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Biodegradable dishes could transfer gluten to foods, posing health risk to gluten-sensitive individuals

Some biodegradable tableware is made with wheat straw or bran, ingredients that may contain gluten. Researchers have tested commercially available biodegradable items, reporting the initial results in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.

One plate contained gluten and transferred the allergen into some foods and drinks at levels above gluten-free thresholds. The researchers say that because these products don’t require allergen labels, they could pose a health risk for people who need to avoid gluten.

Biodegradable tableware generally incorporates natural ingredients: fibers from bamboo; sugars from algae; and proteins from milk, eggs, soybeans or wheat. The transfer of allergens from these disposable dishes, cups and straws to foods and drinks isn’t well understood. If a trace of gluten is eaten by someone who has celiac disease or a gluten sensitivity, it could trigger immune reactions, digestive distress or other adverse health outcomes.

Researchers Ángela Ruiz-Carnicer, Isabel Comino and colleagues assessed several biodegradable items for the presence of gluten and whether the allergenic protein transferred to solid and liquid foods under realistic conditions.

The researchers first tested eight separate items, including dishes, cups and straws, that were labeled as biodegradable and made with wheat by-products or other potential gluten-containing materials. Only one of the items—a wheat-containing plate—had detectable gluten.

In 30-minute experiments, gluten-free foods were placed on the different tableware items at room temperature. The foods’ gluten contents were measured and compared against the gluten-free (less than 20 ppm) and low-gluten (less than 100 ppm) regulatory thresholds set by the European Union and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Only the gluten-containing plate passed protein into omelet, rice, milk and vegetable cream samples. Significantly less gluten transferred into the solid foods than into the liquids:

  • Rice: up to 17 ppm, below the gluten-free threshold.
  • Omelet: up to 30 ppm, below the low-gluten threshold.
  • Milk: up to 240 ppm, over the low-gluten threshold.
  • Vegetable cream: up to 2,100 ppm, over the low-gluten threshold.

In some cases, microwaving foods in the dish reduced gluten contamination compared to room temperature samples, and the researchers hypothesize it is because heat denatures the protein and disrupts its transfer into foods.

The researchers urge mandatory gluten labeling for materials that contact food. They say that further work is needed to check whether biodegradable tableware can cross-contaminate food with other allergens (e.g., milk, soy and nut proteins). In the meantime, the team encourages consumers to check the components of their biodegradable tableware to prevent unexpected gluten exposure.

News Team by — December 17, 2025 By News Team in Market Watch
Not everyone reads the room the same: Some brains perform a complicated assessment—while others take a shortcut

Are you a social savant who easily reads people’s emotions? Or are you someone who leaves an interaction with an unclear understanding of another person’s emotional state?

New UC Berkeley research suggests that those differences stem from a fundamental way our brains compute facial and contextual details, potentially explaining why some people are better at reading the room than others—sometimes, much better.

How the brain weighs emotional cues

Human brains use information from faces and background context, such as the location or expressions of bystanders, when making sense of a scene and assessing someone’s emotional state. If someone’s facial expression is clear, but the emotional information in the context is unclear, most people’s brains will heavily weigh the clear facial expression and minimize the importance of the background context.

Conversely, if a facial expression is ambiguous but the background context provides strong cues of how a person feels, they’ll rely more on the context to understand the person’s emotions.

Think of it like a close-up photo of a person crying. Without background context, you might assume they’re sad. But with context—a wedding altar, perhaps—the meaning shifts significantly.

It adds up to a complex statistical assessment that weighs different cues based on their ambiguity.

Research findings on emotional integration

But while most people are naturally able to make those judgment calls, Berkeley psychologists say that others seemingly treat every piece of information equally. This discrepancy between complex calculus and simple averages might explain our vast differences in understanding emotions, said Jefferson Ortega, lead author of the study published in Nature Communications.

“We don’t know exactly why these differences occur,” said Ortega, a psychology Ph.D. student. “But the idea is that some people might use this more simplistic integration strategy because it’s less cognitively demanding, or it could also be due to underlying cognitive deficits.”

Ortega’s team had 944 participants continuously infer the mood of a person in a series of videos. He likened it to a video call: Some of the clips contained hazy backgrounds—like blurring your background in a Zoom meeting. Others had hazy faces and clear context. This allowed his team to isolate the emotional information people get from a person’s face and body and the information they get from the context.

Using the participant’s scene assessments from those two conditions, Ortega used a model to predict what rating they would provide when they viewed all of the scene details—what he called the “ground truth.”

He wanted to know if people really weighed different inputs differently, valuing facial expressions more when backgrounds were blurred or backgrounds when the faces were fuzzy. This process, called Bayesian integration, is a statistical way of understanding whether people combine different types of information based on its ambiguity.

He expected everyone would weigh the ambiguities, decide which field to rely more on, and make an assessment. That was true in about 70% of cases.

However, instead of assessing the context ambiguity, the remaining 30% of participants had more simplistic strategies that basically averaged the two cues.

“It was very surprising,” Ortega said, adding that it’s less cognitively demanding to take simple averages than to weigh different factors more or less heavily almost instantly. “The computational mechanisms—the algorithm that the brain uses to do that—is not well understood. That’s where the motivation came for this paper. It’s just an amazing feat.”

Implications for understanding emotion processing

Ortega worked with David Whitney, a Berkeley professor of psychology whose lab focuses on how people use context to make inferences about others’ emotions. The lab had previously found that when a character is blurred out from a scene, people could still use context to infer the person’s emotions.

“Some observers are very good at integrating context and facial expressions to understand emotions,” Whitney said of the strong individual differences shown in Ortega’s research. “And some folks are not so good at it.”

The work adds to Ortega’s recent research on people with traits associated with autism who seem to be less able to weigh and combine details from faces and backgrounds. That raises the question, Ortega said, about what integration strategy they’re using, potentially offering a clearer window into their information-processing systems.

“This work sets the foundation for investigating that in the future,” Ortega said.

News Team by — December 17, 2025 By News Team in Market Watch
One of the world’s oldest blood pressure drugs may also halt aggressive brain tumor growth

A Penn-led team has revealed how hydralazine, one of the world’s oldest blood pressure drugs and a mainstay treatment for preeclampsia, works at the molecular level. In doing so, they made a surprising discovery—it can also halt the growth of aggressive brain tumors.

Over the last 70 years, hydralazine has been an indispensable tool in medicine—a front-line defense against life-threatening high blood pressure, especially during pregnancy. But despite its essential role, a fundamental mystery has persisted: No one knows its “mechanism of action”—essentially how it works at a molecular level, which allows for improved efficacy, safety, and what it can treat.

“Hydralazine is one of the earliest vasodilators ever developed, and it’s still a first-line treatment for preeclampsia—a hypertensive disorder that accounts for 5%–15% of maternal deaths worldwide,” says Kyosuke Shishikura, a physician-scientist at the University of Pennsylvania. “It came from a ‘pre-target’ era of drug discovery, when researchers relied on what they saw in patients first and only later tried to explain the biology behind it.”

Now Shishikura, his postdoctoral adviser at Penn Megan Matthews, and collaborators have solved this long-standing puzzle.

In their paper published in Science Advances, the team uncovered the method of action of hydralazine, and in doing so, revealed an unexpected biological link between hypertensive disorders and brain cancer. The findings highlight how long-established treatments can reveal new therapeutic potential and could help in the design of safer, more effective drugs for both maternal health and brain cancer.

“Preeclampsia has affected generations of women in my own family and continues to disproportionately impact Black mothers in the United States,” Matthews says. “Understanding how hydralazine works at the molecular level offers a path toward safer, more selective treatments for pregnancy-related hypertension—potentially improving outcomes for patients who are at greatest risk.”

Hydralazine blocks an oxygen-sensing enzyme

The team found that hydralazine blocks an oxygen-sensing enzyme called 2-aminoethanethiol dioxygenase (ADO)—a molecular switch that tells blood vessels when to tighten.

“ADO is like an alarm bell that rings the moment oxygen starts to fall,” Matthews says. “Most systems in the body take time; they have to copy DNA, make RNA, and build new proteins. ADO skips all that. It flips a biochemical switch in seconds.”

Hydralazine acts by binding to and blocking ADO, which means it effectively “mutes” that oxygen alarm. Once the enzyme was silenced, the signaling proteins it normally degrades—called regulators of G-protein signaling (RGS)—remained stable.

The buildup of RGS proteins, says Shishikura, tells the blood vessels to stop constricting, effectively overriding the “squeeze” signal. This reduces intracellular calcium levels, which he calls the “master regulator of vascular tension.” As calcium levels fall, the smooth muscles in blood vessel walls relax, causing vasodilation and a drop in blood pressure.

From preeclampsia to brain cancer: A common target

Prior to this study, cancer researchers and clinicians had begun to suspect that ADO was important in glioblastoma, where tumors often have to survive in pockets of very low oxygen, Shishikura explains. Elevated levels of ADO and its metabolic products had been linked with more aggressive disease, suggesting that shutting this enzyme down could be a powerful strategy, but no one had a good inhibitor to test that idea.

To see if hydralazine was a contender, Shishikura worked closely with structural biochemists at the University of Texas, who used X-ray crystallography, a high-resolution imaging technique, to visualize hydralazine bound to ADO’s metal center, and with neuroscientists at the University of Florida, who tested the drug’s effects in brain cancer cells.

They found that the ADO pathway that regulates vascular contraction also helps tumor cells survive in low-oxygen environments. Unlike chemotherapy, which aims to kill all cells outright, hydralazine disrupted that oxygen-sensing loop, triggering cellular “senescence,” or a dormant, non-dividing state in glioblastoma cells, effectively pausing growth without triggering further inflammation or resistance.

Unlocking the potential for other lifesaving treatments

The researchers say the next step is to push the chemistry further by building new ADO inhibitors that are more tissue specific and better at crossing, or exploiting weak points in, the blood-brain barrier so they hit tumor tissue hard while sparing the rest of the body.

Matthews is also working to continue engineering the next generation of medical solutions by revealing the mechanics of clinically tested, long-known treatments.

“It’s rare that an old cardiovascular drug ends up teaching us something new about the brain,” Matthews says, “but that’s exactly what we’re hoping to find more of—unusual links that could spell new solutions.”

News Team by — November 17, 2025 By News Team in Market Watch
From body fat to bone, experiment offers hope for ‘gentle’ repair of fractures

Japanese researchers are testing a surprising, minimally invasive way to repair spine fractures.

A team at Osaka Metropolitan University found that stem cells from fat tissue can repair breaks similar to those common in people with the bone-weakening disease osteoporosis.

“This simple and effective method can treat even difficult fractures and may accelerate healing,” said study co-leader Dr. Shinji Takahashi, an orthopedic surgeon and clinical lecturer at the university.

“This technique is expected to become a new treatment that helps extend the healthy life of patients,” Takahashi added in a news release.

The new method has only been tested in mice so far, and results may differ in people, but researchers said the approach could offer a minimally invasive way to treat bone diseases.

Researchers noted that these cells are easy to collect, even from elderly people, with little strain on the body, making the technique a gentle way to treat bone disease.

They tested the method in rats with spinal injuries similar to the fractures seen in people with osteoporosis.

Stem cells can develop into various types of tissue, including bone.

Researchers coaxed stem cells from fat tissue to develop into structures called spheroids, 3D cell clusters that mimic various types of tissue, including bone. They then paired those clusters with a bone-rebuilding material called beta-tricalcium phosphate.

The result: Lab mice regained healthier and stronger backbones.

What’s more, genes responsible for bone formation and regeneration revved up. They became more active after treatment, suggesting that the approaching stimulates natural healing processes.

“This study has revealed the potential of bone differentiation spheroids using ADSCs for the development of new treatment of spinal fractures,” study leader Dr. Yuta Sawada, an orthopedic surgeon and graduate medical student, said in a news release. “Since the cells are obtained from fat, there is little burden on the body, ensuring patient safety.”

An estimated 20 million Americans suffer from osteoporosis, many of them older women affected by hormonal changes accompanying menopause, according to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA).

Compression fractures of the spine resulting from the condition can lead to long-term disability and severely limit quality of life.

The findings were recently published in the journal Bone & Joint Research.

News Team by — November 17, 2025 By News Team in Market Watch
Weekly Market Review – September 20, 2025

Stock Markets

Equity markets continued their positive momentum this week, with major indices posting solid gains following the Federal Reserve’s first rate cut of 2025. The main stock market index of United States, the US500, rose to 6664 points on September 19, 2025, gaining 0.49% from the previous session. Over the past month, the index has climbed 4.20% and is up 16.87% compared to the same time last year. The three major indexes were coming off a winning session Monday that sent the S&P 500 and Nasdaq to records, with the tech-heavy Nasdaq gained 0.2% and had hit a new high of 22,090.25.

Small-cap stocks emerged as a standout performer, with the Russell 2000 Index of small caps (RUT—candlesticks) closed at an all-time record high above 2,460 yesterday, the first time in nearly four years it’s made an all-time closing high. This surge in small-caps reflects growing investor confidence in domestic-focused companies that stand to benefit from potential policy changes and lower interest rates.

The Morningstar US Market Index gained 1.48%. The best-performing sectors were technology, up 2.76%, and utilities, up 2.22%. The worst-performing sectors were consumer defensive, down 0.4%, and industrials, up 0.04%. The technology sector’s outperformance continues to drive market gains, while defensive sectors lagged as investors rotated into growth-oriented assets.

Value stocks have shown particular strength recently, with the value category remains at a 3% discount to fair value, whereas growth stocks remain at an 8% premium and core stocks are close to fair value. Small-cap stocks remain the most attractive part of the market at a 15% discount, whereas large and mid-cap are fairly valued.

U.S. Economy

The Federal Reserve delivered its anticipated first rate cut of 2025 this week, marking a significant shift in monetary policy. Rate cuts are back, with the Fed delivering its first 25 basis point (0.25%) move in 2025 as it responds to signs of a concerning slowdown in the U.S. labor market. In September 2025, it implemented its first 2025 rate cut, projecting two additional rate cuts this year.

Labor market conditions remain a key focus for policymakers, with unemployment Rate in the United States increased to 4.30 percent in August from 4.20 percent in July of 2025. This uptick in unemployment has contributed to the Fed’s more accommodative stance as they seek to support economic growth while managing inflation expectations.

The central bank’s decision reflects meeting participants submitted their projections of the most likely outcomes for real gross domestic product (GDP) growth, the unemployment rate, and inflation for each year from 2025 to 2028, indicating a data-dependent approach to future policy decisions.

Metals and Mining

The precious metals market has experienced significant momentum, particularly in gold, which continues to reach new heights. Gold rose to 3,682.50 USD/t.oz on September 19, 2025, up 1.06% from the previous day. Over the past month, Gold’s price has risen 10.09%, and is up 40.47% compared to the same time last year.

This remarkable performance in gold reflects multiple factors including geopolitical tensions, central bank monetary policy shifts, and continued safe-haven demand. Gold prices—a barometer of safe-haven demand—reached an all-time nominal high in mid-October, fueled by heightened geopolitical tensions, sustained central bank purchases.

Base metals face a more challenging outlook as following a projected 4 percent increase in 2024, base metal prices are anticipated to stabilize in 2025 and decline by 3 percent in 2026 as industrial activity grows at a moderate pace in major economies, including China.

Energy and Oil

Energy markets showed mixed performance this week, with crude oil facing downward pressure. Crude Oil fell to 62.72 USD/Bbl on September 19, 2025, down 1.34% from the previous day. Over the past month, Crude Oil’s price has risen 0.02%, but it is still 11.66% lower than a year ago.

The energy sector has been impacted by broader economic concerns and supply-demand dynamics. The energy price index fell by 3.9% in August, driven by an 8.8% drop in U.S. natural gas and a 3.6% decline in crude oil prices.

Despite short-term volatility, energy markets continue to be influenced by geopolitical factors and global economic growth prospects, with geopolitical tensions remain a significant upside risk in commodity markets. The possibility of escalating conflicts in the Middle East represents a substantial near-term risk to several commodities.

Natural Gas

Natural gas markets have shown volatility amid changing supply and demand dynamics. The sector faces headwinds from increased production capacity and moderate demand growth, though geopolitical factors continue to provide support for prices.

Weather patterns and seasonal demand shifts remain key drivers for natural gas pricing, with storage levels and production capacity utilization closely monitored by market participants.

World Markets

International equity markets have shown resilience, with several regions posting gains alongside U.S. markets. Chinese markets have been particularly noteworthy, with the MSCI China Index’s near-30% YTD gain overshadowing flat performance in India. India hasn’t underperformed the broader MSCI EM Index by this degree in decades.

European markets have generally trended higher as investors anticipate continued monetary accommodation from the European Central Bank. The coordinated global shift toward easier monetary policy has provided support for risk assets across developed markets.

Emerging markets have experienced mixed performance, with commodity-producing nations benefiting from selective strength in precious metals while those dependent on industrial commodities face headwinds.

The Week Ahead

Key economic releases and events to monitor in the coming week include:

Key Topics to Watch:

• Federal Reserve officials’ commentary on monetary policy outlook

• Weekly jobless claims data

• Consumer confidence indicators

• Manufacturing and services PMI flash readings

• Corporate earnings reports from key technology companies

• Geopolitical developments affecting commodity markets

• Central bank communications from major economies

Market participants will be particularly focused on any guidance regarding the pace of future rate cuts and economic data that could influence the Federal Reserve’s policy trajectory. The interaction between monetary policy, inflation expectations, and labor market conditions will remain critical factors driving market sentiment.

Investment Implications:

The current market environment suggests continued opportunities in value-oriented investments, particularly in small-cap stocks trading at attractive discounts. The precious metals rally, led by gold’s exceptional performance, indicates ongoing demand for inflation hedges and safe-haven assets. Energy markets face near-term challenges but may offer opportunities for longer-term investors willing to navigate volatility.

As we progress through the final quarter of 2025, investors should remain attentive to the evolving economic landscape, particularly the effectiveness of monetary policy accommodation in supporting growth while managing inflation expectations.

News Staff by — September 20, 2025 By News Staff in Market Watch
Weekly Market Review – September 13, 2025

Stock Markets

The major stock indexes delivered a mixed performance this week, with record-breaking highs amid uncertainty about Federal Reserve policy. The Dow Jones Industrial Average finished up 617.08 points, or 1.36%, at 46,108.00, while the S&P 500 ended up 0.85% at 6,587.47. The Nasdaq Composite advanced 0.72% to 22,043.07. All three major averages scored new intraday all-time highs in the trading day and closed at record levels.

However, the week ended on a more cautious note. The tech-heavy Nasdaq closed 0.44% higher to settle at 22,141.10, led by a surge in Tesla shares. The broad market S&P 500 hovered around the flatline, down just 0.05% to finish at 6,584.29. The blue-chip Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 273.78 points, or 0.59%, to close at 45,834.22. The main stock market index of United States, the US500, fell to 6584 points on September 12, 2025, losing 0.05% from the previous session. Over the past month, the index has climbed 1.82% and is up 17.03% compared to the same time last year.

Market breadth showed improvement throughout the week. Stocks rolled up more record highs Thursday with broad participation across most sectors, unlike the narrower rallies earlier this week. The percentage of S&P 500 stocks above their 50-day moving average topped 63% yesterday, but even that’s relatively low breadth considering index strength.

U.S. Economy

The week’s economic data presented a mixed picture, with inflation concerns and labor market weakness creating uncertainty ahead of the Federal Reserve’s policy meeting. Consumer prices rose at annual rate of 2.9% in August, showing a slight acceleration in inflationary pressures.

On the employment front, jobless claims data painted a concerning picture. Initial Jobless Claims in the United States increased to 263 thousand in the week ending September 6 of 2025 from 236 thousand in the previous week. More significantly, weekly jobless claims also jumped by a seasonally adjusted 263,000, higher than the 235,000 estimate and up 27,000 from the prior period, according to the Labor Department. The number also marked the highest level since October 2021.

The combination of persistent inflation and weakening labor market conditions has created a complex environment for monetary policy. The US economy is sending mixed signals as inflation accelerates while labor market data shows signs of cooling. These trends complicate the Federal Reserve’s upcoming interest rate decision, with markets eagerly awaiting the central bank’s next move.

Metals and Mining

The precious metals market continues to reflect economic uncertainty and geopolitical tensions. Gold has maintained its position as a safe-haven asset amid market volatility, though specific pricing data for the week remains mixed across various trading platforms.

Silver prices have shown resilience, benefiting from both industrial demand and investment flows during periods of market stress. The precious metals complex continues to serve as a hedge against inflation concerns and currency debasement risks.

Industrial metals have faced headwinds from global economic uncertainty and mixed manufacturing data. Copper prices have been particularly sensitive to economic growth concerns, while aluminum and zinc have shown varied performance based on supply-demand dynamics in their respective markets.

The outlook for metals remains tied to broader economic conditions, with gold likely to benefit from continued uncertainty while industrial metals await clearer signals on global economic recovery.

Energy and Oil

The energy sector experienced significant volatility this week, reflecting broader commodity market dynamics and geopolitical considerations. The energy price index fell by 3.9% in August, driven by an 8.8% drop in U.S. natural gas and a 3.6% decline in crude oil prices.

Oil markets have been influenced by a combination of supply concerns, demand expectations, and economic growth projections. The recent decline in crude prices reflects concerns about global economic slowdown and its impact on energy consumption.

Natural gas markets showed particular weakness, with U.S. natural gas prices declining significantly. This decline has been attributed to increased production capacity, mild weather patterns, and reduced industrial demand in key consuming sectors.

The energy sector’s performance continues to be closely watched as a barometer of both economic health and geopolitical stability, with traders monitoring developments in major producing regions and policy changes affecting energy transition investments.

World Markets

European equity markets showed resilience this week, supported by expectations for continued monetary accommodation and stabilizing economic indicators. The pan-European indices benefited from sector rotation into value stocks and reduced concerns about immediate recession risks.

Asian markets presented a mixed picture, with Chinese equities facing continued headwinds from property sector concerns and broader economic growth questions. Japanese markets were influenced by speculation about Bank of Japan policy changes and currency movements affecting export-oriented companies.

Emerging markets showed varied performance, with commodity-dependent economies facing challenges from falling resource prices while technology-focused markets benefited from continued global demand for digital services and infrastructure.

The global economic environment remains characterized by divergent monetary policies, with central banks navigating between inflation control and growth support objectives.

The Week Ahead

The coming week promises significant market-moving events, with the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy decision taking center stage. Key economic releases will provide additional insight into the health of the U.S. economy and inflation trends.

Key Topics to Watch

• Federal Reserve interest rate decision and policy statement

• Weekly initial jobless claims data

• Existing home sales figures

• Manufacturing and services PMI data

• Consumer sentiment readings

• Corporate earnings reports from major companies

• International trade and economic indicators

Market participants will be particularly focused on Federal Reserve communication regarding future policy direction, given the mixed signals from recent economic data. The central bank’s assessment of inflation progress and labor market conditions will be crucial for setting market expectations for the remainder of 2025.

Additionally, ongoing geopolitical developments and their potential impact on global supply chains and commodity markets will remain in focus, as investors continue to balance growth optimism against persistent economic uncertainties.

News Staff by — September 13, 2025 By News Staff in Market Watch
Weekly Market Review – August 30, 2025

Stock Markets

Major stock indexes showed mixed performance this week, with investors exhibiting cautious optimism following Federal Reserve Chair Powell’s dovish signals at the Jackson Hole Symposium. The S&P 500 (SPX) is on track to for a + 0.30% weekly gain on the heels of a big Friday rally, following Chair Powell’s speech and the Jackson Hole Symposium. The broad market index rose 0.2% just after the opening bell, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq gained 0.4%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average traded below the flatline.

Market breadth showed encouraging signs as the broadening of the rally, outside of the Magnificent 7 stocks, signals there may be more sustainable momentum building. Stocks ended Thursday in the green, with the S&P 500® index closing above 6,500 for the first time. This milestone reflects continued investor confidence despite ongoing economic uncertainties.

Technology stocks faced headwinds during the week, with Nvidia — The graphics processing unit manufacturer slipped nearly 2% after its data center revenue came in below estimates, highlighting concerns about AI infrastructure spending sustainability.

U.S. Economy

The economic landscape presented a mixed picture this week, with employment data showing resilience while growth concerns persist. The unemployment rate, at 4.2 percent, also changed little in July, maintaining historically low levels that continue to support consumer spending.

Monthly readings of payroll job creation were consistently stronger in the second quarter, and the unemployment rate has remained historically low at just over 4 percent. As of June, a total of 671,000 payroll jobs have been created during the first five months of this Administration.

However, longer-term economic projections suggest moderation ahead. We expect real GDP growth to slow to just 0.8% year over year (y/y) by Q4 2025. The passage of the “One Big Beautiful Bill” removes one major source of policy uncertainty by extending key expiring provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), thereby averting a fiscal cliff worth 1% of GDP.

Federal Reserve policy expectations have shifted toward accommodation, with Investors are exiting August with greater confidence the Federal Reserve will lower interest rates next month.

Metals and Mining

Precious metals continued their strong performance this week, with gold maintaining its bullish trajectory. Gold prices slowly moving upward and might reach the top of $3,250 – $3,450 range in few days – week. We still expect the price to continue the bullish trend and print new record high.

Silver showed particularly strong gains, with Silver rose to 39.74 USD/t.oz on August 29, 2025, up 1.69% from the previous day. Over the past month, Silver’s price has risen 7.03%, and is up 37.72% compared to the same time last year, reflecting robust investor demand for precious metals amid currency and geopolitical concerns.

The precious metals rally has been supported by multiple factors including The weakening dollar, Trump’s sudden move against Lisa Cook, and upcoming trade tariffs all pushed investors towards safe-haven assets. Political tensions regarding Federal Reserve independence have added another layer of uncertainty driving safe-haven demand.

Gold continues to benefit from its position as a hedge against monetary policy uncertainty and geopolitical risks, maintaining its role as a portfolio diversifier during periods of market volatility.

Energy and Oil

Energy markets remained relatively stable this week, though geopolitical tensions continue to influence price dynamics. Oil prices have been supported by supply concerns and seasonal demand patterns, though specific weekly price movements were limited by broader economic growth concerns.

Natural gas markets showed mixed signals, with regional pricing variations continuing to reflect transportation bottlenecks and local supply-demand imbalances. The upcoming winter heating season preparations are beginning to influence forward curve pricing.

World Markets

European markets demonstrated resilience this week, supported by expectations of continued central bank accommodation and stabilizing economic indicators. Investors remained focused on the European Central Bank’s policy trajectory and its implications for regional growth prospects.

Asian markets showed divergent performance, with Japan facing headwinds from currency strength concerns while Chinese markets benefited from ongoing stimulus measures and improved economic data. The strength of the yen continued to weigh on Japanese export-oriented companies, creating challenges for the Nikkei’s performance.

Emerging markets generally outperformed developed markets as investors sought higher yields and growth prospects amid expectations of global monetary policy easing.

The Week Ahead

The coming week features several critical economic releases that could shape market direction and Federal Reserve policy expectations:

Key Topics to Watch:

• August employment report (September 6)

• Initial jobless claims

• ISM Manufacturing PMI for August

• Consumer sentiment surveys

• Federal Reserve officials’ speeches ahead of blackout period

• Earnings from major technology companies

• Global manufacturing PMI data

• Central bank policy meetings in key economies

Investors will be particularly focused on labor market data as it directly influences Federal Reserve policy decisions for the September meeting. Any signs of continued labor market resilience could complicate expectations for aggressive rate cuts, while weakness might accelerate dovish policy adjustments.

The intersection of domestic economic data, geopolitical developments, and monetary policy expectations will continue to drive market volatility and sector rotation patterns in the week ahead.

News Staff by — August 30, 2025 By News Staff in Market Watch
Weekly Market Review – August 16, 2025

Stock Markets

Major U.S. stock indexes posted mixed results this week, with markets showing resilience despite ongoing economic uncertainties. The S&P 500 slipped on Friday after hitting a record high, as investors took some gains off the table after a strong week. Despite Friday’s pullback, the index managed to secure its second consecutive weekly gain.

The main stock market index of United States, the US500, fell to 6465 points on August 15, 2025, losing 0.05% from the previous session. Over the past month, the index has climbed 3.22% and is up 16.40% compared to the same time last year. The technology-heavy Nasdaq has been particularly strong, with stocks higher Friday, leading the three major averages to post winning weeks.

Market volatility remained relatively contained as expectations for lower interest rates continue driving the major indexes to all-time highs. The investor risk appetite showed signs of stabilization following the turbulent periods seen earlier in the month.

Value stocks continued to show relative strength compared to growth names, particularly in sectors benefiting from potential policy shifts and interest rate expectations. Financial sector performance remained solid, supported by expectations of a favorable interest rate environment.

U.S. Economy

This week’s economic landscape was shaped by key inflation and employment data releases. Inflation Rate in the United States remained unchanged at 2.70 percent in July. The stability in inflation readings provided some comfort to markets that had been concerned about persistent price pressures.

Core inflation metrics showed continued moderation, with Core CPI (ex. Food and Energy) at 0.2% monthly and 3.2% annually, indicating that underlying price pressures remain elevated but are showing signs of stabilization.

On the employment front, Unemployment Rate in the United States increased to 4.20 percent in July from 4.10 percent in June of 2025. This modest uptick in unemployment reflects a cooling labor market that continues to normalize from historically tight conditions.

The combination of stable inflation and a slightly softening labor market has reinforced expectations that the Federal Reserve may have more flexibility in its monetary policy approach in the coming months.

Metals and Mining

Precious metals markets showed mixed performance this week, with gold facing some consolidation pressure after recent gains. Gold fell to 3,335.60 USD/t.oz on August 15, 2025, down 0.00% from the previous day. Over the past month, Gold’s price has fallen 0.34%, but it is still 33.01% higher than a year ago.

The gold market has been experiencing sideways trading patterns, with gold prices mostly sideways. No bearish continuation toward the green box area and no strong recovery following recent volatility. Technical analysts note that gold remains in a consolidation phase after significant year-to-date gains.

Silver and other precious metals have faced similar headwinds, with industrial metals showing more sensitivity to economic growth concerns and global trade dynamics.

The strength of the U.S. dollar continues to provide headwinds for precious metals, though geopolitical uncertainties and central bank policies remain supportive factors for the sector. Gold maintains its appeal as a portfolio diversifier, offering low correlation to risk assets, no third-party or geopolitical risks, relatively low volatility, and a deep and liquid market in an environment of ongoing economic uncertainty.

Energy and Oil

Energy markets have been influenced by a combination of supply dynamics and demand concerns. Crude oil prices last year were dragged down by weak Chinese demand and a supply glut — market watchers expect prices to remain pressured in 2025.

Oil price movements this week reflected ongoing concerns about global economic growth and energy demand, particularly from major consuming nations. Geopolitical factors continue to provide support, though the overall trend remains influenced by fundamental supply-demand dynamics.

Natural gas markets have shown some volatility, with regional price differences reflecting infrastructure constraints and seasonal demand patterns. The transition to cleaner energy sources continues to influence long-term market dynamics, while short-term pricing remains sensitive to weather patterns and storage levels.

World Markets

European equity markets showed resilience this week, with major indexes benefiting from expectations of continued monetary accommodation by the European Central Bank. Investor sentiment improved on hopes that inflation pressures are moderating, potentially allowing for more aggressive rate cuts.

Japanese markets faced headwinds from currency movements and speculation about Bank of Japan policy adjustments. The yen’s strength against the dollar continued to weigh on export-oriented companies, while domestic policy expectations remained a key focus for investors.

Chinese markets showed signs of stabilization, with government stimulus measures and economic support policies providing some foundation for equity performance. However, ongoing concerns about property sector challenges and global trade dynamics continue to influence investor sentiment.

The Week Ahead

The coming week will feature several important economic releases that could influence market direction:

Key Topics to Watch:

• Federal Reserve meeting minutes from the latest policy session

• Regional Federal Reserve manufacturing surveys

• Initial jobless claims data

• Consumer confidence indicators

• Flash PMI readings for manufacturing and services sectors

• Housing market data including existing and new home sales

• Energy inventory reports

• Key earnings releases from major corporations

Market participants will be particularly focused on any signals from Federal Reserve communications regarding the future path of monetary policy, given the current economic backdrop of moderating inflation and a cooling labor market. Additionally, ongoing geopolitical developments and global trade dynamics will remain key factors influencing market sentiment across all asset classes.

News Staff by — August 16, 2025 By News Staff in Market Watch
Weekly Market Review – August 9, 2025

Stock Markets

Major stock indexes experienced a mixed week with notable volatility across sectors. The S&P 500 slipped 1.6% to close 6,238.01, while the Nasdaq Composite pulled back 2.24% 20,650.13. However, markets showed resilience later in the week, with the US500 rose to 6389 points on August 8, 2025, gaining 0.78% from the previous session. The S&P 500 gained 0.73% to close at 6,345.06, while the Nasdaq Composite advanced 1.21% and settled at 21,169.42. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 81.38 points, or 0.18%, ending at 44,193.12.

The week was characterized by strong earnings results from key technology companies, particularly Apple, which climbed 5% after a White House official confirmed to CNBC that the iPhone maker is going to benefit from new policy developments. Despite earlier volatility, the rebound in risk appetite drove the S&P 500 up 1.5%, its biggest rally since May. Almost every major group in the US equity benchmark advanced, and about 85% of its companies closed higher.

Looking at year-over-year performance, the index has climbed 2.01% and is up 19.56% compared to the same time last year, demonstrating the market’s underlying strength despite short-term fluctuations.

U.S. Economy

The week’s economic data presented a mixed picture for the U.S. economy. Initial Jobless Claims in the United States increased to 226 thousand in the week ending August 2 of 2025 from 219 thousand in the previous week, indicating a modest uptick in unemployment applications. Additionally, Continuing Jobless Claims in the United States increased to 1974 thousand in the week ending July 26 of 2025 from 1936 thousand in the previous week, suggesting some persistence in unemployment levels.

On the inflation front, Inflation Rate in the United States increased to 2.70 percent in June from 2.40 percent in May of 2025, showing upward pressure on consumer prices and potentially complicating Federal Reserve policy decisions.

The labor market data suggests some cooling from previous strength, with jobless claims rising though remaining at historically reasonable levels. The uptick in both initial and continuing claims bears watching as an indicator of broader economic momentum.

Metals and Mining

Precious metals showed strong performance this week, particularly silver, which demonstrated exceptional gains. Silver rose to 38.38 USD/t.oz on August 8, 2025, up 0.27% from the previous day. Over the past month, Silver’s price has risen 5.51%, and is up 39.83% compared to the same time last year, making it one of the standout performers in the commodities sector.

Gold continued to maintain its position as a preferred safe-haven asset despite market volatility. The precious metals complex has benefited from ongoing geopolitical uncertainties and concerns about monetary policy, with investors seeking assets that traditionally perform well during periods of economic uncertainty.

The strong performance in precious metals, particularly silver’s nearly 40% year-over-year gain, reflects both industrial demand and investment interest. Silver’s dual role as both an industrial metal and a store of value has contributed to its outperformance relative to other precious metals.

Energy and Oil

The energy sector faced headwinds this week, with oil prices declining significantly. Crude Oil fell to 63.35 USD/Bbl on August 8, 2025, down 0.83% from the previous day. Over the past month, Crude Oil’s price has fallen 7.36%, and is down 17.56% compared to the same time last year.

The weakness in oil prices reflects multiple factors including concerns about global economic growth, potential increases in supply, and demand uncertainties. The significant year-over-year decline of nearly 18% indicates sustained pressure on energy markets, which contrasts sharply with the strength seen in precious metals.

Natural gas markets remained active, though specific weekly data was limited in available reports. The broader energy complex continues to navigate between supply dynamics and demand concerns amid changing global economic conditions.

World Markets

European equity markets showed generally positive momentum during the week, supported by earnings results and monetary policy expectations. Market participants continued to monitor central bank policies across major economies, with particular attention to potential rate changes and their impact on global equity valuations.

Asian markets displayed mixed performance, with investors weighing regional economic data against global market trends. The interconnected nature of global markets meant that developments in U.S. markets had significant influence on trading patterns across international exchanges.

Emerging markets faced headwinds from dollar strength and commodity price movements, particularly in energy-dependent economies. The divergence between precious metals and energy commodities created different impacts across various international markets.

The Week Ahead

Key economic releases scheduled for the coming week include:

Key Topics to Watch:

• U.S. Consumer Price Index for July

• Initial jobless claims for August 15

• Producer Price Index data

• Retail sales figures for July

• Industrial production numbers

• Federal Reserve meeting minutes

• Consumer sentiment preliminary reading for August

Market participants will be particularly focused on inflation data to gauge the Federal Reserve’s next policy moves, while earnings season continues with additional major companies reporting results. The interaction between economic data, corporate earnings, and monetary policy expectations will likely drive market direction in the coming week.

Commodity markets will continue to reflect the balance between economic growth concerns and supply-demand dynamics, with particular attention on energy prices and their potential impact on inflation readings.

News Staff by — August 09, 2025 By News Staff in Market Watch
Weekly Market Review – August 2, 2025

Stock Markets

Major stock indexes faced significant pressure this week, reversing earlier gains as investors reassessed market valuations amid mixed earnings reports and economic uncertainty. The S&P 500 slipped 1.6% to close 6,238.01, while the Nasdaq Composite pulled back 2.24% 20,650.13. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 542.40 points, or 1.23%, to finish the session 43,588.58.

The weekly decline marked a notable shift from the previous weeks’ momentum, with technology stocks leading the retreat. Tesla has tumbled more than 22% in 2025, making Tesla the worst performer within megacap tech this year following disappointing earnings results. The broader market selloff was driven by profit-taking in high-flying tech names and concerns about stretched valuations.

Despite the weekly decline, the US500 index is up 16.67% compared to the same time last year, highlighting the market’s strong year-to-date performance even amid recent volatility. The correction appears to be a healthy pullback after an extended rally that saw multiple record highs earlier in the year.

U.S. Economy

The week’s economic focus centered on labor market data, which continued to show resilience despite some softening. Initial Jobless Claims in the United States increased to 218 thousand in the week ending July 26 of 2025 from 217 thousand in the previous week. The modest increase in claims suggests the labor market remains stable, though continuing claims data shows some persistence in unemployment levels.

Continuing Jobless Claims in the United States remained unchanged at 1946 thousand in the week ending July 19 of 2025 from 1946 thousand in the previous week. This stability in continuing claims indicates that while new layoffs remain low, those who are unemployed are taking longer to find new positions.

Inflation data from June showed a moderate uptick, with Inflation Rate in the United States increased to 2.70 percent in June from 2.40 percent in May of 2025. This increase brings inflation closer to the Federal Reserve’s target, though it remains within acceptable ranges that shouldn’t trigger immediate policy changes.

Metals and Mining

The precious metals sector showed mixed performance this week, with silver emerging as a standout performer. Silver rose to 37.02 USD/t.oz on August 1, 2025, up 0.93% from the previous day. Over the past month, Silver’s price has risen 1.25%, and is up 29.60% compared to the same time last year.

Silver’s strong performance reflects continued investor interest in precious metals as a hedge against economic uncertainty and inflation concerns. The metal has significantly outperformed many other asset classes year-to-date, benefiting from both industrial demand and safe-haven flows.

Gold continues to maintain its position as a preferred store of value, particularly as geopolitical tensions persist globally. The precious metals complex remains supported by central bank purchases and portfolio diversification strategies among institutional investors.

Industrial metals showed more mixed results, with supply chain concerns and global economic growth questions weighing on demand expectations. However, green energy transition themes continue to provide underlying support for certain metals used in renewable energy infrastructure.

Energy and Oil

The energy sector faced headwinds this week as oil prices retreated from recent highs. Crude Oil fell to 67.28 USD/Bbl on August 1, 2025, down 3.00% from the previous day. Over the past month, Crude Oil’s price has fallen 0.26%, and is down 8.49% compared to the same time last year.

The decline in oil prices reflects concerns about global demand growth, particularly from China, and improved supply conditions in key producing regions. OPEC+ production decisions and U.S. strategic petroleum reserve policies continue to influence market dynamics.

Natural gas markets remain volatile, influenced by weather patterns, storage levels, and export demand. The transition to cleaner energy sources continues to create structural changes in traditional energy markets, affecting both pricing and investment flows.

Renewable energy stocks showed resilience despite broader market weakness, as policy support and technological advances continue to drive long-term growth prospects in the sector.

World Markets

European equity markets displayed mixed performance as investors navigated ongoing economic challenges and policy uncertainties. Central bank policies across the region continue to influence market sentiment, with the European Central Bank maintaining its cautious approach to monetary policy adjustments.

Asian markets showed divergent trends, with Chinese equities continuing their recovery amid government stimulus measures and improving economic data. However, concerns about trade relationships and global economic growth continue to create volatility in the region.

Japan’s markets reflected ongoing speculation about Bank of Japan policy changes, with currency movements affecting export-dependent companies. The yen’s strength against the dollar continues to impact the competitiveness of Japanese manufacturers in global markets.

Emerging markets faced pressure from dollar strength and concerns about capital flows, though some regions benefited from commodity price movements and domestic policy support measures.

The Week Ahead

Key economic releases scheduled for the coming week include:

Key Topics to Watch:

• U.S. leading economic indicators for July

• Initial jobless claims for August 8

• Consumer Price Index (CPI) for July

• Producer Price Index (PPI) for July

• University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment (preliminary) for August

• S&P Global U.S. services PMI for August • S&P Global U.S. manufacturing PMI for August

Market participants will be closely monitoring inflation data to gauge Federal Reserve policy direction, while corporate earnings continue to provide insights into economic conditions across various sectors. Geopolitical developments and central bank communications from major economies will also influence market sentiment in the week ahead.

News Staff by — August 02, 2025 By News Staff in Market Watch
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