#trader Johan

[ziggityzigg]

I haven’t seen any Rider - Villain role swaps on Httyd lately, figured i do it myself!

Hiccup - Drago

Astrid - Dagur (possibly?)

Snotlout - Eret

Fishlegs - Johann

Tuffnut - Honestly don’t know.

Ruffnut - Grimmel

These were meant with experience of the villain.

Fishlegs might be wrong, idk, I couldn’t think of anything.

[theblackdragon-studios]

I’m rewatching Dragons: Riders-Defenders of Berk/Race to the Edge (the tv to streaming series for How to Train Your Dragon) and knowing the twist with Trader Johann in Race to the Edge, I really wouldn’t be surprised if it happened because of the way he was treated by the Berkians.

The show’s been over for years now, but if anyone wants to watch it online somewhere and doesn’t want spoilers, don’t read under the cut.

(This is him, by the way. For those that are curious or don’t know)

The twist I refer to is Johann being revealed as a twist villain. The events of Riders/Defenders of Berk don’t support this twist at all if he was already one, except maybe the episode “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes” where a bunch of Smothering Smokebreath dragons get onto Berk through Johann carrying scrap metal from their home habitat which the Berkians trade for.

But that was only one event that could have supported him being a villain the whole time. But I don’t think he was, because I learned a bit ago that Race to the Edge was meant to end on the episode where Viggo jumps into the volcano to get his hands on the Dragon Eye (a tool in that series that they use to learn more about dragons from previously documented study by who invented the thing, and which the villains want so they can track down the location of the King of Dragons: the Bewilderbeast)

Viggo was meant to be the Big Bad and that was meant to be his final moments. But the show was so popular with fans they kept it going even after that, having Viggo survive and later have a redemption ending in death cliche happen to him. (Don’t get me wrong, loved the redemption. But killing off the character right after his redemption is so lazy…it only made sense here because Viggo would have been too powerful an ally to the Riders if he had lived. The show would have ended way too easily.)

Anyway, after that, Johann was revealed to be working with the villains and that brings me back to my point. Trader Johan being a villain was such a strange twist. Not anger-inducing or shocking…just strange. It seemed like something they just wrote in last-minute. Which they most likely did.

That aside…as I was saying, I really don’t blame him for turning sides though. The way the Riders treated him in the earlier episodes, he was perfectly justified to switch alliances. lol I say this as a joke, but I’m also serious. Maybe if they were nicer to him he would have remained loyal to them.

Think about it: The man spends most of his time on a boat alone at sea, no one to talk to. He stops at markets to get more goods to trade for, but most of his time is spent slowly sailing from island to island since he never took up dragon riding. Every time he came to Berk, most of the kids then proceed to be nuisances and pests. The adults are more respectful, yes, but they weren’t big on chatting and were straight to the point.

So yeah, I don’t blame Johann for joining the villains (that’s how I see it. Him having been one all along is just too farfetched from a narrative standpoint and a planning one. You have to give more hints than they do for it to be believed as being planned all along.) The riders didn’t do anything (except for Hiccup) to make him think dragon riding is better or more profitable.

Though if he had warmed to it, I could see a scauldron being a good sea companion for him. It could pull his boat along much faster if he likes that more, and it would be good protection from other ocean dragons.

…this just turned into a “random thoughts about Trader Johann” post. lol I’ll stop here, but I might come back to this last point about the scauldron…

[jackshiccup]

i think everyone should watch riders of berk

[countlessofvoids]

The art of the httyd comics is something else. I'm currently losing it over this panel from The Serpent's Heir

Snotlout's going :3 while everyone else is on demon time

[youknowwhoyouaremeep]

Me making a self insert au every time I get into a new fandom: me and my friends :D we are doing things :D

[triumphantfury]

Hi!!! Just dropping by because I was missing your fics so I reread them and now I have to tell you how much I love you. I love you a lot, by the way. Like literally every time I read a chapter of yours I love you more because GAH the writing is so damn good. Ahem anyways thank you so much for the update on Wrapped in Red and I still have to fan myself every time I look at Upside, but I've been thinking the most about "To Suffer a Witch." I don't mean to put any pressure on you or anything but may I inquire on the next chapter's status? Or perhaps just request a snippet? Also when you asked the readers whether or not they'd like an eventual lemon I'd like to vote yes to the lemon. Please. Possibly-Demon Hiccup is hot as hell and I'm greedy. 😅

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful writing with us and I hope you have a wonderful day, week, and at least a virtual cabin in the woods where you can relax, read, and at least think on writing!

Oh boy….

It’s taken me forever to get around to answering this ask, but as the new chapter update is almost complete (after way, WAY too many rewrites), I feel like I can finally post this reply with some measure of confidence. Sorry it’s taken so long. I wish I had a good excuse, but my brain sometimes just shuts me out.

Anyway, after much anticipation, and likely a little cursing, here’s an excerpt from the soon to be posted next chapter of TSaW:

*The next couple days seemed to drag by for Astrid. She felt trapped between a longing to see Hiccup again just to prove she wasn’t mad, and a strong urge to just write it all off as a delusion. Perhaps one brought on by some bad grain or curdled milk. Countless times she’d been sure she heard hoofbeats outside, only to have them grow into a roll of thunder the next second. Or she’d catch a glimpse of a dark shadow approaching on the road, only to have it melt from her sight a moment later as if swept away by the driving rain.

Some small part of her was starting to worry she was actually going mad. Her mood darkening as she channeled her other feelings into straight anger so as to help herself deal with it better. It wasn’t as if she could really speak of it to anyone, anyway. She was still too confused about it herself.

Resigned to bear this burden alone, Astrid had kept to herself as much as possible while trapped inside. Waiting impatiently for a break in the weather when she could distract herself with repairs outside instead. The Lord knows there was always plenty of work to keep her busy. That, and manual labour was better than wasting time dwelling on… Whatever it was that had occurred here the other night.

Fortunately - or maybe unfortunately - she’d soon discovered that the storm hadn’t done anywhere near as much damage as she’d expected given its ferocity. The house, shed, and barn had all weathered fair enough at least. An old tree had toppled near the back of the pasture though. She’d gone out to repair the section of broken fencing yesterday. Her brothers helping her as much as she would allow them to - which mostly meant keeping the opportunistic goats from escaping through the hole while she worked.

It had been while she was winding the last of the rope around the newly set post that Ruffnut had approached her from across the field. Somehow always keyed in to the local to-dos, Tuffnut had heard from one of their other neighbours that some people had started to fall ill in town. The worst of which was little Argh — Mr. and Mrs. Ack’s youngest son, who was not yet a full year into this world.

“Gunnar thinks it’s because of those witches that Trader Johan was talking about the other day,” Ruff stage-whispered over the fence. Her thumb gesturing towards the home on the far side of Mildew’s plot as she glanced around, as if to make sure no one else was within earshot.

“I’d be rather foolish to agree,” Astrid huffed. “It’s likely just been brought on by the rain. We all know that a chill in the air today sets a chill in the bones tomorrow.” Looking away from her gossipy neighbour, she dressed the knot as her father had taught her before pulling it good and tight. Then she stood and gave her work a proud once over. Nodding, as if to show her approval to the craftsman.

“Maybe…” Ruffnut’s hesitant reply trailed off thoughtfully, and she was chewing on her lip when Astrid at last looked her way again. It was almost as if she had something she wanted to say, but wasn’t sure if she should speak it aloud.

“Go on,” Astrid grumbled. “Whatever it is, spit it out.”

“Well, Gunnar told Tuff that Trader Johan said the evil, or what ever it is, would arrive first in the form of a black shadow on horse back…”

“Trader Johan has always enjoyed adding plenty of dramatic nonsense about ghosties, ghoulies, and other such things to his tales,” Astrid felt the need to point out. “He seems to think it makes the stories more exciting.”

“I know,” Ruff agreed. “Thing is, Tuffnut swears he saw a stranger dressed in all black when he was out in the woods yesterday. A stranger riding atop a huge black horse. When he tried to get a better look, man and horse were already gone. Maybe the horse was just really fast, but… Tuff said it gave him the creeps.” Her eyes were shifting all around again as she leaned closer over the fence, and she looked unexpectedly nervous.

“Oh, that was probably just…” Astrid’s words died on the way to her mouth as she thought better of it.

Astrid knew how Tuff felt. The unease of not being sure exactly what you had just born witness too. This did not mean that she should necessarily encourage him to repeat his tale. Especially when she didn’t yet know what to think of the whole thing.

Would it truly be wise to mention it to someone else? The twins had never been known for their discretion, and Astrid’s words would simply confirm Tuff’s suspicions — which he would then feel required to share with every person he came across. At best, it could cause a slight scandal that a young man had spent the night in their home. At worst, the superstitious townsfolk may think the Hofferson clan had entertained something entirely inhuman, instead.

No, it was best to keep what she knew of Hiccup Haddock to herself for now. Surely the others would learn of him soon enough. “Just… because Tuff was busy snacking on unknown mushrooms in the forest again.” Astrid finished awkwardly. Covering her near slip-up with an eye roll, just to be safe, and hoping Ruffnut wouldn’t notice.*

If anyone wants to read it, here’s a link to the rest of the story. Or at least the beginning…lol

[slutforrogertaylorandothers]

In regards to the new HTTYD live action remake. The characters are Vikings who were Scandinavian therefore White. Astrid is blonde, blue eyes & based off of Camicazi who is a blonde, blue eyed white person. I'm all for representation so dontt start with the "oh you're so racist" bullsh!t coz I love the Little Mermaid live action. However, they're taking away historic white people. For example, we wouldnt change Martin Luther King to a white person or change Cho Chang into a non Asian character (although we might change the name to a less stereotypical one) so why are people doing this for people who are white? Especially blond(e), blue eyed folk! The only thing I would change about the Little Mermaid remake is that I would make Ariel's hair redder! If film companies really want to add representation then add a brand mew character! For example, have a remake only family in Berk that is not white & say they moved there! That way you have the representation & you're sticking to the source material! Trader Johan could be a POC as he always seemed like he came from a far away land. Drago Bloodfist was voiced by a black person so he could be cast as not white - Heather and Dagger also come to mind. Snotlout could be mix raced because we never see his mother so who knows? Hiccup could be mix raced as well as - from what I remember - Valka wasnt from Berk either.

[secretkittywolf]

S2 Ep3 of Race to the Edge: Edge of Disaster Part 1 is another episode I cannot stand because how they wrote Astrid.

The episode is about Astrid, Ruffnut & Tuffnut left to guard to Edge whilst Hiccup, Snotlout & Fishlegs go and help Trader Johan and let me tell you, Astrid's behaviour was awful. They wrote her to be quite mean and nasty, not caring about the twins's ideas or even acknowledge them helping her out. Even when Ruffnut has a go at her (best scene of the episode btw) she STILL didn't learn her lesson because after that she still is treating the twins, Snotlout & Fishlegs badly. It's like she only cares about herself, Hiccup, Heather and Stormfly whilst the other riders are nothing.

Even the whole Trader Johan part was a bore in both parts. She did sort of redeem herself in part 2, but like I said it's completely forgotten in later episodes.

I just wish they didn't do Astrid so poorly and make her seem stuck-up.

[starseedfxofficial]

WTI Crude Rises, Gold Dips: Hidden Market Patterns Revealed Gold’s Red Flare? Or Just a Midweek Tantrum? Before we get to the juice of today’s trading shenanigans, let's set the record straight. Not all news is made equal, and in a market this fickle, some news simply doesn't move the needle—just like when you realize those “huge” Black Friday discounts were only on the leftovers nobody wanted anyway. But hidden amidst the noise, there are often tiny patterns that drive the market—you just need to know where to look. So, let’s uncover some hidden gems in today's updates. WTI & Brent Crude Oil: Putin, Trump, and A Market That Couldn’t Care Less In today’s intriguing-but-didn't-quite-matter section, we heard that President Putin is apparently open to discussing a ceasefire with President-elect Trump. Sounds like a big headline, right? Except, for the markets, this was a snooze-fest. WTI and Brent climbed early in European trade, but quickly shrugged and edged back—kind of like when you put effort into a workout but end up ordering pizza right after. Here's where the advanced insight comes in. When geopolitical news hits the scene, the traders in the know understand that it’s often the follow-up, not the initial announcement, that carries market weight. If you're positioning yourself based on these headlines, it's a matter of patience. Today's jump? That’s nothing more than a reflex. The real movement—if it’s coming—will emerge when concrete actions back up those political niceties. For now, just keep your eyes peeled on inventory data (more on that later). Gold Dips but Still Shines Bright Gold’s taking a tiny dive today, but it’s still comfortably above Tuesday’s USD 2610/oz base. Let’s put it this way: it’s like realizing you’ve still got a decent amount in your account after an expensive weekend—a dip, sure, but not a disaster. It's a classic case of gold doing what gold does best—providing that comfort level where, even on a “down” day, things aren't all that bad. From an advanced trading perspective, it’s moments like these where traders are in a sweet spot for laddering in buys if they’re eyeing longer-term stability. Most traders overreact when they see red, but gold’s dip is well within its usual pattern. A savvy trader sees opportunity—not panic—when the floor is well above previous critical levels. Copper and the Risk Sentiment Rollercoaster Copper's up too, but let’s not throw a party just yet—it's a modest gain, mainly fueled by a broader rebound in risk sentiment. Think of copper as the thermometer for market optimism; today, it's saying, "Hey, things could be worse." It's bobbing within a USD 9.12-9.17k band, which means traders are still waiting for a solid signal to move with conviction. Now, here’s a nugget for the smarter trader: copper's resilience might be an early whisper that industrial activity is on an uptick, albeit not dramatically. This often sets the stage for positioning yourself well ahead of the herd in other correlated commodities. Remember, those who read between the lines get in ahead of the headlines. Gas Storage Charges: A Tiny Shockwave Coming Your Way Trading Hub Europe casually dropped the news that the gas storage neutrality charge from January 2025 will be EUR 2.99/MWh. Sounds boring? Maybe, but here’s why it matters. Storage charges directly affect supply-side decisions, and small shifts can snowball into larger implications for natural gas prices, particularly in the colder months. Hidden opportunity: watch how forward contracts adjust over the next few weeks. Charges might seem inconsequential now, but experienced traders know these set the stage for winter volatility. It’s all about getting in while the getting’s lukewarm. Equinor's Sverdrup Oilfield: Steady and Smooth, But Watch for the Next Jolt Equinor's Johan Sverdrup oilfield is back online after a power outage. It’s pumping 775k barrels per day—which is about the same as your daily caffeine intake if you’re a news junkie keeping up with everything. The takeaway here? Stability. No significant ripples today, but keep an eye out for reports on whether production stays smooth. These subtle markers can predict when WTI might go volatile if outages become a pattern. Private Inventory Data: When Too Much Oil Isn’t Always a Good Thing Today’s private inventory data surprised a bit: crude was up a whopping +4.8 million barrels against expectations of a meager +0.1 million. Meanwhile, gasoline inventories fell significantly by -2.5 million barrels, which might explain why your gas pump visits have felt even more like mini mortgages recently. Distillates also showed a draw, but nothing major. For the advanced trader, this is where the contrarian play might make sense. Too much crude and too little gasoline is an odd imbalance that can create interesting arbitrage opportunities in refining stocks or related energy derivatives. Classic misalignments like these are often where fortunes are made by those sharp enough to connect the dots. How to Ride Today’s Market Moves Like a Pro Okay, so we’ve got geopolitical news that isn’t quite living up to the hype, metals that are playing it coy, and some significant inventory swings. What's the takeaway? Simple: - Be Patient: Not every headline will be a game-changer, but some are precursors. Learn to see the sequence. - Read Between the Lines: Commodities are about relationships—between supply, demand, sentiment, and seasonality. Today’s gas storage charge may just be a number, but it’s what that number will mean for winter that matters. - Look for Misalignments: Crude and gasoline numbers are off-balance, creating a potential opportunity for refined products. Traders miss these details, and that’s where your edge lies. And remember, no trading blunder is worse than diving in without a plan. If you’re tired of getting blindsided, maybe it’s time to check out StarseedFX's free trading plan or trading journal—because smart trading is planned trading. To keep you on top of the market game, don’t forget to join our community for exclusive insights and next-level tactics you simply won’t find elsewhere. Because, let’s face it, the edge you need is often buried under a mountain of headline clutter, and it’s all about knowing where to dig. —————– Image Credits: Cover image at the top is AI-generated   Read the full article

[httydtroublemaker]

Trader Johan

Traitor Johan

BigNose Johan

[palmoilnews]

VEGOILS-Palm rises, tracking Chicago soyoil; market eyes key export data KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 19 (Reuters) - Malaysian palm oil futures rose on Tuesday, supported by gains in Chicago soyoil, while traders awaited export data from cargo surveyors. The benchmark palm oil contract FCPOc3 for February delivery on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange was up 40 ringgit, or 0.82%, at 4,939 ringgit ($1,104.92) a metric ton in early trade. It fell 3.71% in the previous session. FUNDAMENTALS Dalian's most-active soyoil contract DBYcv1 fell 0.36%, while its palm oil contract DCPcv1 shed 0.46%. Soyoil prices on the Chicago Board of Trade BOcv1 were up 0.13%. Palm oil tracks the price movements of rival edible oils, as they compete for a share of the global vegetable oils market. Cargo surveyors are expected to release their estimates for Malaysian palm oil exports for the Nov. 1-20 period on Wednesday. Oil prices retreated after the previous day's rally, driven by stalled production at Norway's Johan Sverdrup oilfield, but investors remained cautious amid fears of a potential escalation in the Russia-Ukraine war. Weaker crude oil futures make palm a less attractive option for biodiesel feedstock. The ringgit MYR=, palm's currency of trade, strengthened 0.2% against the dollar, making the commodity more expensive for buyers holding foreign currencies. Palm oil prices are expected to remain above 4,750 ringgit in November, supported by export supply uncertainties and rising soft oil prices, the Malaysian Palm Oil Council said. Palm oil may break support at 4,816 ringgit per metric ton and fall towards 4,732 ringgit, Reuters technical analyst Wang Tao said. MARKET NEWS Asian stocks rose while U.S. bond yields and the dollar hung back from multi-month highs as traders awaited President-elect Donald Trump's cabinet selection and sought to gauge the outlook for Federal Reserve easing. ($1 = 4.4700 ringgit)

[ulkaralakbarova]

The Hummingbird Project

A pair of high-frequency traders go up against their old boss in an effort to make millions in a fiber-optic cable deal. Credits: TheMovieDb. Film Cast: Vincent Zaleski: Jesse Eisenberg Anton Zaleski: Alexander Skarsgård Eva Torres: Salma Hayek Pinault Mark Vega: Michael Mando Amish Elder: Johan Heldenbergh Ophelia Troller: Ayisha Issa Barbara Lehman (as Tiio Horn): Kaniehtiio Horn Tasso…

[nbmsports]

Russia's crude price exceeds G7 price cap as market braces for supply crunch

View of Russian oil port Novorossiysk.Алексей Облов | Moment | Getty ImagesSpot prices of Russia's crude oil this week surpassed the $60-per-barrel threshold of the Group of Seven's oil price cap scheme, as Moscow and Riyadh tighten supplies.The G7 introduced its oil price cap mechanism on Dec. 5 to retain Russian flows in the market while also limiting revenue for the Kremlin's war coffers.EU imports of Moscow's crude were banned that same month. Under the G7 scheme, Western shipping and insurance providers can offer services to non-G7 buyers of Russian crude if the crude oil is acquired at a price below $60 per barrel.Prices for Russia's main export crude — the heavy-sulfur, "sour" Urals that loads from the Primorsk, Ust-Luga and Novorossiysk ports — this week exceeded that threshold for the first time since the price cap mechanism was implemented.Spot assessments from commodities pricing agency Argus show that Urals prices on July 12 reached $60.18 and $60.78 per barrel for Primorsk and Novorossiysk-loaded cargoes, respectively. S&P Global Platts meanwhile valued Primorsk cargoes at $60.32 per barrel on July 11 and Novorossiysk Urals crude at $60.26 per barrel on July 12.Several crude oil traders — who spoke to CNBC anonymously because of contractual restrictions — attributed the spot Urals price increase to underlying hikes in global oil prices, as Ice Brent futures with September expiry settled above $80 per barrel on July 12. The latest Thursday disruptions in Libya have sustained this level.  The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and the International Energy Agency forecast surging demand in the second half of the year.On supply, some members of the OPEC+ group — comprising OPEC and its allies — are implementing 1.66 million barrels per day of voluntary production cuts until the end of 2024. Crowning this, Saudi Arabia announced an extra unilateral decline of 1 million barrels per day in July and August, while Russia committed to cut exports by an additional 500,000 barrels per day next month."With less supply from OPEC+ during the demand-heavy summer months, we expect larger oil inventory declines to become visible and support oil prices," UBS Strategist Giovanni Staunovo said in a Thursday note.Urals values also rose as "an ongoing impasse between Turkey and Iraq, blocking some 450,000 b/d of sour Kurdish crude flow via Ceyhan is supporting sour crude values," S&P Global Commodity Insights told CNBC by email.Lower U.S. inflation has lightened some of the macroeconomic concerns that have been weighing on the crude complex over the year."The US Fed may now be able to scale back its program of interest rate hikes, even if they're still likely to proceed with a hike in July. That has already begun to weigh on the US dollar while at the same time allowing a rally in equities. Finally, we had some pretty chunky Chinese commodity import data today for June, not least strong crude imports," Argus Chief Economist David Fyfe said by email.

Quality over quantity

Sour crude demand has itself surged, with dwindling refinery stocks no longer cushioning the impact of lower output, one trader told CNBC. Prices for Urals crude alternatives available, such as Norway's Johan Sverdrup and Libyan Es Sider, have spiked as a result, other traders said."Most Russian crude is at the heavier end of the spectrum, similar to a lot of Middle Eastern oil. Since a lot of Asian oil refineries were built to use higher density 'heavy' Middle Eastern material, and that is now in shorter supply because of OPEC, Russian crude has become more valuable to buyers in India, China and the rest of Asia," said Argus Global Head of Editorial Neil Fleming.A one-time breach above $60 per barrel for Russian crude prices might not prompt changes to the scheme price ceiling, two traders said, as G7 regulators will likely wait to see if a trend coalesces. One suggested it could push Washington to consider another crude release from strategic petroleum reserves (SPR) to mitigate price hikes, though currently low U.S. inflation might deprioritize that."The G7 notionally reviews the price cap every two months, with the IEA asked to provide an assessment of Russian export levels and revenues," Fyfe said, adding that the bloc had so far been loathe to "upset the dynamic" of leaving Russian crude available while narrowing Russian revenues.Two traders said that the hike above $60 per barrel would largely impact shipping and insurance arrangements from the so-called "grey" fleet — oil tankers, including Russian-bought vessels, that transport Russian crude bought within the confines of the G7 scheme. Another delivery alternative, they said, is the "dark" fleet — vessels that take Russian crude without investigating its purchase price and sometimes shut off their devices that emit position signals during delivery.   Russian crude and refined oil exports are already under pressure, the International Energy Agency estimated in its latest report Thursday, losing 600,000 barrels per day in June. Moscow's export revenues sank by $1.5 billion to $11.8 billion last month, halving from the same period of last year, the IEA found.Some Russian crude transport is unlikely to be impeded. Supply heading to key buyer India is largely insured by non-Western providers and overwhelmingly carried on Russia's own fleet, says Kpler Lead Crude Analyst Viktor Katona."In case some Indian buyers become wary of transactional risks, the most likely change this is going to bring about is a change in currency. Up until now, most payments were made still in dollars, could be switched to UAE dirhams for instance (yuan would be the politically less palatable option for Indian refiners even if it, too, would provide some sort of stability)," he told CNBC. Source link Read the full article

[little-bullheaded-shit]

Ngl Trader Johan was one of my favorite characters The How to train your dragon series introduced, every appearance was a delight and 14 year old me would have been absolutely devastated at the twist.

Buuut we got Dagur so that's a fair trade.

[foulfirerebel]

Seriously. Some of the better character development, stories, and characters come from the shows. Specifically, Riders of Berk, Defenders of Berk, and Race to the Edge.

Forewarning on the last one, there is apparently antisemitism there. For more on that, you can see @athingofvikings and/or search up Trader Johann and antisemitism. It's a spoiler, but may help.

Here's one such post pointing things out. Still recommending the series, but just something to note.

Here's another. Also, I did end up watching The Nine Realms? Actually do like some of the characters there (D'Angelo, Alex, Jun) and some of the dragons too (Feathers, Wu and Wei, etc.) but like...it's not without its problems either.

It's a fun series and a lot better than it has any right to be. But still has flaws like anything else. Not enough to put me personally off of recommending them (except maybe The Nine Realms), but still.

People who like HTTYD and don't watch the shows make me so sad, like, you're missing out on so much bestie

[starseedfxofficial]

Oil Slips as Russia Makes Nuclear Threat: Golden Opportunities? WTI Crude & Precious Metals Get Shaken by Russian Rhetoric: What's Next for Traders? Ever feel like the markets have more mood swings than your teenager? One moment WTI and Brent are hanging out, sipping their espressos at moderate losses, the next—BAM—Russia decides to remind the world they still have nuclear weapons. Yep, that's the kind of day we had in the European session. Oil took a dive, and the markets looked like they were collectively holding their breath. Let’s untangle it all and see where the hidden opportunities lie. Russia's Scare Tactics: The Geopolitical Whack-a-Mole Russia's statement about "reserving the right to use nuclear weapons" certainly hit like an unplanned margin call, putting immediate pressure on WTI and Brent prices. Brent futures for Jan 25 ended up scraping the bottom end of their range at around $72.72-$73.53 per barrel. Ouch. It's moments like this where market fundamentals throw their hands up, and the more volatile players—aka geopolitical fears—take control. If you’re thinking, "I just want my supply and demand curves back!", you’re not alone. But here’s where the real magic happens—understanding the reactionary nature of oil traders can give you a leg up. The thing about threats like these is that they tend to send knee-jerk reactions across markets. Oil dives. Investors get scared. And then… the dust settles, reality kicks back in, and prices often correct. Think of it like when your neighbor’s dog barks at a squirrel—lots of noise, little action. Equinor’s Restart & Supply Game: More Twists Than a Soap Opera On the supply side, there was a bit of positive news as Equinor's Johan Sverdrup oilfield production came back online. Though, before you start popping champagne, it’s worth noting production is still only running at two-thirds of normal capacity—so the cork is still half in. This means supply tightness is likely to continue in the short term, and with Russia’s "colorful" commentary keeping risk premium high, oil traders might want to pay attention to this combo of fear and uncertainty. Uncertainty? Yes. Opportunity? Even more so. The real takeaway? Production is on the up, but slower than expected—so keep an eye on these supply rebounds, as they tend to bring the market's heartbeat down a notch. If you're holding long positions in oil, patience (and a strong coffee) might be needed for the short term, as geopolitical noise keeps us guessing. Gold Glows in the Dark: Safe Haven or the Shiny Band-Aid? Moving on to our glittering friend, gold (XAU). Let’s face it, gold is like that trusty backup plan—reliable, always there for you when things get tough, and a bit overhyped at times. With the Kremlin’s nuclear saber-rattling, it was no surprise to see gold catching a bid and moving north. When everything else feels like a gamble, traders grab for gold like it’s the last cookie in the jar. But let’s talk nuance here: the reason gold’s appeal remains rock solid is its safe-haven status during geopolitical tensions. The psychology here is quite simple—when the world feels uncertain, people want to buy something they can, well, hold. And given the current geopolitical tension, having some exposure to XAU might be just the right hedge—think of it as your personal safety net when the oil seesaws seem unending. Base Metals: Shiny Start, Sudden Dip Base metals started the session in a bright green thanks to overnight positivity and some optimistic promises from Chinese officials about boosting support. It was almost as if Santa arrived early. But that good mood quickly sobered up with the Kremlin's announcement. It’s like telling a great joke at a party, only for the host to suddenly announce that the punch bowl's been spiked… with nuclear threats. Not the vibe anyone wanted. If you’re looking at aluminum, lead, or zinc, there’s still something to note: the supply story continues to be important. Chinese output data shows declining production in zinc and lead, which means tightening supply. Keep this in your back pocket. When supply gets squeezed, there’s often room for traders to take advantage. The Lowdown on EU Inflation: Staying on the Tightrope On a slightly more predictable note, EU inflation figures came in pretty much as expected—HICP showing a 0.3% month-on-month climb for October. These numbers are consistent and certainly less exciting than Russia's antics, but in a trader’s world, stable inflation is the kind of boring we like. It means fewer surprises from the European Central Bank, which translates into slightly more predictable market movements. And who doesn’t love a little predictability when everything else feels like a roller coaster? For those trying to gauge the next big move in the forex market, don’t overlook inflation numbers like these. A stable inflation print is the forex market's equivalent of clear skies—not exactly thrilling, but it means smoother sailing, and perhaps a gentle tailwind for the euro. Spotting the Opportunities Amid Chaos: A Trader’s Takeaway Alright, enough of the doom and gloom—let’s talk hidden gems. These current market conditions offer a unique chance to flex those contrarian trading muscles. When geopolitical tensions spook the markets, there's an opportunity to spot oversold assets—especially in crude. Keep a watchful eye on how quickly Brent prices snap back once the Russia headlines simmer down. Remember: panic creates mispricings, and mispricings create potential profits. Also, don't ignore China's continued support pledges and the data on lower base metal production. With China stepping up, there could be some mid-term strength in industrial metals that’s not yet fully appreciated by the markets. Going long on zinc or aluminum, anyone? In times like these, being nimble is key—understanding that every big headline might move the markets in irrational ways gives you an edge over those who just follow the herd. Dive into the details, tune out the noise, and remember: even in chaos, there’s a clear path if you look closely enough. Hold Steady, Trade Wisely Geopolitics are unsettling, but they’re also the fuel for unique trading opportunities. While others see fear, the savvy trader spots opportunities to go against the current—just like finding a quiet spot when everyone is rushing to the lifeboats. Keep your focus, consider adding safe-haven assets like gold as insurance, and stay patient on oil until the dust settles. Until next time, stay sharp, stay informed, and remember: sometimes the best moves are the ones everyone else is too scared to take. —————– Image Credits: Cover image at the top is AI-generated   Read the full article