Economy

Gold prices surged past $5,200 per ounce on Wednesday, marking a gain of over 1% in early trading, before retracing some of those gains as the U.S. Dollar strengthened. The initial rise followed a period of significant volatility in recent months, attracting substantial investor interest in gold futures contracts.

The price fluctuation comes amid technical challenges experienced by the CME Group, which temporarily halted trading in metals and natural gas futures and options on Wednesday due to unspecified technical issues. This disruption occurred as gold was approaching key resistance levels, according to technical analysts at MZZWaveCapital, who suggest potential scenarios involving either the completion of a major wave pattern or the continuation of an extended upward trend.

Trading in gold is heavily influenced by the performance of the U.S. Dollar, with an inverse relationship typically observed. A stronger dollar tends to depress gold prices, while a weaker dollar often supports them. The XAU/USD pair, measuring the value of one ounce of gold against the U.S. Dollar, is a key indicator for traders. The demand for gold as a safe-haven asset also plays a crucial role, particularly during times of economic uncertainty.

Gold is traded on major global exchanges including the New York Mercantile Exchange (COMEX), the Hong Kong Exchange, the Tokyo Exchange, the Zurich Exchange, and the Sydney Exchange. However, the London bullion market remains the most influential, setting benchmark prices twice daily through the London Bullion Market Association.

The volatility in gold prices has made trading gold futures a popular option for investors and traders. These contracts involve a pre-arranged agreement to buy gold at a future date and a specified price, offering transparency, flexibility, and efficiency compared to holding physical gold. Countries with significant gold production, such as Canada, Australia, and South Africa, often see their currencies benefit from rising gold prices.

As of Wednesday, the technical analysis suggests a current reading for gold around $5173, with the Relative Strength Index (RSI) hovering between 55 and 60, indicating a lack of overbuying but a slowing momentum. The market remains sensitive to shifts in the dollar’s value and global economic conditions.

Tigress Financial Partners raised its price target for Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT) to $150 per share on February 24, 2026, citing the retailer’s increasing adoption of artificial intelligence and automation technologies. The firm maintains a ‘Buy’ rating on the stock, according to a report from Investing.com.

The revised price target represents an increase from a previously undisclosed level, reflecting Tigress Financial’s growing confidence in Walmart’s ability to leverage AI to enhance customer experience and accelerate revenue growth. This assessment aligns with a broader trend of analysts recognizing the potential of Walmart’s technological advancements, as highlighted by a January 31, 2026 report from Yahoo Finance.

On January 23, Tigress Financial had initially increased its price target to $135 from $130, also maintaining its ‘Buy’ rating. The firm’s optimism extends beyond AI, encompassing Walmart’s strategic expansion of digital and pharmacy-based healthcare services. Walmart recently promoted approximately 3,000 pharmacy technician roles to operations team lead positions on January 28, increasing average hourly pay from $22 to $28, with potential earnings reaching $40.50 per hour. This move aims to bolster staffing levels and strengthen pharmacy teams across Walmart’s roughly 4,600 locations as the company introduces new digital health offerings, including Better Care Services and access to Eli Lilly’s LillyDirect program.

Walmart’s positive outlook is further supported by its revised full-year forecast, which was raised for the second time in November following a strong quarterly performance driven by increased online sales. Faster delivery options have contributed to attracting a wider range of customers, including higher-income shoppers, bolstering the company’s digital business momentum.

Tigress Financial Partners is notable as the nation’s only disabled and woman-owned financial services firm, having recently entered a strategic partnership with Roemer Capital in December 2024. This investment brought cash, infrastructure, and global products to Tigress, with Roemer Capital’s Non-Executive Chairman, Dr. Roman Lokhov, joining Tigress’ Board of Directors.

In a separate analyst action, Tigress Financial maintained its ‘Buy’ rating and increased its price target to $125 from $120 on September 3, 2025, following Walmart’s strong second-quarter results, according to MSN.

From March 1st, Poland’s approximately 9.6 million pensioners and beneficiaries of disability pensions will see an increase in their monthly payments following a 5.3% indexation of benefits, according to announcements from the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS).

The lowest possible statutory pension will rise to 1,978.49 złoty gross, an increase designed to mitigate the impact of ongoing economic pressures on retirees. The indexation, described as “historical” by government officials, is based on real wage growth and consumer price inflation data from the preceding year.

ZUS President, Professor Gertruda Uścińska, recently stated that an increase in mortality rates during the epidemic period had influenced the calculation of pension amounts. While the precise nature of this influence wasn’t detailed, it suggests a demographic factor was considered alongside traditional economic indicators in determining the indexation rate.

The Ministry of Family announced the decision regarding the indexation, confirming the 5.3% increase will apply to both pensions and disability benefits. ZUS has begun processing the updated payments, with some beneficiaries already receiving their increased benefits in a double payment in February, due to scheduling adjustments.

The indexation process is intended to maintain the purchasing power of pensioners, ensuring their income keeps pace with the rising cost of living. The scale of the increase reflects the government’s commitment to supporting senior citizens, a key demographic in Poland’s evolving social landscape.

Further details regarding individual pension adjustments are available through ZUS channels, allowing beneficiaries to ascertain the exact amount of their increase. ZUS has not yet commented on the long-term financial implications of the indexation or potential adjustments to future benefit calculations.