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South Korea’s service sector output increased by 1.8% in September, reversing a previous decline of -0.7%. This rise marks a recovery in a key part of South Korea’s economy.
In the financial markets, various instruments are experiencing fluctuations. The EUR/USD pair is seeing interest from dip-buyers, and GBP/USD is near six-month lows. Gold is stable above $4,000, marking a steady point in commodity prices.
Bitcoin’s 17th Anniversary
Bitcoin commemorates the 17th anniversary of its whitepaper this period. These events signal ongoing interest and activity in the cryptocurrency market.
Additional information on these economic indicators and currency movements is available on the FXStreet website. Readers can subscribe to the FXStreet newsletter for the latest financial updates.
The strong South Korean service sector data is a positive signal for the Korean Won. This rebound comes after the Bank of Korea noted in its last meeting that inflation was nearing its 2.5% target, suggesting less pressure for future rate hikes. We should consider call options on the KRW or related Korean equity ETFs, as this economic strength could attract foreign investment.
UK Economic Outlook
For the British Pound, which is testing six-month lows against the dollar, the outlook appears weak. Recent data for Q3 2025 showed UK GDP growth at a sluggish 0.2%, creating stagflation concerns as inflation remains sticky. We see an opportunity in buying put options on GBP/USD, anticipating a potential break below these key support levels in the coming weeks.
With dip-buyers entering the EUR/USD market, we might be seeing a temporary floor. However, with recent US non-farm payrolls for September 2025 beating expectations at 225,000, the Federal Reserve’s hawkish stance will likely keep the dollar strong. This suggests range-bound strategies, like selling iron condors on EUR/USD, could be effective.
Gold’s stability above $4,000 an ounce is significant, supported by consistent central bank buying throughout 2025. Reports from the World Gold Council indicate that central banks have been net purchasers for 15 consecutive months, creating a strong baseline demand. Selling out-of-the-money puts on gold futures could be a way to collect premium while betting that this powerful support level will hold.
As Bitcoin marks the 17th anniversary of its whitepaper, we are mindful of historical patterns following its halving events, like the one in 2024. The years after previous halvings, such as 2017 and 2021, saw substantial price increases. With implied volatility on Bitcoin options currently at multi-month lows, building exposure through long-dated call options seems like a prudent way to position for potential upside into 2026.
