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Explainer: what are financial conditions and why they matter for traders?

This explainer looks at what determines financial conditions, the impact they have on markets and the real economy, along with the indicators you can watch to monitor how they’re evolving.

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December 21, 2023 11:38 PM
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The top 10 strongest currencies in the world

The world's strongest currency is the Kuwait dinar. Its high value comes from Kuwait’s booming oil industry, which accounts for 80% of the country’s exports. It is also the highest valued currency pegged to the US dollar.

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Economic depression vs recession: preparing for financial downturns

An economic depression is more severe and long-lasting than a recession, but both can wreak havoc on financial markets. Find out what the difference between a depression and recession is, and how you can prepare for a longer economic decline.

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December 15, 2022 11:55 AM

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Trading copper futures online: how to speculate on the price of copper

Copper has a huge range of applications across industries, which is why traders use it as a benchmark for economic health. Learn how to trade copper futures and copper mining stocks to take advantage of changes in the metal’s price.

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October 28, 2022 09:15 AM
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Why you should watch the Baltic Dry Index as recession fears grow

The Baltic Dry Index has proven to be a reliable indicator of future global economic activity and could prove a useful tool amid the uncertain outlook.

Explaining the Financial Crisis | Causes and Effects

A financial crisis occurs when a major financial asset rapidly loses value, causing stocks prices to plunge and depositors to pull their money from financial institutions. Learn more in our review of the 2008 financial crisis.

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What does lumber tell us about housing prices?

As the price of lumber continues to rise, we should continue to expect the price of housing to rise as well.

April 27, 2021 12:25 PM

What are emerging market economies and how can you trade them?

Emerging markets present a range of opportunities to take advantage of volatility and growth across stocks, indices and currency pairs. Discover how to recognise an emerging market and what you should know before trading emerging market assets.

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April 15, 2021 06:44 AM
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Spread betting or CFD trading: what are the differences?

UK traders can choose between CFDs and spread bets – but which is best for you? Read through our comprehensive guide to find out.

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March 25, 2021 05:12 AM

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