Want to trade US stock futures but don't know where to start? Don't worry, this comprehensive guide covers all the key information you need to know.
What exactly are US stock futures?
The core concept of US stock futures is actually quite simple — it is a contract that commits to buying or selling a basket of US stocks at a specific price at a future date.
For example, take oil futures: buying a three-month oil futures contract at $80 means you commit to purchasing a certain amount of oil at that price in three months. If the oil price rises to $90, your contract becomes more valuable.
The same applies to US stock futures, but instead of a single commodity, it involves a basket of stocks based on a stock index. For example, buying Nasdaq 100 futures (symbol MNQ) is essentially trading the combined value of 100 tech stocks:
Index points × Multiplier (USD) = Nominal value of the stock portfolio
At 128

This week, the United States will release important economic data, including the non-farm payroll report, leading to increased market volatility. The US dollar is strong due to safe-haven capital inflows, but conflicting statements from Federal Reserve officials make future policy directions difficult to predict. Although the European Central Bank Vice President is optimistic about inflation trends, he warns of potential risks. The EUR/USD technical outlook shows downward pressure, with a key support level at 1.1550, which will influence the future trend.

Public companies often return profits to shareholders in the form of dividends, mainly through cash dividends and stock dividends. Cash dividends provide immediate cash but require sufficient earnings; stock dividends increase the number of shares held and offer tax advantages but may dilute EPS. The dividend distribution process includes announcement, registration, ex-dividend and ex-rights date, and payout date. The ex-dividend and ex-rights date will affect the stock price, and investors should choose the appropriate method based on the company's development and personal needs.

Wang Hui phenomenon reappears, can "Old Huang" save the market this time with just a word?
After the news that NVIDIA's stock price surged over 6% after hours, TSMC's ADR also rose accordingly, and the Taiwan stock market opened today with great momentum. TSMC reached 1460 yuan in early trading, an increase of nearly 4.7%, not only leading the market rebound but also exciting investors who shouted, "Old Huang alone saves the whole village."
This rapid rise of TSMC is directly driven by NVIDIA's better-than-expected quarterly earnings report. According to analysts, NVIDIA's quarterly results indeed gave the market a strong boost, sparking a reevaluation of the AI industry in the short term. However, it is worth noting that TSMC previously experienced continuous adjustments by foreign investors, causing its stock price to briefly fall below the 1465 yuan monthly line, and the chip distribution remains relatively scattered.
Can TSMC hold steady? The key depends on whether NVIDIA can "relay" the momentum
Industry insiders analyze that the sustainability of TSMC's rebound will depend on NVIDIA's subsequent stock performance. If NVIDIA's

The silver market is experiencing a rare strong performance in 2025. As of mid-December, silver prices have risen to a new high of over $61 per ounce, with a cumulative increase of 110% since the beginning of the year, far surpassing gold's 60% gain during the same period. Under the attention of global investors, the driving factors and potential risks behind this rally are worth a deep exploration.
Supply Chain Tensions and Policy Expectations Resonance
The fundamental reason for the continuous rise in silver prices lies in supply-side imbalances. Since November, when the US included silver in the list of critical minerals, market expectations for changes in trade policies have been escalating. This has led to an accelerated flow of global silver inventories into the US market, while China's silver reserves have fallen to a ten-year low, further intensifying the supply tightness in the market.
At the same time, expectations of a Federal Reserve rate cut have also supported the rise in silver prices. Compared to gold's traditional safe-haven status, silver's properties as an industrial metal make it more susceptible to economic cycles and changes in capital flows.

Hong Kong today, gold prices along with international gold trends experienced a technical correction on Thursday. Falling below the recent two-week high of $4,171-4,173, gold faces profit-taking pressure, but the downside potential is firmly guarded by market structure.
Support and Resistance Dynamics
On the technical front, the constructive setup for gold remains clear. Any further decline is expected to find initial support in the $4,132-4,130 region. If this level is broken, $4,100 will become the next line of defense. Further down, an important support zone converges around $4,040, including the 200-period exponential moving average on the 4-hour chart and the upward trendline extending from late October. Only a confirmed break below the latter could shift short-term trading sentiment to bearish, pushing gold prices toward the psychological level of $4,000.
Conversely, upward resistance needs to be broken at $4,173 to confirm. The breakout target points to $4,

The continuous depreciation pressure on the New Taiwan Dollar (NTD), with the Japanese Yen (JPY) being one of the world's three major safe-haven currencies, has led to a significant increase in exchange demand. As of December 10, 2025, the NTD to JPY exchange rate is approximately 4.85, meaning 1 NTD can be exchanged for 4.85 JPY. Compared to 4.46 at the beginning of the year, this represents an appreciation of about 8.7% year-to-date. For Taiwanese investors, this has already resulted in a considerable foreign exchange gain.
But the question is: Is it now a good time to exchange for JPY? How can you exchange in the most cost-effective way? This article will thoroughly analyze five different currency exchange strategies to help you make the smartest decision in various situations.
Why are Taiwanese people eager to exchange for JPY?
The reason JPY has become the top choice for currency exchange in Taiwan goes far beyond travel.
Daily usage: Japan travel still primarily relies on cash (credit card penetration is only 60%), and purchasing agents need to pay Japanese sellers directly in yen. Students studying abroad and working holidaymakers also need to lock in exchange rates in advance to avoid fluctuations that could increase expenses.
Financial allocation: JPY and

Return on Investment (ROI) is an important indicator for evaluating investment efficiency, measuring profit as a percentage of the investment. The higher the ROI, the better the capital utilization efficiency. This article analyzes the concept of ROI, its calculation methods, and practical applications to help investors make more rational decisions.

The US Dollar Exchange Rate History Insights: Taiwan Dollar Fluctuations Are Lower Than the Global Average
To understand the current outlook for the US dollar exchange rate trend, you need to extend the timeline. Over the past ten years (October 2014 to October 2024), the USD to TWD has fluctuated within a range of 27 to 34, with a volatility of about 23%. In comparison, the Yen against the US dollar has a volatility of up to 50% (fluctuating between 99 and 161), which is twice as much as the Taiwan dollar. What does this indicate? The TWD is actually a relatively stable currency globally.
The logic behind this stability is simple— the fluctuation of the Taiwan dollar is not controlled by Taiwan’s central bank but is instead influenced by the Federal Reserve’s(FED) interest rate hike or cut policies. Between 2015 and 2018, during the global Chinese stock market crash and European debt crisis, the FED slowed its balance sheet reduction and continued quantitative easing, causing the TWD to strengthen. By 2020, when the pandemic broke out, the FED expanded its balance sheet from 4.5

By the end of 2025, the exchange rate of the New Taiwan Dollar (NTD) to the Japanese Yen (JPY) has reached 4.85, reigniting the demand for traveling abroad and investing in Yen. But do you know? Converting 10,000 Yen back to NTD through different methods may actually cost several hundred dollars more or less. This article delves into the true cost structures of Taiwan's four major currency exchange channels, helping you find the most cost-effective way to exchange currency.
Why is Yen investment heating up?
Since the beginning of the year, the NTD has appreciated approximately 8.7% against the Yen, fueling a currency exchange boom. Not only tourists, but investors are also paying attention—Yen has long been ranked among the world's three major safe-haven currencies (alongside USD and Swiss Franc). During market volatility, funds tend to flow into Yen for safety. During the Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2022, the Yen appreciated 8% within a week, while global stock markets fell by 10%. For Taiwanese investors, holding Yen is not only for travel but also as a tool to hedge against Taiwan stock market risks.
In addition, expectations of the Bank of Japan raising interest rates are heating up. President Ueda Kazuo recently made hawkish remarks that boosted

What exactly is the return rate? Why should you pay attention?
Return on Investment (ROI), simply put, is how much money you can earn back from what you invested. It is expressed as a percentage for easy comparison.
Core definition: Return on Investment = ( earned - spent ) ÷ amount spent × 100%
Why focus on this metric? Because it tells you how efficient your investment is and is an important tool for measuring profitability. Whether it's stocks, real estate, advertising, or startup projects, this calculation is essential.
How to calculate the return rate? Breakdown of the formula
The basic formula is simple, but it’s easy to make mistakes in practice. Let’s look at some real scenarios.
Standard formula: Return Rate ( %) = Net Profit ÷ Investment × 100%
Where, net profit = total revenue - total costs

In the stock market, the most common confusion is: why does buying one lot of Taiwanese stocks cost hundreds of thousands of NT dollars, while US stocks only cost a few thousand dollars? How is the price per share calculated? The answer to this question is hidden in the three words "trading units."
Quick comparison | Price differences between Taiwanese stocks and US stocks
Let's first look at the core difference:
Taiwanese stocks have a trading unit of 1 lot = 1000 shares, while US stocks are traded directly per share. What is the result of this?
Taking TSMC as an example:
- Buying one lot of Taiwanese stock (2330): stock price 561 NT dollars × 1000 shares = 560,000 NT dollars
- Buying one share of US stock (TSM): stock price 95 USD × 1 share = about 3,000 NT dollars
The transaction cost for the same company differs by a factor of 20. That’s why people feel Taiwanese stocks are "expensive" and US stocks are "cheap."
How much is one share? Just look at the current market price.

Under the pressure of the Taiwanese dollar depreciation, many people turn to the Japanese yen for hedging or exchange currency before traveling. But do you know? When exchanging 50,000 TWD for JPY, simply choosing different banks or exchange channels can result in cost differences of up to —equivalent to the price of a hand-shaken drink.
This article provides an in-depth analysis of the Taiwanese yen exchange market to help you find the most cost-effective options.
Current Market Conditions: Yen Appreciates by 8.7%, but Volatility Risks Cannot Be Ignored
By December 2025, the TWD to JPY exchange rate will reach 4.85, up 8.7% from the beginning of the year at 4.46. This appreciation is mainly driven by three factors:
Bank of Japan's Rate Hike Expectations — Hawkish comments from Governor Ueda Kazuo have led the market to anticipate an 80% chance of rate hikes, with a meeting on December 19 expected to raise rates to 0.75% (a 30-year high). Japanese government bond yields have already hit a 17-year high of 1.93%.
Weakening US Dollar — The US is entering a rate cut cycle, and USD/JPY from the year

The Impact of Rate Hikes Continues, Taiwan Assets Face Reshaping
Since the start of the rate hike cycle in March 2022, the Federal Reserve has raised interest rates by a total of 20 basis points, bringing the benchmark rate from near zero to over 5%, a historic high. What makes this round of rate hikes particularly notable is its intensity: the Fed has increased rates at every one of the 10 consecutive FOMC meetings, and in mid-2022, it innovatively raised rates for four consecutive months, each time by 75 basis points. The driving force behind this is the US inflation rate reaching a 40-year high in June 2022.
Looking ahead to 2024, market expectations are focused on whether the Federal Reserve will continue to adjust its policy. Although inflation has entered a downward trajectory, it still remains above the 2% target, and risks within the banking system cannot be ignored. According to CME futures market expectations, the Fed may gradually cut interest rates in 2024, with an estimated total reduction of 100 to 150 basis points for the year.
Heavy Pressure on TWD Depreciation
Rate hikes

Why is gold worth investing in? First, ask yourself these 3 questions
Before diving into gold ETFs, clarify: why invest in gold?
As a traditional safe-haven asset, gold offers the dual advantages of inflation resistance and risk diversification. Central banks worldwide continue to increase gold reserves, and rising economic uncertainties are supporting gold prices. In fact, from 2023 to 2024, gold prices have hit record highs, and many market institutions still expect prices to continue rising.
Most importantly, the barrier to investing in gold has significantly lowered. Traditional physical gold requires a minimum investment of tens of thousands of yuan, while gold ETFs can be participated in with just a few hundred yuan. This is why gold ETFs are becoming the first choice for more and more investors.
What is a gold ETF? Three types, each with its own strengths
A gold ETF is a fund traded on stock exchanges that directly tracks gold price changes. Compared to other ETFs,

Why Has Gold Become an Eternal Asset? The Story from Decoupling to Skyrocketing / Surge
Gold has played a central role in human economic activity since ancient times. With its high density, excellent ductility, and durable preservation characteristics, it serves multiple roles as currency, industrial material, and jewelry. But what truly changed the trajectory of gold's value was a far-reaching historical event in 1971.
In August of that year, U.S. President Nixon announced the decoupling of the dollar from gold, breaking the Bretton Woods system established after World War II. Under this system, the dollar was essentially a proxy certificate for gold—1 ounce of gold could be exchanged for 35 USD. After decoupling, the dollar began to float freely, and the fate of gold was rewritten from that point on.
Gold Historical Price Chart Reveals Four Major Market Cycles
Looking back over half a century of gold price data, from $35 per ounce in 1971 to a historic high of $4,300 per ounce in 2025, the increase exceeds 120 times. This astonishing

Introduction: Understanding the Core Concept of Value Investing
For stock investors, value investing is an essential concept that requires in-depth understanding. This theory originated from Graham's research in the 1930s, and Buffett has popularized it, making him the most renowned practitioner of value investing worldwide. Over his decades-long investment career, he has achieved an average annual return of over 20%, demonstrating the effectiveness of this approach.
Many novice investors in the stock market lack a proper understanding of value investing. This article will introduce the essence of this investment method in an easy-to-understand manner and provide practical stock selection ideas and advanced learning resources.
What Is True Value Investing?
The core logic of value investing is simple—search for high-quality companies that are undervalued by the market. However, in practice, investors need to use multi-dimensional indicators such as the Price-to-Earnings ratio, Price-to-Book ratio, and dividend yield to identify targets whose stock prices are below their intrinsic value.
Rather than just buying low and selling high, the essence of value investing is to...

As the investment market matures, more and more investors are paying attention to both the US stock market and the Taiwan stock market. However, with numerous market analysis software available, choosing the most suitable tool has become a challenge for beginners. As the saying goes, "To do a good job, one must first sharpen one's tools," selecting a trading app that provides real-time US stock quotes and supports instant pricing directly impacts the efficiency and accuracy of investment decisions.
How to choose a US stock trading tool?
As the world's most important financial market, the US stock market boasts unparalleled trading depth and liquidity. When selecting a US stock trading tool, investors should consider three core factors: quote delay, chart analysis features, and trading execution efficiency.
Professional-grade trading options
TradingView is the preferred choice for many investors. This tool offers a simple and fast trading experience, with over a hundred built-in technical indicators and more than 100,000 community-developed indicators. The free version is sufficient for daily use, and paid

Market Overview This Week (12/8-12/12) The foreign exchange market showed a divergence pattern, with the US dollar index falling by 0.60%, and non-US currencies experiencing mixed movements. The euro rose by 0.84%, the British pound increased by 0.34%, the Australian dollar slightly gained 0.18%, while the Japanese yen declined by 0.29%, reflecting an overall adjustment in global central bank policy expectations.
1. Federal Reserve Policy Shift Supports European Currencies, ECB Decision Becomes a Key Variable
Federal Reserve Policy Signals Boost Euro
Last week, the euro/USD appreciation was mainly driven by the depreciation of the US dollar. The Federal Reserve planned to proceed with a 25 basis points rate cut, but more attention was on the initiation of the Reserve Management Purchase (RMP) plan—buying $40 billion of short-term government bonds monthly. Investors generally interpret this as a signal of the return of quantitative easing (QE). Chairman Powell's speech was more dovish than expected, leading to a consecutive two

In stock technical analysis, the relationship between volume and price is an important indicator that cannot be ignored. Whenever stock prices fluctuate, the changes in trading volume behind them often imply the true attitude of market participants. Today, we will delve into what the volume-price relationship is and reveal the market signals conveyed by 5 common volume-price combinations.
What is the volume-price relationship?
The volume-price relationship essentially refers to the interaction pattern between stock price movements and trading volume. This is the foundation of technical analysis, reflecting the ebb and flow of buying and selling forces in the market. When stock prices rise or fall, the accompanying trading volume directly reveals the market's level of participation.
The following table summarizes the characteristics and market implications of 5 typical volume-price combinations:
| Volume-Price Pattern | Market Performance | Significance |
|----------------------|---------------------|--------------|
| Price Rise with Decreasing Volume | Stock price rises but trading volume shrinks |