The Weekly Rundown 📊

Revaluing Gold: How Washington Could Unlock $800 Billion Without Raising Debt​

For decades, gold has sat on the U.S. balance sheet at a token valuation of $42.22 per ounce—an official figure unchanged for generations—but mounting fiscal strain and a national debt exceeding $37 trillion suggest that number may soon change. In an unusual acknowledgment that gold still holds relevance in U.S. monetary policy, the Federal Reserve recently referenced the metal in an official report, aligning with draft versions of President Trump’s proposed Bitcoin Act circulating in both the Senate and House. These bills explicitly outline a plan to revalue America’s official gold reserves—a process that, if approved, could unfold as early as 2026—to fund new sovereign wealth and Bitcoin reserve initiatives, redefining gold’s statutory value under 31 U.S. Code §5117. Repricing gold to around $3,400 an ounce could instantly “create” nearly $800 billion in debt-neutral liquidity—capital that might finance these funds without formally expanding the federal debt. Supporters hail it as an innovative way to rebalance public finances, while critics warn it mirrors a sophisticated form of quantitative easing that could trigger inflationary shockwaves worldwide. Should the U.S. move forward, other central banks may follow, reanchoring their currencies to tangible assets even as fiat values continue to erode. Whether the goal is to ease America’s debt burden or to redefine reserves for a digital age, the implications are profound: gold—once dismissed as a barbarous relic—may again become the measure of monetary credibility, and the next chapter of U.S. finance could well be written in both gold and code.

Disclaimer: The information discussed reflects ongoing market speculation and legislative proposals. As of now, the U.S. government has not announced or approved any official revaluation of its gold reserves. Figures such as $800 billion in liquidity are based on independent analyst estimates, not formal projections from the Treasury or Federal Reserve.

 

[Elina Ward]

Monday 9 February 2026​

Nvidia Weekly Stock Move Explained: Earnings Positioning, AI Expectations, and Sector Rebalancing​

NVIDIA (NASDAQ: NVDA) was a U.S.-based semiconductor company founded in 1993 that built its leadership around graphics processing units before expanding aggressively into data centers, artificial intelligence, and accelerated computing. By 2026, Nvidia had become a core infrastructure provider for AI workloads, with its stock increasingly reflecting expectations around hyperscaler spending, earnings visibility, and valuation discipline rather than traditional cyclical semiconductor trends.

This article reviewed Nvidia’s stock performance during the week from February 2 to February 6, explaining what caused the movement and why investors repositioned over the period.

During the week, Nvidia shares showed clear phases rather than a single directional move. After early-week pressure, the stock stabilized mid-week and rebounded into Friday, finishing the period more balanced as confidence returned.

What Drove Nvidia’s Weekly Move​

The primary driver was earnings-related positioning following a strong prior rally. Early in the week, Nvidia briefly traded near the 190 area before profit-taking emerged, pushing the stock lower as investors reduced exposure ahead of earnings and guidance clarity. This selling reflected de-risking rather than a reassessment of Nvidia’s AI outlook.

Sector rotation added to the pressure. As markets rotated within technology, high-multiple semiconductor names faced temporary headwinds. Nvidia, often used as a proxy for AI sentiment, was sensitive to this shift, with weakness driven by portfolio rebalancing rather than negative company-specific news.

Mid-week, the stock tested support in the low-170s, where selling pressure began to fade. Debate around the sustainability of AI capital expenditure encouraged caution, but the absence of adverse developments allowed buyers to gradually step in on pullbacks.

By Friday, sentiment improved. Nvidia opened higher near the mid-170s and staged a strong recovery toward the mid-180s, reflecting renewed accumulation as confidence in its dominant AI position reasserted itself.

Why the Stock Behaved the Way It Did​

Despite notable volatility, Nvidia’s price action remained orderly and controlled. The decline unfolded through steady selling rather than abrupt breaks, suggesting institutional repositioning instead of speculative unwinding. Likewise, the rebound developed through consistent buying rather than a single spike.

Positioning played a key role. With expectations already elevated, the absence of fresh upside catalysts led to consolidation rather than continuation. Once downside momentum exhausted, confidence returned quickly, reinforcing the corrective nature of the move.

Takeaway​

Nvidia’s movement during the February 2–6 period was driven by positioning and reassessment rather than surprise. Early-week weakness reflected profit-taking and sector rotation, while the late-week rebound highlighted sustained confidence in Nvidia’s role as a core AI infrastructure leader. The stock’s recovery into the close suggested consolidation ahead of earnings, with future direction dependent on results and guidance rather than short-term sentiment alone.

The chart below tracks Nvidia’s movement from February 2 to February 6 on a 5-minute candlestick timeframe.

Nvidia is set to report earnings in the coming days, with results expected after market close on February 25, covering the fiscal quarter ended January 2026.

 

[Elina Ward]

Tuesday 10 February 2026​

BTCUSD Weekly Move Explained: Fed‑Shock Risk-Off, Liquidations, and a $60K Flush With a Fast Recovery

(BTCUSD) traded through a high‑volatility reset from Monday, Feb 2 to Monday, Feb 9, with price action driven by a broad risk‑off wave across markets, leverage unwinds inside crypto, and unusually thin liquidity that amplified every move.

The week opened in the high-$70,000s, still reflecting an earlier weekend slide that was worsened by thin liquidity. Selling pressure built through mid‑week and intensified on Thursday, Feb 5, when Bitcoin plunged to roughly $63,300 amid heavy liquidations and a wider selloff across risk assets. The most extreme downside occurred late Thursday/early Friday, when BTC briefly hit about $60,000 (a 16‑month low) before reversing sharply.

What drove the move was not one crypto headline but a sequence of linked pressures. Markets were rattled by shifting expectations for U.S. monetary policy after the nomination of Kevin Warsh as the next Fed chair, which investors interpreted as potentially more balance‑sheet‑hawkish and contributed to a cross‑asset deleveraging tone. At the same time, Bitcoin moved like a risk asset tied to technology sentiment: Reuters linked the crypto slide to weakness in tech and especially software shares, alongside turbulence in precious metals where leveraged positioning drove extreme moves.

Inside crypto, market mechanics amplified the decline. Billions of dollars of positions were liquidated as price fell, creating cascades and accelerating downside momentum. The impact was magnified by thinner liquidity; Reuters noted that market depth had declined materially, meaning smaller orders could create larger price swings than in prior periods. Fund flows also reflected risk reduction, with reports of significant spot Bitcoin ETF outflows during the week.

Why BTC rebounded on Friday comes down to two forces: exhaustion of forced selling, and stabilization in the broader risk tape. Reuters reported Bitcoin’s bounce back above $70,000—its largest daily gain since March 2023—was supported by a rebound in technology shares and precious metals after the global rout. While price recovered quickly, derivatives markets still showed elevated demand for downside protection, a sign that confidence remained fragile even as the panic phase eased.

Into Monday, Feb 9, Bitcoin traded in a more balanced way around the $70,000 area, reflecting stabilization rather than an immediate return to trend.

Takeaway: BTCUSD’s Feb 2–9 movement was driven primarily by macro‑led risk-off sentiment, thin liquidity, liquidation cascades, and product outflows, with the sharp Friday rebound emerging once risk assets stabilized and forced selling pressure faded. Various speculative narratives circulated online during the period. The market, however, continued to trade in line with positioning, liquidity, and broader risk sentiment.


The chart below tracks BTCUSD’s movement from February 2 to February 9 using hourly candlestick data, with daily highs and lows colour-coded to illustrate the evolution of volatility across the week.

 

[Elina Ward]

Wednesday 11 February 2026​

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Amazon Weekly Stock Move Explained: Earnings Miss, Heavy AI Spending, and Profitability Concerns​

Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) came under pressure following the release of its fourth-quarter 2025 results, as investor concerns about profitability and capital intensity overshadowed solid revenue growth. The reaction highlighted how sensitive markets remain to margin outlooks and spending commitments among mega-cap technology companies.

This article reviews how Amazon’s stock behaved following its earnings announcement and explains what drove the decline.

Amazon reported results after market close on February 5. While revenue beat expectations at $213.4 billion, up 13.6% year over year, earnings per share came in slightly below forecasts at $1.95 versus $1.96 expected. Although the earnings miss was marginal, investor focus shifted quickly to the company’s forward spending plans.

What Drove the Stock Lower​

The primary catalyst behind the selloff was Amazon’s announcement that it plans to invest more than $200 billion in capital expenditure in 2026, up sharply from $131 billion the previous year. The increased spending will be directed toward artificial intelligence infrastructure, data centres, custom chips, robotics, and low-earth-orbit satellite projects.

Markets reacted cautiously to the scale of the planned increase. While the investments are designed to strengthen Amazon’s position in cloud computing and AI services, they also imply near-term pressure on free cash flow and operating margins. Investors have become increasingly sensitive to spending intensity across the “Magnificent Seven,” especially where higher capital commitments are not immediately matched by profit expansion.

Shares fell sharply at the open on February 6, at one point trading roughly 9% lower, before moderating losses. The move reflected concerns that profitability could face headwinds in the coming quarters as Amazon ramps up infrastructure spending to support future growth.

Broader Context​

Amazon’s results marked the final major release among the large-cap technology group for the quarter. With these companies now accounting for more than a third of the S&P 500, their earnings have an outsized impact on overall market sentiment. While revenue growth remains strong across the sector, markets are increasingly scrutinising margin sustainability and capital discipline.

Takeaway​

Amazon’s post-earnings decline was not driven by revenue weakness, but by heightened concern over profitability and the scale of future investment. The company’s ambitious spending plans underscore its commitment to AI and infrastructure expansion, yet the market response suggests investors are demanding clearer visibility on returns before rewarding higher capital intensity.


The chart below shows Amazon’s movement between 2 and 6 February 2026 on a 30-minute timeframe.

 

[Elina Ward]

Thursday 12 february 2026​

Middle East Diplomatic Uncertainty Lifts Oil and Gold as Risk Premium Builds​

Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East reintroduced a measurable risk premium into global markets this week, supporting both crude oil and gold as investors reassessed regional stability. The advance reflected precautionary positioning rather than confirmed supply disruptions, with markets responding to uncertainty instead of immediate macroeconomic deterioration.

Oil: Risk Premium Emerges Early in the Week​

On Monday, 9 February, Brent crude (XBRUSD) began the week near $66.80, marking the session’s low before buyers stepped in. Early upside momentum developed as traders began repricing geopolitical exposure, pushing prices above the $67 level and signalling the start of a risk-driven move.

Although there were no verified interruptions to production or transport flows, oil markets often price potential risk ahead of tangible disruption. Sensitivity remains particularly high around the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic shipping corridor through which roughly one-fifth of global oil consumption flows.

As diplomatic uncertainty intensified mid-week, price action accelerated. On Wednesday, 11 February, Brent broke decisively higher in what appeared to be a risk-premium expansion phase, rallying toward a daily high of $70.16. The move represented an advance of roughly 5% from Monday’s low, underscoring the degree to which uncertainty alone can influence pricing.

The rally occurred without confirmed supply shock, reinforcing the view that the move reflected geopolitical repricing rather than structural disruption.

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Diplomatic Backdrop: Talks Without Resolution​

The geopolitical backdrop intensified following a meeting in Washington between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump. Reports indicated that discussions concluded without a definitive agreement on strategy toward Iran.

While the United States signalled a preference for continued negotiations regarding Iran’s nuclear programme, it simultaneously maintained a significant military presence in the region. Officials suggested that additional naval deployments remain under consideration, keeping escalation risk firmly in focus.

Recent maritime encounters between US and Iranian forces added to regional sensitivity, though they did not result in material energy disruption.

For markets, the absence of a clear resolution created strategic ambiguity — a condition that often sustains a temporary risk premium in energy markets.

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Thursday Consolidation: Premium Remains Elevated​

By Thursday, 12 February, oil prices pulled back modestly from the $70 area, recording a session low near $68.38. The retracement suggested that while immediate escalation fears had stabilised, the geopolitical premium had not fully unwound.

The controlled nature of the pullback indicated that traders were reassessing the probability of further developments rather than aggressively reversing positioning.

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Gold: Defensive Allocation in Parallel​

Gold moved higher alongside oil during the same period, reflecting capital preservation flows and portfolio hedging rather than inflation repricing. In times of geopolitical strain, oil typically reflects potential supply risk, while gold benefits from defensive asset allocation and volatility hedging.

The parallel strength across both commodities reinforced the view that markets were pricing uncertainty rather than economic overheating.

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Conclusion​

Between Monday, 9 February and Thursday, 12 February, Brent crude advanced from a low near $66.80 to a high of $70.16 before consolidating around the upper-$68 region. The move was driven not by confirmed disruption but by diplomatic uncertainty and elevated regional sensitivity.

For now, price action reflects a contained but elevated geopolitical premium. The durability of the move will depend on whether diplomatic engagement reduces perceived escalation risk or whether developments in the region reinforce the current uncertainty.

Markets are not pricing crisis — but they are pricing caution.

The chart below illustrates XBRUSD price action on a 1-hour candlestick timeframe between 9 February and 12 February 2026.