded to 13, which is the main driver of the valuation recovery.
Another force comes from the reallocation of overseas funds. The wave of "reducing holdings in US stocks" is growing louder, and international investors are starting to look for new capital destinations. The relatively undervalued Japanese stock market has become a key target. The corporate governance reforms promoted by the Tokyo Stock Exchange are also showing results—companies are beginning to increase dividends and implement treasury stock plans, based

Odd-lot investing has become the mainstream choice for retail investors in Taiwan, especially for those with limited funds. This article will delve into practical tips on how to sell odd-lot stocks more easily, how to sell stocks in odd-lot form, as well as trading hours and fee structures, to help you master this investment tool.
Basic Concepts and Origins of Odd-Lot Stocks
An odd-lot refers to a stock position of fewer than 1,000 shares (one standard lot). The minimum trading unit for a standard lot is 1,000 shares, but investors often hold odd-lot shares due to unfilled orders or stock dividends and distributions. The minimum trading unit for odd-lot stocks is 1 share, and each order cannot exceed 999 shares.
The main reasons for the creation of odd-lot stocks include:
- Rapid stock price fluctuations causing partial orders not to be filled
- Transactions exceeding the target price before reaching the desired quantity
- Fragmented shares resulting from stock distribution processes
Detailed Explanation of Odd-Lot Trading Fee Structure
Handling fee calculation method

By mid-December 2025, the Taiwanese dollar has risen above 4.85 against the Japanese yen. People who want to travel to Japan or take the opportunity to allocate yen assets are starting to act. However, there is not just one way to exchange for yen; simply choosing different exchange channels can result in cost differences of several thousand TWD. What's the most cost-effective way to exchange? Let's compare all options side by side.
First, understand: How much yen do you actually need?
Before deciding how to exchange, ask yourself three questions:
What is the purpose? Pure travel expenses (mainly cash), purchasing for investment, or foreign exchange asset allocation?
How much? Under 50,000 TWD is considered small emergency funds; 200,000 to 500,000 TWD is a medium investment scale.
Is time tight? Do you need to withdraw immediately before traveling, or can you plan ahead?
For 50,000 TWD, at the current exchange rate of 4.85, you can exchange approximately 242,500 yen. But the final amount you receive depends on the exchange method you choose.