Financial Markets Daily Report15 January 2026
Risk-off session as geopolitical risks remained in focus. Oil prices climbed for a fifth consecutive session, with Brent crude gaining more than 10% over the past five days to trade around $66/barrel. Gold reached fresh record highs above $4,600/ounce. On both sides of the Atlantic, sovereign yields edged lower, while equities modestly retreated.
On the macro front, US retail sales rose more than expected in November (+0.6% mom, 3.3% yoy), supported by solid holiday spending and strong auto sales. In Fed developments, a group of 11 central bank chiefs, including officials from the ECB, BoE, and the Bank of Canada, publicly voiced support for Fed Chair Jerome Powell amid the ongoing DoJ investigation.
In Asia, China reported a record trade surplus for 2025, as robust exports to non-US markets, particularly Africa and Southeast Asia, offset weaker demand from the US following new tariffs. In Japan, the yen partially recovered after officials warned of possible intervention to support the currency. Japanese equities extended their rally and are now up 8% YTD.