Understanding the British Pound: The Fourth Largest Trading Currency Globally
The British Pound (GBP), as the official currency of the United Kingdom, is issued by the Bank of England and holds a significant position in the global foreign exchange market. According to trading data, the British Pound accounts for approximately 13% of the daily trading volume in the forex market, second only to the US Dollar, Euro, and Japanese Yen, making it one of the most liquid currencies worldwide.
The UK’s main trading partners are Europe and the United States, so the most closely watched currency pairs include EUR/GBP and GBP/USD. Among these, the GBP/USD is one of the most traded currency pairs in the forex market, attracting significant investor attention. In the GBP/USD quote, the base currency is the British Pound, and the quote currency is the US Dollar. The number indicates how many US Dollars are needed to exchange for one British Pound.
Market Characteristics of GBP/USD
The British Pound, as the third largest component of the US Dollar Index (with a weight of 11.9%), has unique characteristics in the market.

Why is the Japanese Yen now becoming a focal point?
In December 2025, the NT$ to JPY exchange rate reached 4.85, hitting a yearly high. This trend has not only attracted the attention of travelers but also sparked a risk-averse wave among investors. Compared to the exchange rate of 4.46 at the beginning of the year, the yen has appreciated by about 8.7%—meaning those holding yen assets are already enjoying currency exchange benefits.
Why has the yen become one of the world's three major safe-haven currencies?
During periods of global economic turbulence, capital tends to flow into the yen, US dollar, and Swiss franc. During the Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2022, the yen appreciated by 8% within a week, while the stock market fell by 10%, demonstrating the yen's safe-haven value. For Taiwanese investors, allocating assets in yen not only hedges against Taiwan stock risks but also protects assets under the pressure of NT$ depreciation.
At the same time, the Bank of Japan's monetary policy is shifting. Governor Ueda Kazuo recently signaled a hawkish stance, and the market expects the December 19 meeting to...

Apple announced the Apple Intelligence project in June 2024, which led to a significant surge in the stock prices of related suppliers. This market movement has caused many investors to start paying attention to the investment value of Apple-related stocks. What exactly are Apple-related stocks? How can one profit from the expansion of Apple's supply chain? This article will provide a detailed analysis.
What are Apple-related stocks?
Apple-related stocks refer to shares associated with Apple's business operations, mainly divided into two categories: first, companies within Apple's supply chain, including component manufacturers, assembly plants, and contract manufacturers; second, companies that have business collaborations with Apple, such as product sales and technology licensing partners.
These stocks are characterized by their performance being highly correlated with the sales of Apple products. Every year, Apple publicly releases a list of the top 200 global suppliers. Companies on this list often enjoy the benefits of stock price increases, while those removed from the list face downward pressure on their stock prices. For example, ZTE

NVIDIA Stock Performance Amid Market Changes
Entering the second half of 2024, NVIDIA's stock has exhibited typical high volatility. In mid-June, the company's market capitalization reached a peak of $3.34 trillion, once becoming the world's largest company by market value, surpassing Apple and Microsoft. However, the stock price subsequently experienced a significant correction, falling over 20% by the end of June, marking the worst monthly performance since September 2022, with a loss of nearly $800 billion in market value.
By the end of the third quarter, NVIDIA's stock began to rebound. As of mid-October, the monthly increase reached 25%, with the stock price climbing to around $134.80, just shy of the previous high of $135.58. This rally has driven a recovery across the entire tech supply chain, benefiting related upstream companies.
Core Logic of NVIDIA Concept Stocks
What are NVIDIA concept stocks? Since NVIDIA adopts a fabless model, focusing on chip design and technology development, actual manufacturing and packaging are outsourced to third-party foundries.

Have you ever wondered why every time you read financial news, the anchor is discussing the dollar trend? More importantly—what exactly is the dollar index composed of, and how does it affect your investments?
Many people are both unfamiliar and familiar with the dollar index. Stock investors know it influences the Taiwan stock market, forex traders watch it to decide when to enter or exit, and those holding dollar assets are more concerned about its rise and fall. But if you ask, "What exactly are the components of the dollar index?" many might not be able to answer.
First, understand: What exactly is the dollar index measuring?
Imagine you want to assess a person's health status; you can't just look at height—you need to consider multiple indicators like weight, blood pressure, heart rate, and more. The dollar index follows this logic—it’s not just a simple exchange rate, but a measure of the overall strength of the dollar relative to other international currencies.
Specifically, the dollar index tracks the exchange rate changes of the dollar against six major currencies. These six currencies are:
- Euro (EU

If you are learning technical analysis of crypto assets or stocks, the RSI indicator is definitely a topic you can't avoid. This indicator is popular for its simplicity and ease of use, especially for novice investors; it is the best entry-level tool for technical analysis. So, how exactly is RSI calculated? How should you choose the parameters for RSI? What should you do when encountering divergence and weakening phenomena? This article will reveal these mysteries one by one.
Understanding the Core Principle of the Relative Strength Index
RSI (Relative Strength Indicator) is a technical tool used to measure the recent strength of market gains and losses. Its core logic is: by calculating the ratio of upward to downward price movements of stocks or crypto assets over a period of time, it determines the change in market bullishness and bearishness.
The main reasons why RSI is so popular among traders are twofold: first, the calculation method is straightforward

On December 19th, the Bank of Japan announced a 25 bps rate hike, raising the policy interest rate to 0.75%, the highest in nearly 30 years. However, following the rate hike announcement, the US dollar against the Japanese yen actually strengthened, breaking the market's original expectations.
Rate hike signals less hawkish than expected
Ueda Kazuo was unable to provide clear policy guidance that the market was expecting during the press conference. He emphasized that it is difficult for the central bank to determine the neutral interest rate level in advance. Currently, the estimated range remains at 1.0%–2.5%, and he stated that adjustments will be made when conditions permit. This ambiguous stance caused confusion in the market regarding the pace of subsequent rate hikes.
The central bank's statement mentioned that if the economic and price outlooks align with current forecasts, the pace of rate hikes will continue. However, due to the lack of a specific timetable, the market generally interpreted this as a relatively dovish stance.
Market expectations vs. hawkish signals gap
ANZ Bank strategist Felix Ryan pointed out that although the Bank of Japan has already initiated

Candlestick charts, also known as K-line charts, are the most fundamental and important tools in technical analysis. Whether for short-term trading or long-term investing, learning to interpret K-line charts is an essential skill for traders. This article will delve into the construction principles of K-line charts, the meanings of different patterns, and practical analysis techniques to help you make precise market judgments like a professional trader.
What is a K-line chart? The basic structure of candlestick charts
K-line charts condense market price movements over a period of time through four prices—opening price, closing price, highest price, and lowest price—and convey market sentiment and trader psychology through colors and patterns.
The composition of a K-line includes two core parts:
The K-line body refers to the rectangular area of the candlestick, which changes color based on price movement. When the closing price is higher than the opening price, the body is red, called a bullish line; when the closing price is lower than the opening price, the body is green, called a bearish line. The color definitions can vary across different markets.

The New Taiwan Dollar to Japanese Yen exchange rate has reached a new high of 4.85, reigniting travel to Japan and investment interest in the Yen. But do you know? Choosing the wrong currency exchange method can result in an additional 3-5% cost due to exchange rate spreads and fees, which is equivalent to exchanging several thousand Yen less. This article provides an in-depth analysis of the four major currency exchange channels, real-time exchange rate trends, and financial planning after exchanging Yen to help you make precise arrangements.
Why is Yen worth allocating? A three-dimensional analysis
Lifestyle application
Whether shopping in Tokyo, skiing in Hokkaido, or vacationing in Okinawa, cash transactions in Japan still account for the majority (credit card penetration is only 60%). Purchasing agents, Japanese online auctions, and students working abroad also frequently need Yen payments. For Taiwanese consumers, exchanging Yen has become a necessity.
Financial hedging characteristics
The Yen ranks among the world's three major safe-haven currencies (alongside the US Dollar and Swiss Franc). Historically, whenever there are geopolitical conflicts or market turbulence, funds tend to flow into the Yen. Taking the 2022 Russia-Ukraine war as an example, the Yen appreciated by 8% in a single week.

Basic Understanding of the US Dollar Index
In the financial markets, we often see investors discussing topics like "US dollar trend" and "US dollar index hitting new highs." But what exactly is the US Dollar Index? In simple terms, it is an indicator tool that measures the strength of the US dollar relative to major international currencies.
The US Dollar Index (ticker symbols: USDX or DXY) is essentially a weighted index that tracks the exchange rate performance of the US dollar against six major international currencies. These six currencies are:
- Euro (EUR) - weight 57.6%
- Japanese Yen (JPY) - weight 13.6%
- British Pound (GBP) - weight 11.9%
- Canadian Dollar (CAD) - weight 9.1%
- Swedish Krona (SEK) - weight 4.2%
- Swiss Franc (CHF) - weight 3.6%
As the world's primary medium of exchange and reserve currency, the US dollar index

The global financial markets are experiencing a diversified rally, with the yen's interest rate hike easing market concerns, leading to a broad stock market rebound, with technology stocks leading the gains. Precious metals hit record highs, and the USD/JPY exchange rate is rising. Federal Reserve officials have differing views on the outlook for interest rate hikes, and subdued consumer confidence data indicate economic uncertainty.

The Taiwan dollar to Japanese yen has reached 4.85, hitting a new high for the year. But did you know? Using the wrong method to exchange 100,000 TWD could cost you an extra 2,000 NT. The yen exchange has become a popular topic among Taiwanese people for traveling and hedging, and many are even starting to compare strategies with other currencies like HKD and USD to seek the best allocation.
This article will directly tell you: whether it's worth exchanging yen now, how to do it most cost-effectively, and how to keep your money growing after the exchange.
Why rush to exchange for yen?
The yen is no longer just for travel. From daily emergencies to asset allocation, it has become an essential foreign currency tool for Taiwanese people.
Daily Necessities
The Japanese cash culture remains strong. Most expenses during travel still require cash (credit card penetration is only 60%). Purchasing and online shopping for Japanese goods often require direct yen payments. For those planning to study abroad or work holiday in Japan, exchanging currency in advance can lock in the exchange rate and avoid losses from sudden fluctuations.
Asset Hedging
The yen is

Pre-market trading in the US stock market provides investors with the opportunity to react to global market changes before the official opening. Whether it’s major corporate announcements, economic data releases, or international events, these pieces of information can cause significant stock price fluctuations during the pre-market phase. For investors who want to gain an edge in the market, understanding the mechanisms, timing, and risk management methods of pre-market and after-hours trading is crucial.
What is pre-market trading in the US stock market? Why does it exist?
Pre-market trading refers to the buying and selling of stocks conducted before the official opening of major exchanges such as the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and NASDAQ. This period typically starts at 4:00 a.m. Eastern Time and continues until the official opening at 9:30 a.m.
The core purpose of establishing pre-market trading sessions is to allow investors to respond quickly to breaking news outside of normal trading hours. Since major corporate disclosures or economic data releases often occur outside regular trading hours,

The limit-up and limit-down are common phenomena in the stock market, restricting stock price fluctuations. The limit-up refers to the stock price rising to the upper limit, while the limit-down is when it falls to the lower limit. Orders can be placed during trading, but buying and selling conditions differ, so investors need to judge based on market conditions. Additionally, the reasons for limit-up and limit-down vary, including company financial reports, major player operations, and more. Understanding these mechanisms helps in formulating appropriate trading strategies.

Recently, the international gold price has experienced intense fluctuations. Under the dual pressures of a strengthening US dollar and the Federal Reserve's hawkish stance, the price per ounce once dipped below $4,000. It then quickly rebounded due to buying support, demonstrating solid market bottom support. Amid this turbulent market, central banks worldwide have not ceased their gold reserve purchases; instead, they have become a stabilizing force in the market.
Central Banks Frequently Buying Gold, Gold Reserves Hit New Highs
Goldman Sachs's latest market report indicates that the scale of global central bank gold purchases is accelerating. In September alone, central banks increased their gold reserves by a total of 64 tons, more than tripling the growth compared to the previous month, showing that official funds are speeding up. Among them, China added 15 tons in a single month, and the actions of Russia and emerging market central banks are similarly active, reflecting strategic considerations such as hedging geopolitical risks and reducing structural foreign exchange risks.
Goldman Sachs estimates that this "central bank gold buying wave" will continue, and it is expected that the fourth

December 10, 2025 Forex Market Update: The Taiwanese dollar has appreciated to 4.85 against the Japanese Yen, an overall increase of 8.7% from 4.46 at the beginning of the year. During the same period, the Taiwanese dollar against the Malaysian Ringgit is approximately 0.71, also showing a relative advantage. Facing diverse currency exchange needs, which currency should you choose and what method is most cost-effective? We have compiled a detailed comparison of four major channels to help you make the best decision in seconds.
Why has foreign currency investment become a new trend?
Driven by travel and lifestyle needs
Travel to Japan, vacations in Southeast Asia, studying abroad—going overseas has become part of daily life for Taiwanese people. Cash payments in Japan still account for up to 40% (credit card penetration is only 60%), and cross-border shopping and online purchases often require immediate currency exchange. The Malaysian Ringgit has also become an emerging option due to growth in Kuala Lumpur tourism and the convenience of e-commerce platform payments.
Hedging and asset allocation value
The Japanese Yen's three main safe-haven currencies
Japanese Yen, US Dollar, Swiss Franc

Investors should exercise caution when engaging in short selling, as the "short squeeze" phenomenon can force short sellers to cover their positions, further driving up the stock price. Short squeezes can be caused by rapid stock price rebounds or market manipulation, with typical cases including GME and Tesla. Investors should regularly monitor the short interest ratio and use technical indicators to assess risk, and if necessary, close positions early or set take-profit points to avoid significant losses.

Want to enter the stock market with a small amount of capital? Fractional share investing has become the first choice for many office workers and young people to manage their finances. This article will delve into the after-hours trading of fractional shares, trading mechanisms, cost structures, and practical tips to help you quickly master this investment tool.
What are fractional shares? Why do investors have fractional shares?
The basic unit of stock trading is one full share (1000 shares), but investors often hold fractional shares (1-999 shares) due to incomplete transactions. These fractional shares usually originate from the following situations:
- Orders not executed at the expected price
- Remainders from stock dividends and stock distributions
- Market fluctuations causing partial executions
In simple terms, fractional shares are "stock leftovers less than one full share," with each order limited to within 999 shares.
Details on after-hours trading time and trading mechanisms for fractional shares
In the past, fractional share trading was limited to after-hours, but after October 26, 2020, investors