Weekly Markets Newsletter 10th February by Charlotte St Felix
Market Recap: February 3 – February 9, 2025
Global Equities
United States:
S&P 500: Declined by 0.24%, closing at 6,025.99 (vs +1.54%, closing at 6,045.73 the week prior), as investors reacted to tariff uncertainties and mixed corporate earnings.
Nasdaq Composite: Fell by 0.53%, ending at 19,523.40 (vs +1.94% the previous week), pressured by a sell-off in tech stocks following concerns over new AI developments.
Dow Jones Industrial Average: Decreased by 0.54%, closing at 44,303.40 (vs +1.79% the week prior), as tariff announcements weighed on investor sentiment.
Europe:
FTSE 100: Increased by 0.31%, closing at 8,632.20 (vs +1.2%, closing at 8,605.50 the week prior), as the weaker pound continued to benefit exporters.
CAC 40: Rose by 0.29%, ending at 7,802.50 (vs +0.9% the previous week), supported by gains in luxury goods and industrials.
DAX 40: Added 0.25%, closing at 16,361.25 (vs +1.1%, closing at 16,320.45 the week prior), as optimism in manufacturing and trade drove gains.
Fixed Income
U.S. Treasury Yields: The 10-year yield decreased to 4.50% from 4.54%, reflecting cautious optimism amid geopolitical and inflation concerns.
UK Gilts: Yields edged lower to 4.48% (vs 4.54% the week prior), as investors anticipated potential rate cuts following mixed economic data.
Commodities
Spot gold: Increased to $2,865 per ounce (+2% weekly) safe-haven demand persisted amid ongoing tariff uncertainties.
Silver: Rose to $32.35 per ounce, following gold's upward trajectory.
Oil: Prices rebounded, with WTI U.S. crude rising trading around $74.69 per barrel (vs $74 the week prior), as OPEC signaled potential production cuts in response to global demand concerns.
Cryptocurrency
Bitcoin (BTC): Down at $96,500 vs $97,689 the week prior
Economic Indicators
United States:
Manufacturing Activity: The Institute for Supply Management's (ISM) Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) indicated that factory activity expanded in January for the first time since 2022. However, potential tariffs pose a significant threat to sustained recovery in the sector.
Labor Market: The U.S. economy added 143,000 jobs in January, down from an upwardly revised 307,000 in December and below expectations of 170,000. The unemployment rate declined to 4.0% from 4.1%.
Recent analyses suggest that the upcoming January Consumer Price Index (CPI) report, scheduled for release on February 12, 2025, may reveal higher-than-anticipated inflation figures. Economists project a 0.3% month-over-month increase in both headline and core CPI, maintaining the year-over-year rates at 2.9% and 3.2%, respectively.
Financial markets have already shown signs of adjusting to these expectations, with inflation swaps indicating a rise in both short-term and long-term inflation anticipations. Factors such as declining productivity and increasing labor costs are contributing to these inflationary pressures, complicating the economic outlook and potentially influencing Federal Reserve policy decisions.
United Kingdom:
Bank of England Policy: The Bank of England cut its benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points to 4.5%, citing progress in subduing inflation and wage growth. The decision was made with a 7–2 vote, with two members advocating for a 50 basis point reduction due to a sharper-than-expected economic slowdown.
Geopolitical Events
U.S. Trade Policy: President Trump announced the implementation of 25% tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada, along with 10% levies on Chinese imports, effective February 1. However, he later agreed to postpone tariffs on Mexico and Canada for 30 days, providing temporary relief to markets.
This week, the Full Moon in Leo forms a T-square with Uranus in Taurus, which is currently applying to Algol and Donald Trump’s Midheaven. This configuration brings heightened tensions, instability, and unexpected disruptions in leadership, financial markets, and global affairs. Additionally, Uranus is squaring Mercury, further emphasizing volatile communication, erratic decision-making, and market fluctuations.
Full Moon in Leo and the T-Square with Uranus on Algol
The Full Moon in Leo highlights themes of leadership, authority, and public recognition, often marking turning points, revelations, or dramatic events concerning political figures.
Uranus in Taurus conjunct Algol intensifies themes of chaos, upheaval, and crisis in leadership. Algol is historically linked to power struggles, violence, and unpredictable moments of reckoning.
The T-square configuration suggests sudden, high-impact events in global markets, politics, and social movements, particularly in areas related to finance, security, and innovation.
Uranus applying to Trump’s Midheaven signals potential disruptions in his public image, career trajectory, and influence, aligning with past transits that have marked unexpected challenges or crisis points in his political career.
Historical Parallel: Uranus, Algol, and the 2024 Assassination Attempt
The last time Uranus conjoined Trump’s Midheaven and Algol, it formed a square to his natal Mars, coinciding with the attempted assassination of Donald Trump on July 13, 2024, at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
The attack resulted in Trump sustaining a wound to his right ear, one attendee being killed, and two others critically injured. The shooter, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, was neutralized by Secret Service agents. (Source)
Astrologically, this event was a manifestation of the highly disruptive Uranian energy aligning with Algol, a fixed star historically associated with moments of downfall, extreme volatility, and violent disruptions.
Now, Uranus is once again approaching this position, but this time it is forming a square with transiting Mercury, introducing an additional layer of communication shocks, misinformation, and strategic unpredictability.
Uranus Square Mercury: Market Volatility and Unstable Communication
Uranus squaring Mercury increases the likelihood of erratic decision-making, unpredictable messaging, and major information disruptions.
Since Mercury rules trade, negotiations, and financial sentiment, this transit can destabilize markets, particularly given ongoing tariff disputes, inflation concerns, and AI sector turmoil.
Shocking headlines, impulsive announcements, and misinformation could play a significant role in escalating tensions, especially in political and financial domains.
Key Themes and Predictions
Markets: Expect increased volatility in equities and cryptocurrency, as the T-square triggers economic uncertainty and risk-off sentiment.
Politics: The Uranus-Algol influence suggests power struggles, potential security threats, and dramatic political developments. Trump’s Midheaven activation makes him particularly prone to sudden shifts in public standing, legal challenges, or controversies.
Social Unrest: The Pluto in Aquarius backdrop continues to fuel protests, revolutionary movements, and large-scale demands for structural change.
Communication Disruptions: The Uranus-Mercury square signals a period where misinformation, cyber-attacks, or sudden policy changes could drive instability.
Weekly Markets Newsletter - by Charlotte St Felix
Market Recap: January 27 – February 2, 2025
Global Equities
United States:
S&P 500: Declined by 0.5%, closing at 6,015.50 (vs +1.54%, closing at 6,045.73 the week prior), as investors weighed corporate earnings and emerging competition in the AI sector.
Nasdaq Composite: Fell by 1.2%, ending at 15,248.50 (vs +1.94% the previous week), pressured by a sell-off in tech stocks following concerns over new AI developments.
NVIDIA (NVDA): Dropped nearly 17% on Monday after reports of a competitive AI model from China's DeepSeek raised concerns about increased competition in the AI space.
Dow Jones: Increased by 0.3%, closing at 36,838.70 (vs +1.79% the week prior), marking its third consecutive week of gains, supported by positive earnings in industrial sectors.
Europe:
FTSE 100: Advanced by 1.5%, closing at 8,735.60 (vs +1.2%, closing at 8,605.50 the week prior), buoyed by strong earnings in the luxury goods sector and a weakening pound benefiting exporters.
CAC 40: Rose by 1.8%, ending at 7,919.80 (vs +0.9% the previous week), driven by robust performance in luxury and industrial stocks.
DAX 40: Gained 1.3%, closing at 16,532.60 (vs +1.1%, closing at 16,320.45 the week prior), as optimism in manufacturing and trade continued to drive gains.
Fixed Income
U.S. Treasury Yields: The 10-year yield remained steady at 4.63% (unchanged from the previous week), reflecting cautious optimism amid geopolitical and inflation concerns.
UK Gilts: Yields edged lower to 4.60% (vs 4.65% the week prior), as investors anticipated potential rate cuts following mixed economic data.
Commodities
Gold: Increased to $2,780.50 per ounce (+0.7% weekly) (vs $2,760.08 the week prior), as safe-haven demand persisted amid ongoing tariff uncertainties.
Silver: Rose to $31.20 per ounce (+1.1% weekly) (vs $30.87 the week prior), following gold's upward trajectory.
Oil: Prices rebounded, with U.S. crude rising 2% to trade around $75.50 per barrel (vs $74 the week prior), as OPEC signaled potential production cuts in response to global demand concerns.
Cryptocurrency
Bitcoin (BTC): Experienced volatility, surging to $110,000 before settling at $107,500 (vs $105,200 the week prior), reflecting ongoing speculative activity in the crypto markets.
Economic Indicators
United States:
Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) Inflation: The core PCE price index remained unchanged at 3.5% year-over-year, indicating that inflation pressures are persisting.
Federal Reserve Policy: The Federal Reserve held its policy rate steady at 4.25% to 4.50%, citing ongoing economic expansion and a solid labor market.
United Kingdom:
Wage Growth: Accelerated to a six-month high of 6.0% in the three months through November, in line with expectations.
Unemployment Rate: Unexpectedly rose to 4.4%, accompanied by the sharpest drop in payroll numbers since November 2020 and a further fall in job openings.
Geopolitical Events
U.S. Trade Policy: President Trump reiterated plans to impose 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada by February 1 and threatened an additional 10% tariff on Chinese goods, reintroducing uncertainty into global trade negotiations.
AI Competition: China's DeepSeek released a new open-source large language model requiring less energy and processing power, raising competitive concerns in the AI sector and impacting U.S. tech stocks.
In recent weeks, a wave of protests has erupted across various countries, including Greece, the United States, Germany, Serbia, Slovakia, Georgia, and South Korea. These movements, driven by diverse socio-political grievances, reflect a global surge in public dissent and demand for change.
Serbia: Over the past twelve weeks, Serbia has witnessed continuous protests, with at least twelve journalists assaulted during these events. The violence, inflicted by both police and supporters of the ruling party, has raised significant concerns about press freedom and governmental accountability.
Georgia: Since late 2024, Georgia has been embroiled in a constitutional crisis, leading to daily protests throughout December and into January 2025. Demonstrators have expressed dissatisfaction with governmental actions perceived as anti-European and have called for new elections. Notably, on January 15, Georgian citizens held the first-ever nationwide strike to demand the release of detained protesters and advocate for democratic reforms.
South Korea: In December 2024, following the president's declaration of martial law, South Korea experienced nationwide protests characterized by a unique blend of political dissent and cultural expression. Demonstrators, predominantly young women, incorporated K-pop elements into their protests, using LED light sticks and rewording popular songs to demand the president's impeachment.
Astrologically, these concurrent global protests can be viewed through the lens of Pluto's transit into Aquarius, which began on November 19, 2024. Pluto, the planet of transformation and rebirth, moving into Aquarius—a sign associated with innovation, rebellion, and collective movements—heralds a period of profound societal shifts. Historically, Pluto's presence in Aquarius has coincided with revolutionary developments and significant changes in social structures.
The current alignment suggests that the transformative energy of Pluto in Aquarius is manifesting as widespread public demand for change, challenging existing power dynamics, and advocating for more progressive and egalitarian societies. As this transit continues until 2044, we can anticipate ongoing movements that seek to redefine societal norms and promote collective empowerment.
We believe trade and innovation war headlines are feeding the short-term volatility. Indeed, in the past week, the VIX (CBOE Volatility Index) has spiked massively, reflecting rising uncertainty among investors. The VIX spiked above 18.5, its highest level in several months, as investors rushed to hedge against increased downside risk. Historically, such surges in volatility precede periods of larger equity drawdowns, especially when paired with uncertain macroeconomic conditions.
The combination of geopolitical risk, trade policy uncertainty, and the rapid evolution of AI competition is creating an environment where short-term volatility remains elevated.
On January 29–30, we experienced a New Moon in Aquarius, marking the beginning of a cycle characterized by heightened innovation, intensified control mechanisms, and a collective focus on societal change. This lunation was further energized by Uranus turning direct, amplifying the themes of disruption, technological advancement, and unpredictability.
Currently, Uranus is moving through the final degrees (3rd decan) of Taurus, and by the end of March 2025, it will exactly transit Donald Trump’s Midheaven, which is conjunct Algol—a fixed star historically associated with upheaval and dramatic shifts in power. This transit coincides with the solar eclipse in Aries, adding to the overall sense of instability and volatility. Given Trump's political style—marked by impulsivity and unpredictability—this planetary alignment is likely to exacerbate tensions in global markets and geopolitical affairs.
Moreover, the New Moon formed a square to Trump’s Mercury, reinforcing themes of erratic communication, abrupt policy shifts, and potential trade conflicts. With Aries energy dominating this period, the tone is likely to be more combative and confrontational, particularly regarding trade and innovation wars. This will be further fueled by an applying Pluto-Mars opposition, a configuration that often signals escalating tensions, power struggles, and aggressive maneuvers in economic and political arenas.
Meanwhile for this week, Venus is currently conjunct Neptune in Pisces, creating a temporary sense of optimism and relief in financial markets, though this is likely illusory and short-lived. As Venus moves into Aries on February 4, impulsivity in trading is expected to rise, leading to more erratic market movements. Additionally, Jupiter will turn direct in Gemini on the same day, signalling a surge in trading volumes across multiple asset classes, likely driven by increased speculation and volatility.
el
Weekly Markets Newsletter 20 JAN 2025 by Charlotte St Felix
Weekly Market Recap: January 13 – January 19, 2025
Global Equities:
United States: Major indices showed varied movements this week, with the S&P 500 advancing 1% and the Nasdaq Composite rising 1.5%.
Markets were buoyed by cooling inflation data (CPI up 0.4% m/m, 2.9% y/y; Core CPI up 0.2% m/m, 3.2% y/y) and robust December jobs growth (256,000 jobs added vs. 155,000 expected).
Treasury yields slid, with the 10-year yield plunging to 4.64%.
Europe: The STOXX Europe 600 Index ended 0.65% higher, reflecting cautious optimism despite political and economic uncertainty.
United Kingdom: The FTSE 100 closed at a record high of 8,505.22, gaining 3.1% over the week. Weak domestic economic data raised hopes for interest rate cuts, while a weakening pound benefited large-cap, internationally focused companies.
France: The CAC 40 Index advanced 2.4% this week, supported by strength in luxury goods and energy companies. Optimism surrounding a potential Middle East ceasefire also provided a lift to French equities.
Germany: The DAX 40 Index ended the week 2.7% higher, driven by strong industrial output data and easing energy prices. German exporters benefited from a weaker euro, which improved competitiveness in global markets.
Fixed Income:
U.S. Treasury yields dropped across maturities, influenced by mixed inflation data. The Fed is expected to pause rate cuts for January and March due to sticky inflation.
UK bond yields fell sharply last week, with the 10-year gilt yield dropping from 4.91% to 4.66% amid weak retail sales data, lower-than-expected inflation, and rising expectations of a Bank of England rate cut.
Cryptocurrency:
Bitcoin (BTC-USD): Bitcoin surged over 3% this week, surpassing the $100K mark, supported by softer core inflation data and optimism around Fed policy stability.
Economic Indicators:
US
Inflation: Headline CPI rose 0.4% m/m and 2.9% y/y, with core inflation at 0.2% m/m and 3.2% y/y.
Jobs Report: December's employment data beat expectations, adding 256,000 jobs versus a forecasted 155,000, reinforcing a strong labor market.
UK
UK gilt yields saw a sharp decline, with the 10-year yield dropping from 4.91% to 4.66%. This marked the best week for gilts since July, fueled by disappointing retail sales data, lower-than-expected December inflation (2.5%), and rising expectations of a Bank of England rate cut.
Geopolitical Events:
Israel-Hamas Ceasefire: A ceasefire agreement, set to begin January 19, could bring stability to the Middle East, alleviating energy market disruptions.
On January 20, 2025, Donald Trump was inaugurated as President of the United States. The event marked a contentious and polarizing transition, with large-scale demonstrations in Washington, D.C., and tight security around the capital. Trump's inaugural address emphasized economic revitalization, reduced regulation, and a hard stance on international trade. Markets remained stable, but uncertainty looms over future trade policies and international relations.
In DJT’s chart:
Uranus Conjunct Midheaven: signals bold, disruptive leadership and transformative policies that challenge the status quo, particularly in areas like cryptocurrency and deregulation
Neptune Trine Venus: reflects an aspirational vision linked to wealth and speculative ventures, such as the rise of cryptocurrencies (e.g., $TRUMP coin), blending innovation with potential deception
Uranus Sextile Saturn: indicates opportunities to disrupt existing structures while maintaining stability, fostering innovation in trade, energy, and technology
Saturn Square Uranus: highlights potential regulatory pushback against bold reforms, particularly in speculative markets like cryptocurrency, creating volatility
Commodities:
Oil: Crude prices edged higher for a fourth consecutive week.
Gold: Gold maintained strength, reflecting safe-haven demand amid ongoing inflation concerns.
Astrological commentary
Israel-Hamas ceasefire
The synastry chart between Israel’s foundation and the timing of the Hamas-Israel ceasefire deal highlights significant astrological dynamics, suggesting the agreement’s potential instability and challenges to lasting peace. Below are the key aspects and their interpretations:
On the left is the transit of the state of Israel to the deal’s chart
Sun conjunct Uranus: This aspect signifies the deal as a moment of sudden change and disruption. Uranus, symbolizing unpredictability and upheaval, suggests that while the ceasefire may bring an initial sense of relief, it could also trigger unexpected developments, destabilizing the agreement.
Pluto square Mercury: Pluto’s square to Mercury (exchange and communication) emphasizes deep-rooted tensions and the interrogation of the treaty’s foundations. This aspect highlights the likelihood of hidden motives, power struggles, or difficulties in reaching mutual understanding, weakening the agreement’s durability.
Mars opposing Mercury: The opposition of Mars and Mercury reflects conflicting energies between aggression and negotiation. This aspect suggests underlying hostility that could escalate, disrupting the delicate balance achieved during the ceasefire discussions.
Venus square Venus: The square between Venus in Israel’s chart and the ceasefire’s Venus indicates a clash of values and priorities. Venus represents harmony and agreements, and this tension suggests difficulties in aligning mutual interests, undermining the treaty’s ability to foster lasting peace.
Uranus square Saturn conjunct Venus: This aspect between Uranus (disruption) and Saturn-Venus (structure and harmony) reflects the struggle between maintaining stability and facing unpredictable shifts. The Venus-Saturn conjunction of the deal seeks to establish order, but Israel’s Uranus introduces volatility, indicating that the agreement may struggle to hold under changing circumstances.
Natal Saturn conjunct Mars, opposing the deal’s Saturn: This dynamic indicates significant pressure and conflict. Saturn’s conjunction with Mars reflects the underlying tension of control and conflict, while the opposition to the deal’s Saturn suggests a rigid, unyielding dynamic that could lead to a breakdown of the agreement over time.
The synastry between the charts suggests the ceasefire, while momentarily stabilizing, is built on a precarious foundation. Tensions indicated by Pluto, Mars, and Uranus suggest that underlying issues of power, aggression, and unpredictability remain unresolved. As these aspects play out, there is a high likelihood that the agreement may be short-lived, potentially erasing the recent optimism seen in markets tied to the news of the ceasefire.
Renewed hostilities could reverse any positive market momentum tied to the ceasefire and affect sectors sensitive to geopolitical tensions, such as energy and defence.
Equities
US equities
The S&P 500 experienced a 4% correction in early January 2025 but rebounded 1% during the week of January 13–17, closing at 5,996.66. This recovery suggests a short-lived correction, with investor confidence improving. The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) dropped 8.2%, reaching 15.6, its lowest since mid-2024, reflecting optimism but also raising concerns about potential complacency.
Astrologically, Uranus's conjunction with the S&P 500 Ascendant signals ongoing volatility, while Saturn’s separating aspects to the index’s Sun and Saturn suggest stabilization after recent contractions. However, Pluto’s applying square to Neptune indicates deeper transformative trends. As Pluto approaches the chart’s Midheaven in March 2025, coinciding with a Pisces-Virgo axis eclipse, a significant market shift is anticipated. Pluto’s opposition to the index’s natal Uranus and Uranus's lingering presence near the Ascendant will likely sustain volatility in the months ahead.
UK equities
In the UK, the week of January 13–17, 2025 saw the FTSE 100 gain 3.1%, closing at a record high of 8,505.22 on January 17. The rally was driven by expectations of interest rate cuts following weak domestic economic data and a weaker pound, which benefited internationally focused companies. Key sectors like energy and financials also contributed to the strong performance.
In contrast, during the week of January 6–10, 2025, the FTSE 100 posted a modest increase, closing at 8,248.49 on January 10. Gains were limited due to concerns over rising gilt yields and slower economic growth, which tempered investor optimism.
The FTSE 100 is undergoing Pluto square Pluto and Neptune square Neptune transits, signalling systemic transformation and renewal of its structures. The Pluto square peaks at the end of January 2025, while the Neptune square culminates in mid-March, aligning with potential shifts in the UK market’s fundamentals.
Uranus is not making major transits to the chart, its absence is reflected in stable market conditions. Indeed, the FTSE 100 Volatility Index (VFTSE) remained steady last week, ranging between 10.27 and 11.54, showing limited turbulence.
France & Germany
The CAC 40 and DAX 40 saw steady performances during the week of January 13–17, 2025, as both indices benefited from positive earnings and improving sentiment in key sectors. The CAC 40 rose 2% to close at 7,709.75, driven by strong gains in luxury goods, with LVMH and Hermès performing well amid robust earnings reports. In contrast, the DAX 40 posted a more modest increase of 0.3%, closing at a new all-time high of 16,320.45, supported by strong performances in industrials and technology. Compared to the previous week, the CAC’s gains accelerated from 1.1%, while the DAX slowed slightly from its 0.5% advance, reflecting sectoral and regional differences in market drivers.
Astrologically speaking, both indices are entering a transformative period in 2025 with shared influences of Neptune and Saturn – we can expect contraction following rising enthusiasm:
Neptune square Uranus (March 2025): Signals innovation challenges and uncertainty, likely impacting technology and energy sectors in both markets.
Neptune square Saturn (April for CAC, May for DAX): Reflects periods of structural adjustments and pragmatic decision-making, particularly in sectors vulnerable to macroeconomic shifts.
Saturn square Saturn (April for CAC, May for DAX): Indicates consolidation and long-term strategy shifts, with each index facing unique timing for reassessments and rebalancing.
Crypto currencies
Over the past two weeks, Bitcoin (BTC) has exhibited notable volatility. After surpassing the $100,000 mark on January 6, 2025, BTC experienced a decline, briefly dipping below $90,000 on January 13, 2025, before recovering to approximately $96,816.47 by January 17, 2025.
The bitcoin chart’s displays an Uranus square Neptune aspect, exact in February 2025, which is associated with heightened market volatility and speculative exuberance. This alignment often correlates with sudden and unpredictable market movements, as Uranus's influence brings innovation and disruption, while Neptune's energy can blur boundaries and create illusions, leading to over-optimism or misjudgment in financial decisions, whilst transiting Saturn opposition Saturn, exact in March 2025 could bring some contraction to the price growth.
Looking ahead, the Neptune square Pluto aspect, peaking in May 2025, suggests deep, transformative shifts in collective financial structures. This transit may uncover hidden issues within financial systems, prompting significant changes and reforms.
On January 17, 2025, the $TRUMP coin was launched, coinciding with significant transits in Donald Trump's natal chart. Notably, transiting Uranus is conjunct his Midheaven, indicating sudden changes and a public embrace of innovative ventures. Additionally, transiting Neptune trines his natal Venus in Cancer, suggesting the pursuit of financial opportunities that may have an illusory or deceptive quality.
We are overall expecting disruptions across multiple asset classes around the time of the Pisces-Virgo axis eclipse in March 2025.
Earnings Calendar for next week:
Tuesday, January 21: Netflix (NFLX), General Electric (GE)
Wednesday, January 22: Proctor & Gamble (PG), Johnson & Johnson (JNJ)
Thursday, January 23: Intuitive Surgical (ISRG), Union Pacific (UNP)
Friday, January 24: American Express (AXP), Verizon (VZ)
Relevant Charts for the Newsletter
Bitcoin – January 3, 2009, 18:15:00
CAC 40 – December 31, 1987, 00:00:00
DAX – July 1, 1988, 00:00:00
FTSE 100 – January 3, 1984, 08:00:00
Israel – May 14, 1948, 16:00:00
S&P 500 – March 4, 1957, 09:30:00
Donald J Trump – June, 14, 1946, 10:54