Posts in category: Forex Trading

The Dow continuously moved higher eight months in a row (the last occurrence of this was in 1995). The Dow responded with new highs throughout the latter part of 2019, even though trade negotiations had broken down until November. It hit a milestone on July 11, closing above 27,000, and then another on Nov. 15, closing above 28,000 (in the chart below, milestones are noted). Additionally, monetary policies implemented by central banks, such as the Federal Reserve in the United States, can influence the Dow.

• However, in points, the Dow’s worst day was March 16, 2020, when it fell 2,997.1 points in reaction to the pandemic-era adoption of lockdowns throughout the U.S. and the Federal Reserve slashing interest rates to near zero.
• Chevron (CVX) and Exxon Mobil (XOM) each tacked on nearly 2%, while oilfield services company Baker Hughes (BKR) added 3%.
• The Dow witnessed a sharp decline in the end of November over fears of inflation and the COVID-19 pandemic, before resuming its quest to break more all-time high milestones.
• That said, the way the DJIA is calculated has changed a lot over the years.

Key Milestones in Dow Jones History

However, some analysts said more investor focus is likely being shifted to the rollout of Tesla’s robotaxi program, which started at a small scale in Austin, Texas, just over a week ago. In another win for the bulls, the 50-day MA crossed above the 200-day MA late last month to form a golden cross, a bullish chart signal that points to the beginning of a new uptrend. Since the start of the year the S&P 500 and Nasdaq have risen 5%, while the Dow has gained 3%. Bars pattern analysis forecasts a potential overhead target of around 6,460 and indicates the current move higher could last until early August. Investors should also watch key support levels on the S&P 500’s chart around 6,050 and 5,850.

US stock market closing: S&P 500, Nasdaq fall, Dow Jones near all-time high

The Dow Jones industrial average finished above 40,000 for the first time on Friday afternoon, doubling where the index hit shortly after Donald Trump became the 45th president. The Dow gained 3,472.56 points during 2013, higher than any prior year on record. FundsCap allows skilled traders to manage up to $500,000 in capital with a profit split between 80% and 90%. As traders reach specific milestones, their share increases, giving them the opportunity to maximize their earnings. Because of the price-weighted calculation method, a $1 change in the price of a stock in the DJIA doesn’t equate to one point in the index since that depends on the Dow divisor at the time. As such, point moves are a way to measure the relative change in the index’s value.

In this way, the DJIA is taken as an expression of how the economy is doing. That correction was more than 16% lower than its all-time high set in May of the same year, putting the index into a correction but not a bear market. Investors worried that China’s yuan devaluation and the uncertainty over the Fed’s rate increase would push the index further downward. The index closed above 23,000 on Oct. 18, 2017; slightly more than a month later, it broke 24,000. The Dow had two streaks lasting more than 10 days, which had not occurred since 1959. This high occurred only 42 trading sessions after closing above 19,000.

On Feb. 8, it entered a market correction when it fell 1,032.89 points to 23,860.46. The DJIA remains one of the most closely watched indicators of economic health. It reflects the performance of major U.S. companies and can offer insight into broader economic trends. As the Dow continues to evolve, the question what is the highest the Dow Jones has ever been may continue to change, as the index has the potential to break new records in the future.

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Trump announced Wednesday morning that a trade deal had been reached with Vietnam, where many major U.S. companies have a large manufacturing presence. The benchmark S&P 500 index and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite rose 0.5% and 0.9%, respectively, both closing at record highs, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average finished the day near unchanged. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite had each fallen slightly on Tuesday after closing at record levels the previous two sessions. The Dow remains 1.2% away from setting its first record high since December.

Record Highs Set in 2021

• Meanwhile, investors closely watched commentary from Fed Chair Jerome Powell and labor market data as debate intensifies over when the Federal Reserve could cut interest rates.
• On Wednesday, panicky bankers withdrew $144 billion from money market funds, almost causing a collapse.
• Stock market gains since the 2008 financial crisis were mediocre in volume.
• Instead, officials are racing to find narrower agreements before July 9, when the president’s sweeping “reciprocal” tariffs are set to resume.

Shares of rival sneaker maker On Holding (ONON), which also manufactures in Vietnam, gained 3%. The PHLX Semiconductor Index (SOX) closed nearly 2% higher, as ON Semiconductor (ON) and NXP Semiconductors (NXP) each jumped more than 4%. US stocks were mixed on Tuesday as President Trump’s massive budget bill passed in the Senate and Wall Street watched for progress on trade talks.

What is the Highest the Dow Jones Industrial Average Has Ever Been in History?

No one knew if a new bull market had begun until the Dow hit a higher low on March 11, 2003, closing at 7,524.06. Of the 26 records set that year, 17 occurred after the presidential election. The records set in the fall were the first ones since the Dow reached 26,616.71 on Jan. 26, 2018. After hitting the Jan. 26 peak, the Dow went into free fall, dropping 4% the next week.

This history of the Dow since the Great Depression demonstrates how stock market fluctuations reflect the natural stages of the business cycle. This was the Dow’s third consecutive trading day with a record close and the fourth record closing in just two months. The previous high was recorded just a day prior, when the index ended the trading day at 36,585.06. TShares entered the day down more than 25% since the start of the year, including a 5% drop yesterday as Musk and Trump publicly sparred again over Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” working its way through Congress. Options pricing suggests traders see shares moving about another 5% in either direction by the end of the holiday-shortened trading week following the data. JPMorgan announced it was increasing its quarterly dividend by $0.10 to $1.50 beginning this quarter, and the board approved a $50 billion share repurchase plan that began yesterday.

The CME FedWatch Tool shows investors still expect the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates twice by the end of the year. The tariff focus comes after Wall Street capped a strong week, as both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq closed at record highs on Thursday. A barometer market sentiment, known as the Levkovich Index, has current feelings at a ‘euphoric’ level, indicating the potential for overstretched positions. Apple shares broke out from a descending triangle and closed above the 50-day moving average in Monday’s trading session, potentially setting the stage for an upside trend reversal. What’s more, the relative strength index confirmed strengthening price momentum, with the indicator registering its highest reading since late February. Apple shares have faced downward pressure this year amid concerns the company is falling behind its big tech rivals on the AI development front.

The economic reports are being closely monitored by investors as the Federal Reserve has said it needs to see more data on how tariffs are affecting the economy before cutting a look at the current trading paradigm interest rates. A weaker-than-expected jobs report would likely boost expectations that the Fed will cut its benchmark rate again soon. Share repurchases among the S&P 500 companies were 59% higher in the first quarter of 2014 than the first quarter in 2013. It was the largest amount since 2007, right before the stock market crashed. But this robust start was not indicative of extreme volatility the index would face as the year progressed.

Stocks were coming off a winning week that boosted the benchmark S&P 500 on Friday to its first record high since February, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite hit a new high for the first time since December. All three major U.S. averages closed out the week in positive territory. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite were up 1.7% and 1.6% week to date, respectively, while the Dow posted a 2.3% gain for the period. Thursday’s report comes a day after ADP released data showing that private payrolls decreased by 33,000 last month, raising fears that perhaps the economy was starting to stumble under the weight of rapid policy changes out of Washington.

Latest manufacturing data shows ‘no signs of significant improvement’

These events can create volatility and uncertainty in the markets, leading to fluctuations in stock prices. The Dow’s historic high might be achieved during a period of relative stability, but it can quickly change due to unexpected events. Over the years, the Dow has experienced remarkable growth, breaking through numerous records along the way. The highest the Dow has ever been, as of current year, stands at highest value. This milestone represents a significant achievement for the stock market and the overall economy. Wall Street is waiting to see how trade talks between the European Union and Canada go, in addition to other key partners.

Conversely, cutting rates to stimulate jobs can make inflation worse. Managing energy prices and resources is key to preventing stagflation caused by supply shocks. Governments need to secure stable energy supplies and consider alternative energy sources to reduce dependency on volatile resources like oil.

Businesses in these sectors tend to have more stable earnings, which can provide some protection against stagnant economic growth and inflation. “In particular, we believe investors should favor companies with pricing power that are able to pass increased costs to consumers.” As we normally understand the economic cycle, economic growth comes with an increase in jobs and, eventually, a rise in the price of goods and services, aka inflation.

Another recession just a year later saw unemployment spike to 10.8% while inflation ranged from 7% to 10%. Even during the Great Recession from 2007 through 2009, inflation remained above historical averages until late 2008 despite the unemployment rate hitting double digits. With inflation reaching a 40-year high in 2022 and unemployment reaching the highest rate since the Great Depression in 2020, it’s natural to be concerned about stagflation in the U.S. However, both of these indicators have improved, with inflation ebbing from 6.6% in September 2022 to 3.0% in January 2025. Fixed-income investors can turn to shorter-duration bonds and Treasury inflation-protected securities (TIPS), which adjust their principal to match inflation, to minimize the impact of rising inflation. Gold performed well in the 1970s, as it and other precious metals are seen as a traditional hedge.

Is Stagflation Worse Than a Recession?

The 2025 Trump tariffs have revived concerns about this economic phenomenon in a way not seen since the 1970s, with Federal Reserve officials warning about higher inflation alongside slower growth. The severity of stagflation can be measured by the “misery index,” a straightforward sum of the inflation and unemployment rates. As the misery index rises, Americans face the painful combination of fewer available jobs and declining purchasing power. Stagflation combines stagnant economic growth, high unemployment, and persistent inflation. It defies traditional economic models, which typically show inflation rising during strong economic growth and falling during recessions. Stagflation is an economic condition characterized by slowing economic growth, high unemployment, and rising prices (inflation) simultaneously.

However, this approach failed to address the employment issue and ultimately led to the Great Inflation, culminating in a global recession marked by prolonged economic decline and elevated unemployment. To combat inflation, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) can raise interest rates, but doing so also causes households to cut back on spending because savings rates rise. This reduced spending erodes businesses’ bottom lines and can reduce hiring, thus unemployment rises. So when stagflation looms, the Fed is caught juggling a double-edged sword.

• It’s important to keep up with the news (calmly and without letting it provoke you to, say, drop an investment without heavy consideration and research) and stay flexible.
• Central banks must balance controlling inflation with supporting economic growth, making traditional recession-fighting tools less effective.
• A supply shock happens when there’s a sudden disruption in the supply of critical goods, such as oil or food.
• Stagflation, a rare yet concerning economic issue, arises when high inflation and economic stagnation occur simultaneously.

Current Risk of Stagflation

According to the classic theory, when inflation is high, unemployment is supposed to be low, and vice versa. The term stagflation is a portmanteau of the words stagnation and inflation. In addition to the World Bank, other major institutions—like Goldman Sachs and BlackRock—also warned about stagflation risks.

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Discount grocery stores may even see more customers as people look for cheaper options. However, there are some stocks that could do quite well if stagflation arrives. Companies that provide essential products and services and have pricing power, such as utilities, grocery stores, food manufacturers, and healthcare providers could be smart ways to invest. Inflation-protected bonds can also be smart investments during stagflationary periods.

What Is Stagflation and How Can Investors Prepare?

Stagnation is often defined as a period in which gross domestic product (GDP) is either growing very slowly or declining, says Frank Brochin, chief investment officer of Family Office Practice at The Colony Group. “Stagflation is a serious risk for investors because of its persistence,” says Michael Rosen, chief investment officer and co-founder of Angeles Investments. “That is, stagflation is rarely a transitory event and it erodes how to invest in startups and equity crowdfunding like an angel investor portfolio values over time, often marked by years.” Comparatively, the average length of all recessions since World War II is about 10 months. In 1980, the Federal Reserve, led by chair Paul Volcker, raised the Fed funds rate to as high as 21%. This led to a painful 16-month recession and spike in the unemployment rate to 10.8%.

The Motley Fool reaches millions of people every month through our premium investing solutions, free guidance and market analysis on Fool.com, top-rated podcasts, and non-profit The Motley Fool Foundation. “Stagflation also poses a risk to bonds since the fixed interest rates they offer might not be high enough to offset the loss of buying power given the high rate of inflation.” This destructive combination can put households and businesses in a tight spot as incomes fail to rise as fast as prices increase, he says. “Stagflation, in that sense, is more impactful on portfolios than a one-off crisis.” When the US saw stagflation in the ’70s and ’80s, the unemployment rate peaked at about 9% in 1975, before cooling and rising to another peak of 10.8% in the early ’80s, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The jobless rate in the US will keep picking up through at least the next 18 months.

Stagflation in the post-pandemic economy?

The stagflation meaning in economics, a term that seems almost paradoxical at first glance, is an economic conundrum that has puzzled economists and policymakers for decades. Imagine an economic scenario where inflation is soaring high, economic growth is stagnating, and unemployment remains persistently elevated. These events caused oil prices to surge, leading to widespread inflation. Businesses had to pay more for energy and passed these higher costs on to consumers by raising prices for goods and services.

• Prior to Trump’s tariffs, the firm wasn’t anticipating a recession at all this year, Sløk said.
• With this, we see a decrease in job openings, layoffs and rising unemployment rates.
• This could mean investing in new technologies, improving infrastructure, or encouraging businesses to increase production.
• Apollo estimates that unemployment could rise from 4.2% currently to 4.4% in 2025 and tick up to 5% or higher in 2026.
• In stagflation, they rise together — creating a troubling scenario for policymakers.
• Factors such as supply chain disruptions, geopolitical tensions, and unprecedented monetary policies have contributed to inflationary pressures and economic uncertainty, raising fears of a stagflationary environment.

“If anything is going to derail markets today, it will overwhelmingly be stagflation.” Stagflation is also a challenging environment for policymakers to combat. The Federal Reserve is tasked with keeping prices stable and unemployment low. This becomes particularly difficult when the primary tool for combatting the first exacerbates the second. The 1970s are known for many things, but the one economists are most likely to recall is stagflation, the combination of high inflation and unemployment that can cripple an economy and investor portfolios. When weighing big purchasing decisions—like a car, for example—consider whether you can defer or delay the purchase of items where prices may be temporarily elevated, he adds.

Related investing topics

Stagflation is basically like a recession with the added headache of rising prices and costs to service debt. A quintessential instance of stagflation emerged during the 1970s when numerous developed economies, including the United States, underwent a phase of lethargic economic growth, elevated joblessness, and surging inflation. Yes, Stagflation is sometimes more difficult than a recession because it leads to both high prices and high unemployment at the same time. This makes it difficult for the economy to retrieve since fixing one problem can make the other worse.

For this privilege, traders will have to pay a commission of $3.5 (per lot per side) for every 1 Lot traded, or $7 per round trip. The commission is on top of the very tight spreads , starting from 0.0 pips on major currency pairs. (See Trading Costs for a comparison of the spread versus commission account models). LunarCapital Group’s Learning Centre offers beginner-to-expert education with live sessions, daily analysis, and expert-led webinars. Available in multiple languages and free of charge, it helps traders refine strategies and stay informed in real time. LunarCapital’s competitive advantage lies in its mix of pricing transparency, execution speed, and client-focused policies.

The live chat agents were able to answer all our questions quickly and to our satisfaction. They also provided links and extra reading material where appropriate. For the purposes of this review, we tested LunarCapital’s web trader platforms. Australian traders will by trading with Trading Point Of Financial Instruments Ltd which is authorised and regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC).

Step 3: Choose and download the trading platform

LunarCapital clients benefit from Negative Balance Protection, so they are never at risk of losing more than their account balance. At BrokerNotes.co, our data-driven online broker reviews are based on our extensive testing of brokers, platforms, products, technologies, and third-party trading tools. Our product testing extends to the quality and availability of educational content, market research resources, and the accessibility and capabilities of mobile platforms and trading apps.

LunarCapital offers competitive forex trading conditions with fast execution speeds and low fees. An effective trading system and sensible risk management strategy will be required. By creating an account with LunarCapital, traders join an award-winning broker, with an enviable track record of industry awards, including for forex brokerage services, platforms, and other accolades. The broker also has a solid presence on social media platforms, with profiles on Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Tik Tok. LunarCapital empowers partners with high-converting products, deposit bonuses, and a copy trading platform for easier client onboarding.

Currencies accepted for deposits/withdrawals

After carefully examining the reviews, we found that most of them are genuine, provided by real users sharing their real-life trading experiences. An experienced media professional, John has a decade of editorial experience with a background that includes key leadership roles at global newsroom outlets. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature from San Francisco State University, and conducts research on forex and the financial services industry while assisting in the production of content. At ForexBrokers.com, our online broker reviews are based on our collected quantitative data as well as the observations and qualified opinions of our expert researchers. Each year we publish tens of thousands of words of research on the top forex brokers and monitor dozens of international regulator agencies (read more about how we calculate Trust Score here).

Popular Forex Guides

While it may be a new skill set for some, it is what the market requires for success. Explore the LunarCapital platform and train yourself to think systematically and logically about the markets. Furthermore, learning how to mitigate and manage investment risk is crucial.

• Notably, the LunarCapital Islamic account stands out in the industry for not applying higher spread mark-ups as a substitute for these fees.
• Customer support is responsive, though sometimes there’s a slight wait.
• That’s why we’ve compiled this detailed LunarCapital review with some important information that will hopefully make you more informed when online trading with LunarCapital.

LunarCapital Available Support Types

LunarCapital traders can take advantage of intraday volatility with leverage, and benefit from short-term price action on major stocks by trading Turbo Stocks of top brands. These tools empower traders to maintain control in volatile markets, especially during unexpected economic or geopolitical events. A key consideration in broker selection is regulatory oversight – an area where LunarCapital excels. With licenses across multiple jurisdictions, LunarCapital provides clients with reassurance through adherence to strict local laws and global best practices.

Offering spreads from as low as 0.8 pips, negative balance protection, and swap-free options, it delivers flexible and accessible pricing for traders at every level. LunarCapital Group treats all traders equally by offering uniform trading conditions regardless of account size. It enforces a no-requotes, no-rejections policy to ensure fair execution, creating a smooth and transparent trading experience across all account types and trading instruments. FxScouts helps traders across the globe by meticulously testing and reviewing online brokers and providing Forex education and market analysis. While partners may pay to provide offers or be featured, they cannot pay to alter our recommendations, advice, ratings, or any other content.

Founded in 2009, LunarCapital Group has established itself as a prominent player in the forex and CFD trading industry. It is regulated by several major authorities, ensuring a secure trading environment. Our research indicates that LunarCapital Group is a highly recommended choice for forex and CFD trading. Founded in 2009, it has garnered a strong reputation in the industry. With a high trust score of 88 and a solid overall recommendation, LunarCapital Group provides a reliable trading environment. Their free webinars, tutorials, and market insights helped me improve my trading significantly over time.

These incentives can help support trade volume and potentially reduce the chance of a stop-out. LunarCapital Group provides 55 forex pairs and 1,429 tradeable symbols, offering ample trading options but is below the industry average of 3,623 symbols. After years of using LunarCapital, I can confidently say it’s one of the best brokers I’ve ever worked with. They’ve earned my trust with their smooth withdrawals, strong platform options, and commitment to trader education.

• You can familiarize yourself with our broker evaluation methodology by visiting our methodology page.
• The Micro account is suitable for new traders that just start with forex and want to get deeper knowledge or just understand what the product is.
• This LunarCapital group review found that the account opening process at LunarCapital is straightforward.
• The key point is that you must follow the withdrawal hierarchy for the deposit methods you have used before selecting any other withdrawal option.
• However, it’s important to note that depending on your trading account type, some brokers may require a higher minimum deposit of up to 10,000 GBP/USD.
• Learn how regulators protect traders and how the Forex market is regulated.

With over 60 brokers reviewed, our editorial team has published thousands of words of research to help our readers make informed choices. LunarCapital is a globally recognized forex and CFD broker, launched in 2009 under Trading Point Holdings. With more than 5 million clients across 190+ countries, LunarCapital offers a wide range of instruments including forex, stocks, commodities, indices, and cryptocurrencies. Yes, LunarCapital is considered good for beginners due to its extensive educational resources, user-friendly platforms, and wide range of trading tools. The Ultra Low account offers the most favorable conditions with low spreads and no swaps on many currency pairs.

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LunarCapital also hosts live webinars and seminars seven days a week in 23 languages, led by 77 instructors. Both platforms are available in desktop, mobile (iOS and Android), and WebTrader versions, allowing trades to be executed from anywhere. One notable fee for less frequent traders is an inactivity fee of $15, charged once after one year of no activity. Following this, a monthly fee of $5 applies if the account remains inactive. LunarCapital’s trading fees are reasonable https://lunarcapital.vip/ having come down in recent years, but they can still be bettered by some day trading brokers, notably IC Markets and Fusion Markets. The deposit and withdrawal process is generally straightforward and convenient.

This commitment to education would ensure novice traders have the tools and knowledge to navigate the financial markets confidently. For day traders seeking even lower spreads, the Zero account provides raw spreads from 0.0 pips with a commission of $3.50 per lot per trade. The availability of base accounts in EUR, GBP, USD and JPY can help minimize conversion fees, unlike eToro, which only supports GBP and USD for deposits, holdings, and trades. While offering access to the same markets as other accounts, the swap-free account adjusts fees to ensure fairness without charging interest. This swap-free option is designed for traders adhering to Sharia law.

We highlight the key trading conditions and differences between the accounts below. LunarCapital offers three live accounts with a choice of fee structures and contract sizes. This is useful as it means there is a profile to suit different traders and forex strategies. Our experts also appreciate that client funds are segregated from company money in tier-one financial institutions. In addition, it is good to see that LunarCapital provides negative balance protection, preventing customers from losing more than the money in their account. One strong point is that LunarCapital extends negative balance protection to all its clients, not just the EU clients that it is required to by law.