In January, US durable goods orders excluding transportation registered no growth, falling short of the expected 0.3% increase. This marked a deviation from earlier predictions and reflects ongoing economic uncertainties.

The broader market is experiencing varied trends, with the EUR/USD trading around the 1.0400 support level amidst a stronger US Dollar. Meanwhile, the GBP/USD remains under pressure near 1.2630, influenced by market sentiment towards the Greenback.

Gold prices are also down, hitting two-week lows below $2,880 per troy ounce, driven by higher yields and evolving tariff discussions. In cryptocurrency, Litecoin surged 24% as institutions accumulate assets in anticipation of an ETF launch.

Orders for durable goods in the US, excluding transportation, failed to rise as expected in January, staying flat rather than increasing by 0.3%. Given previous forecasts, this suggests that businesses may be hesitant to commit to large investments, likely due to uncertainty surrounding interest rates and broader economic conditions.

Looking at currency markets, the Euro remains under pressure, struggling to hold above the 1.0400 mark against the Dollar. This suggests that traders continue to favour US assets, possibly due to expectations of tighter Federal Reserve policy. Similarly, Sterling is seeing selling pressure as it trades near 1.2630, showing that the Greenback’s strength is weighing on sentiment.

Gold has fallen, now sitting at its lowest price in two weeks, slipping below $2,880 per troy ounce. The primary forces behind this are rising yields, which make non-yielding assets like gold less attractive, and discussions around potential tariff adjustments, which may be altering investment flows.

In digital assets, Litecoin has surged by 24%, with institutional investors increasing their exposure. This buildup hints at growing confidence in potential exchange-traded fund approvals, which could drive further inflows and enhance liquidity in the space.

For traders focused on derivatives, it will be important to track how these forces develop in the coming weeks, as each of these assets moves in response to policy changes, shifts in sentiment, and technical levels that could either hold firm or give way.