Copper rose for a second day as uncertainty around US tariff policy and its impact on broader markets drove a decline in the dollar. Futures edged toward $13,000 a ton on the London Metal Exchange , extending last week’s narrow gain. The greenback traded lower amid broader weakness in US assets, boosting commodities that are priced in it. The US Supreme Court last week ruled against President Dona...
Copper rose for a second day as uncertainty around US tariff policy and its impact on broader markets drove a decline in the dollar. Futures edged toward $13,000 a ton on the London Metal Exchange , extending last week’s narrow gain. The greenback traded lower amid broader weakness in US assets, boosting commodities that are priced in it. The US Supreme Court last week ruled against President Donald Trump’s use of emergency powers to set reciprocal trade duties, prompting the administration to roll out an alternative 10% global levy, which was then raised to 15%. The shift may lower the average tariff on Chinese goods to 24% from 32%, according to Morgan Stanley. Still, while that may aid metal-intensive exporters there, the relief could prove to be temporary as trade policy may evolve further. Copper, which has consolidated at a high level since hitting a record in January, was buffeted last year by frequent shifts in US trade policy, as well as mine snarls and forecasts for higher consumption from the energy transition. Tariffs typically undermine world economic growth, curbing demand for commodities . Investors are waiting for the return of Chinese traders after the Lunar New Year break, with markets to reopen on Tuesday. Higher copper prices can weigh on physical demand in the world’s top consumer, causing inventories to build. Copper added 0.2% to $12,983 a ton on the LME at 10:36 a.m. in Singapore. Other metals were mixed, with zinc steady and tin gaining 0.6%.
bymuratdeniz/E+ via Getty Images Opus Genetics, Inc. ( IRD ) is a gene-therapy developer focused on inherited retinal diseases (IRDs). The company uses adeno-associated virus (AAV) and aims for a one-dose treatment for gene augmentation to repair retinal structure. Its lead program is OPGx-LCA5 for Leber congenital amaurosis type 5 (LCA5) disease. This trial is enrolling for Phase 3. Similarly, an...
bymuratdeniz/E+ via Getty Images Opus Genetics, Inc. ( IRD ) is a gene-therapy developer focused on inherited retinal diseases (IRDs). The company uses adeno-associated virus (AAV) and aims for a one-dose treatment for gene augmentation to repair retinal structure. Its lead program is OPGx-LCA5 for Leber congenital amaurosis type 5 (LCA5) disease. This trial is enrolling for Phase 3. Similarly, another candidate is OPGx-BEST1 for retinal degeneration therapy that causes several conditions, including macular lesions with central vision loss. IRD also advances a partnered phentolamine ophthalmic program with Viatris ( VTRS ). So, on balance, I believe IRD has a promising scientific platform and offers a compelling risk-reward equation for long-term bulls at these levels. Betting on Eye Genetics Opus Genetics, Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company that develops gene therapies for inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) that cause severe vision loss. IRD was founded back in 2018 and is currently headquartered in Durham, North Carolina. What's interesting about IRD is its AAV genetic therapeutic approach for tackling inherited eye diseases. They've also generated some revenues from licensing and collaborations already, which lends credence to their underlying science as well. So, since it's a relatively underfollowed name, I thought it was worthwhile writing an article on this stock. Source: Investor Presentation. January 2026. As a quick overview, IRD's technology uses gene augmentation with adeno-associated virus (AAV). This requires that there are still enough living retinal cells in the patient's eye to receive the working gene and start producing the missing protein that provokes the IRD. The company calls it a clinical imperative that the target diseases and patients have a retinal structure relatively preserved. So, in that sense, this is a critical consideration for IRD's treatments, as they have to pre-select patients who can actually be helped. With that in ...
alexsl/iStock via Getty Images I am of the opinion that the Invesco S&P Spin-Off ETF ( CSD ) possesses a few meaningful disadvantages that make this passively managed vehicle only a Hold despite impressive performance it has been demonstrating recently amid the capital rotation to cyclicals and the seemingly promising premise. The main points of concern that contributed to my mild skepticism are: ...
alexsl/iStock via Getty Images I am of the opinion that the Invesco S&P Spin-Off ETF ( CSD ) possesses a few meaningful disadvantages that make this passively managed vehicle only a Hold despite impressive performance it has been demonstrating recently amid the capital rotation to cyclicals and the seemingly promising premise. The main points of concern that contributed to my mild skepticism are: CSD's inability to deliver a higher annualized total return than that of the iShares Core S&P 500 ETF ( IVV ) since the index change in 2016, its rather soft risk-adjusted returns compared to those of IVV, mainly the result of its high volatility, deep maximum drawdowns and high downside capture ratio, and the ETF's not exactly perfect liquidity and high net expense ratio of 0.65%, a significant detractor from its annualized returns. In the article, I would like to give these issues the attention they deserve plus, as usual, review the portfolio composition (including its sector and factor exposures) and how it compares to IVV's, as well as outline who still might shortlist this vehicle as a tactical satellite allocation. CSD Strategy and Portfolio As we know from the Invesco website , CSD "... is based on the S&P U.S. Spin-Off Index," which ... is composed of companies that have been spun off from larger corporations within the past four years. The Index is computed using the gross total return, which reflects dividends paid. The Fund and the Index are rebalanced monthly. As it is explained in the prospectus, constituents for the spin-off index are drawn from " ...the S&P U.S. BMI, a country sub-index of the S&P Global BMI." Importantly, their float-adjusted market capitalization must be no less than $1 billion "at the time they are added to the Underlying Index." This means that micro-caps and a substantial number of small-caps cannot compete for a place in them. I believe this adds a slight layer of quality to the strategy and helps to reduce volatility at least a little...
Sean Stein, President at the US-China Business Council, discusses the uncertainty around the US trade tariffs and the impact for businesses navigating in China. He speaks with Avril Hong and Shery Ahn on Bloomberg: The Asia Trade. (Source: Bloomberg)
Sean Stein, President at the US-China Business Council, discusses the uncertainty around the US trade tariffs and the impact for businesses navigating in China. He speaks with Avril Hong and Shery Ahn on Bloomberg: The Asia Trade. (Source: Bloomberg)
Chinese insurers underwriting electric vehicle (EV) policies have a better chance of turning a profit this year, supported by higher premiums, intelligent pricing mechanisms and improved claims-handling efficiency. A turnaround in mainland China’s EV insurance market, against the backdrop of a bearish outlook for the automotive sector, will accelerate the pace of electrification on the country’s r...
Chinese insurers underwriting electric vehicle (EV) policies have a better chance of turning a profit this year, supported by higher premiums, intelligent pricing mechanisms and improved claims-handling efficiency. A turnaround in mainland China’s EV insurance market, against the backdrop of a bearish outlook for the automotive sector, will accelerate the pace of electrification on the country’s roads, according to industry officials and analysts. “Heavy losses in the insurance business used to...
Message seen as reference to Ukraine war could create unnecessary tensions, says Seoul; Hungary to block new EU sanctions against Russia amid oil feud. What we know on day 1,461 Continue reading...
Message seen as reference to Ukraine war could create unnecessary tensions, says Seoul; Hungary to block new EU sanctions against Russia amid oil feud. What we know on day 1,461 Continue reading...