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The USDCAD moved sharply lower on Friday after Canada’s GDP report came in weaker than expected. The fall stalled near a key technical level—the 50% midpoint of the rise from the mid-September swing low to the early-November high. That midpoint comes in at 1.39367, and Friday’s low held just above it at 1.39374, keeping buyers “in play” at that support zone.

The rebound that followed pushed the pair back above the swing area between 1.3968 and 1.3975, and the rally extended into today’s European morning session with a high of 1.3991. However, the last several hours have seen a steady rotation lower, with the price slipping back below that same swing area.

That 1.3968–1.3975 zone now becomes close resistance for traders, alongside the broken 38.2% retracement at 1.39847. Staying below those levels keeps the short-term bias tilted to the downside.

On the downside, the key target remains the 50% midpoint at 1.39367. A break below that level would likely shift focus toward the converging 100- and 200-day moving averages near the 1.3895 region, where stronger buyers may look to reassert support.

This article was written by Greg Michalowski at investinglive.com.

The announcement comes weeks after President Donald Trump inked deals with Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to make their GLP-1 drugs easier for Americans to access.

Dollar fell broadly today, though the move lacked a clear single trigger. Fed expectations barely shifted, with December cut bets ticking up only marginally to 87%, not meaningfully different from last week. US yields were also steady to firmer, with 10-year Treasury yields recovering back above the 4% mark, offering no obvious impetus for a […]

The post Dollar Slumps as Yen Surge Triggers Position Unwinds appeared first on ActionForex.

If you have a flexible spending account at work for health expenses, there’s a good chance you need to use any remaining balance by Dec. 31.

Goldman Sachs has made asset and wealth management a priority since pivoting away from a consumer banking push.

The USD is lower vs all the major currencies to start the trading day and the trading week in the North American session.

The biggest mover is the USDJPY which has declined by 0.74%. The USD is weaker vs the EUR by 0.34% and the CHF by -0.22% The USD’s move vs the GBP (-0.06), CAD (-0.06%), AUD (-0.08%) and NZD (-0.05%) are minimal.

IN the video above, I take a technical look at the 3 major currency pairs – the EURUSD, USDJPY and GBPUSD – and outline the bias, the risks and the targets for traders today.

The USDJPY’s big move has been propelled by Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda signaling more clearly than ever that the BOJ is preparing to continue raising interest rates, while still keeping policy broadly accommodative to support Japan’s moderate recovery.

He noted that global economies are showing mild weakness but continue to expand, and that the impact of U.S. tariffs has not yet been as severe as feared, though some temporary global slowdown is still expected. Ueda said that if the BOJ’s projections for growth and inflation keep unfolding as anticipated, the bank will continue lifting rates gradually—describing it as “easing off the accelerator” rather than tightening aggressively.

He highlighted Japan’s improving economic outlook, saying the chance of the baseline scenario playing out is increasing and the recent negative GDP reading should be temporary. Sustained wage momentum remains essential, with next year’s spring wage negotiations and the more than 5% minimum wage hike likely to encourage broader pay increases. On inflation, Ueda expects a temporary dip in core inflation below 2% before it re-accelerates toward the BOJ’s target later in the projection period. He also warned that with firms now more willing to raise wages and prices, currency moves may pass through to inflation more directly than in the past, especially for frequently purchased items like food.

Looking ahead to the December 18–19 meeting, Ueda said the BOJ will evaluate economic conditions, markets, and risks before deciding whether to raise rates, stressing the need for timely but cautious adjustments. The yen strengthened throughout the morning ahead of his remarks and continued rising afterward, underscoring market expectations that a December rate hike is increasingly likely—and perhaps already partly priced in by investors.

The PMI data out of Europe were generally soft, with most countries missing expectations and signaling a sluggish manufacturing backdrop. Spain, Germany, and the broader Eurozone all missed their estimates, pointing to weaker momentum across the region. France and the UK managed to meet expectations, while Italy was the lone bright spot with a beat, edging back into expansion territory. Overall, the results suggest that while pockets of stability remain, European manufacturing is still struggling to gain consistent traction heading into year-end.

• Spain Manufacturing PMI: 51.5 actual vs 52.3 estimate → MISS. Prior 52.1

• Italy Manufacturing PMI: 50.6 actual vs 50.1 estimate → BEAT. Prior 49.9

• France Final Manufacturing PMI: 47.8 actual vs 47.8 estimate → MET. Prior 47.8

• Germany Final Manufacturing PMI: 48.2 actual vs 48.4 estimate → MISS. Prior 48.4

• Eurozone Final Manufacturing PMI: 49.6 actual vs 49.8 estimate → MISS. Prior 49.7

• UK Final Manufacturing PMI: 50.2 actual vs 50.2 estimate → MET. Prior 50.2

US stocks are lower in pre-market trading. Each of the major currencies are on a 5-day win streak. That is in jeopardy day. A snapshot of the pre-market levels implied by futures shows:

• Dow -225 points
• S&P
• Nasdaq -250 points

In other markets:

• OPEC+ agreed to keep oil production levels unchanged through the first quarter of 2026, pausing any further output increases as the group monitors signs of a potential supply glut. The alliance also approved a new mechanism to evaluate each member’s maximum sustainable production capacity, which will be used next year to set 2027 quota baselines. The overall tone of the meeting was cautious: after restoring nearly 2.9 million barrels per day since April, OPEC+ is now prioritizing stability to avoid oversupplying the market and putting additional downward pressure on prices. The price of crude oil is up $0.62 at $59.17.
• Gold is up $29 or 0.69% at 44248.14
• Silver is up $0.81 or .45% at $57.22
• Bitcoin is down sharply by – $5000 at $85,375 and risk-off flows. The price last week extended to $93,091

Today in the North American session both Canada and ISM Manufacturing PMI data will be released:

• Canada Manufacturing PMI: forecast 49.6, previous 49.6

• US Final Manufacturing PMI: forecast 51.9, previous 51.9

• US ISM Manufacturing PMI: forecast 49.0, previous 48.7

• US ISM Manufacturing Prices: forecast 59.5, previous 58.0

This article was written by Greg Michalowski at investinglive.com.

As financial markets evolve, long-term trading success is increasingly shaped not just by strategy or technical skill, but by psychology, mental resilience, and overall well-being.This shift is especially visible in the fast-growing world of proprietary (prop) trading, where performance demands are high and trader mindset has become a core competitive advantage.

The Psychological Demands of Modern Trading

In today’s environment of rapid information flow and elevated market volatility, traders face intense emotional pressures. Staying composed is now as essential as executing the right trade.

Across the industry, traders are emphasizing:

• Emotional discipline and self-regulation

• Routine-based decision-making

• Stress management and recovery cycles

• Reduced personal financial exposure

• Structured environments that support consistency

These priorities naturally align with the advantages offered by prop trading where traders use firm capital rather than risking their own, allowing them to trade with clarity and confidence.

Prop Trading’s Rise as a Preferred Model

Prop trading has become the go-to model for traders seeking scalability, performance focus, and lowered financial stress. With no personal capital required, traders can concentrate on execution instead of worrying about account drawdowns from their own pockets.

Key drivers behind the model’s popularity include:

• Access to professionally funded accounts

• Transparent evaluation processes

• Predictable trading conditions

• Fast capital scaling opportunities

• Community-focused support structures

As a result, prop trading is increasingly seen as the optimal pathway for serious traders aiming for institutional-level trading conditions with personal freedom.

Prime Bullwaves: Setting a New Standard for Modern Prop Trading

Among the industry’s emerging leaders, Prime Bullwaves is distinguished for building a prop ecosystem specifically designed around trader psychology, resilience, and sustainable long-term performance.

Prime Bullwaves combines proprietary funding models with a transparent, trader-centric infrastructure ensuring that every trader, regardless of background, has the environment needed to perform at peak potential.

Adaptive Funding Through 1-Step and 2-Step Challenges

Prime Bullwaves offers two strategic pathways to funded trading, allowing traders to choose the process that best fits their psychological profile:

1-Step Challenge

A direct, fast-track evaluation designed for confident traders seeking accelerated access to trading capital. Minimal procedural steps, maximum speed.

2-Step Challenge

A more structured, traditional evaluation ideal for traders who prefer a disciplined, methodical, risk-managed approach to securing funding.

This flexibility empowers traders to enter a funding route that aligns with their mindset, style, and long-term trading goals.

Trader-Centric Conditions Built for Clarity and Stability

Prime Bullwaves is committed to conditions that reduce stress and promote consistency:

• Transparent rules and funding criteria

• Stable execution environments

• Advanced market access and tools

• Clear scaling pathways

• Supportive, community-driven atmosphere

By optimizing transparency and execution quality, Prime Bullwaves minimizes unnecessary pressure and enables traders to operate with heightened confidence and control.

A More Sustainable Future for Traders

As the trading landscape continues to evolve, firms that pair robust funding opportunities with mental well-being support are setting the benchmark for long-term trader success. Prime Bullwaves is at the forefront of this movement, championing the idea that disciplined environments, psychological resilience, and transparent programs create healthier and more sustainable trading careers.

The future of prop trading belongs to firms that understand traders not just their strategies, but their mindset. And Prime Bullwaves is leading that future.

This article was written by IL Contributors at investinglive.com.