Independent research and plain-English answers to interesting questions about finance, markets and the global economy.https://stockstory.example/https://stockstory.example/week-ahead/2026-11-09/https://stockstory.example/week-ahead/2026-11-09/Core inflation hit 0.3% again, the level that would make Fed Governor Waller consider a half-point hike on 9 December. AI earnings and $90 oil fill out the week.Sun, 08 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://stockstory.example/week-ahead/2026-10-12/https://stockstory.example/week-ahead/2026-10-12/US CPI on Wednesday is the main event, with a hot print able to revive bets on an October hike. Around it, the big banks open earnings season, ASML and TSMC report, and finance ministers and central bankers gather in Bangkok.Sun, 11 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://stockstory.example/research/yield-curve-explained/https://stockstory.example/research/yield-curve-explained/Why a simple line connecting short and long interest rates has become the most watched recession signal in finance, and why it is not a crystal ball.Mon, 28 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://stockstory.example/research/gold-and-real-yields/https://stockstory.example/research/gold-and-real-yields/For years gold moved almost tick-for-tick against inflation-adjusted bond yields. Then central banks started buying, and the relationship started to break down.Mon, 14 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://stockstory.example/research/strong-dollar-spillovers/https://stockstory.example/research/strong-dollar-spillovers/The US dollar is the world's invoicing, borrowing and reserve currency. When it strengthens, the effects ripple far beyond America's borders.Sun, 30 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://stockstory.example/questions/what-is-the-underlying-value-for-gold/https://stockstory.example/questions/what-is-the-underlying-value-for-gold/Unlike stocks or bonds, gold does not generate income, meaning its intrinsic value cannot be calculated through conventional cash flow valuation.https://stockstory.example/questions/what-determines-interest-rates/https://stockstory.example/questions/what-determines-interest-rates/Interest rates are determined by central bank monetary policy, inflation expectations, economic growth and the supply and demand for credit.https://stockstory.example/questions/how-can-a-country-increase-its-gdp-over-time/https://stockstory.example/questions/how-can-a-country-increase-its-gdp-over-time/A country can increase its GDP by expanding its productive capacity through investment in infrastructure, machinery, education, healthcare and technological innovation.https://stockstory.example/questions/is-a-budget-deficit-always-bad/https://stockstory.example/questions/is-a-budget-deficit-always-bad/No. A budget deficit occurs when government expenditure exceeds revenue over a given period.https://stockstory.example/questions/what-do-the-different-levels-of-interest-rates-tell/https://stockstory.example/questions/what-do-the-different-levels-of-interest-rates-tell/Interest rates provide information about inflation, economic growth, monetary policy and financial risk.https://stockstory.example/questions/what-is-an-etf/https://stockstory.example/questions/what-is-an-etf/An Exchange Traded Fund is an investment fund traded on a stock exchange, similar to an individual share.https://stockstory.example/questions/what-is-the-difference-between-an-etf-and-an/https://stockstory.example/questions/what-is-the-difference-between-an-etf-and-an/An index measures the performance of a defined group of securities according to specified rules.https://stockstory.example/questions/what-is-a-derivative/https://stockstory.example/questions/what-is-a-derivative/A derivative is a financial contract whose value depends on the price or performance of an underlying asset, interest rate, index or other financial variable.https://stockstory.example/questions/how-to-interpret-an-orderbook/https://stockstory.example/questions/how-to-interpret-an-orderbook/An orderbook is interpreted by examining the highest buying price, lowest selling price and the quantities available at each price.https://stockstory.example/questions/what-is-an-orderbook/https://stockstory.example/questions/what-is-an-orderbook/An orderbook is an electronic record of outstanding buy and sell orders for a financial instrument.https://stockstory.example/questions/why-cant-central-banks-simply-print-more-money-to/https://stockstory.example/questions/why-cant-central-banks-simply-print-more-money-to/Money is a medium of exchange, not wealth itself. Real wealth comes from the goods, services and productive resources available in an economy.https://stockstory.example/questions/why-do-governments-borrow-money-when-they-can-simply/https://stockstory.example/questions/why-do-governments-borrow-money-when-they-can-simply/Governments borrow to finance public expenditure without immediately imposing higher taxes on households and businesses.https://stockstory.example/questions/can-a-government-actually-go-bankrupt/https://stockstory.example/questions/can-a-government-actually-go-bankrupt/Governments can default on their financial obligations, although they generally do not enter bankruptcy in the same manner as companies.https://stockstory.example/questions/what-is-a-foreign-exchange-swap/https://stockstory.example/questions/what-is-a-foreign-exchange-swap/An FX swap is an agreement to exchange two currencies on an initial settlement date and reverse the exchange at a future date using exchange rates agreed in advance.https://stockstory.example/questions/what-is-a-yield-curve-and-why-does-an/https://stockstory.example/questions/what-is-a-yield-curve-and-why-does-an/A yield curve illustrates the relationship between bond yields and their maturities, typically using government bonds.https://stockstory.example/questions/why-is-unemployment-sometimes-considered-necessary-to-bring-inflation/https://stockstory.example/questions/why-is-unemployment-sometimes-considered-necessary-to-bring-inflation/When demand exceeds an economy's productive capacity, businesses may increase prices and compete for workers through higher wages.https://stockstory.example/questions/what-actually-determines-the-value-of-a-currency/https://stockstory.example/questions/what-actually-determines-the-value-of-a-currency/A currency's value is determined by supply and demand in foreign exchange markets.https://stockstory.example/questions/why-can-tariffs-make-the-country-imposing-them-worse/https://stockstory.example/questions/why-can-tariffs-make-the-country-imposing-them-worse/Tariffs increase the cost of imported goods, which can raise prices for domestic consumers and businesses relying on foreign inputs.https://stockstory.example/questions/what-is-a-safe-haven/https://stockstory.example/questions/what-is-a-safe-haven/A safe haven is an asset that investors expect to preserve value or provide relative stability during periods of economic or financial uncertainty.https://stockstory.example/questions/why-do-emerging-market-currencies-often-depreciate-against-the/https://stockstory.example/questions/why-do-emerging-market-currencies-often-depreciate-against-the/Emerging market currencies can face depreciation pressure because of higher inflation, economic instability, weaker institutions and dependence on foreign capital.https://stockstory.example/questions/why-do-financial-crises-spread-from-one-country-to/https://stockstory.example/questions/why-do-financial-crises-spread-from-one-country-to/Financial crises spread through interconnected banking systems, international investment, trade and investor behaviour.