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🚀 Happy Monday Munchers! It’s Pip Munch—the trading sidekick that knows all the market moves, even if we still don’t know where the socks disappear in the laundry.

Here’s what’s shaking up the markets this week and what traders need to keep an eye on (besides that trade you swear you “just forgot” to close).

On today’s menu:

• UK Job Cuts and Tariffs: What Traders Need to Know 🇬🇧 

• The Top 5 Mistakes Traders Make Every Monday (& How to Avoid Them) 🛡️

• FTMO Buys Oanda. What Does That Mean For Traders? 🤔 

• Argentina’s President Gets In Trouble For A Crypto Scam 🇦🇷

MARKET OVERVIEW

🚨UK Job Cuts Are Coming... and So Is the Pound’s Drama

The UK is facing its most brutal round of job cuts in a decade—and no, this isn’t just another Monday mood.

Small businesses are sweating, confidence is at a five-year low, and the Bank of England cut its 2025 growth forecast.

The Pound (GBP) has already been slipping against the USD like a trader trying to explain their P&L to their spouse.

With the economy slowing and jobs on the chopping block, traders need to watch the GBP closely.

If this trend continues, the Pound could stay under pressure—especially if the US economy keeps flexing.

🛡️ Tariff Watch: Trump’s Trade War 2.0?

Trump’s back, and so are tariffs.

Reciprocal tariffs are the new buzzword—meaning if another country taxes US goods, the US will tax theirs right back.

Traders, this means uncertainty, volatility, and more Twitter notifications than your screen time app can handle.

Key takeaway? Keep stops tight.

You might already get the side-eye from your spouse for spending too much time on Twitter, but this week? Double down.

Any surprise tweet from Trump could move the markets faster than you move when you realize you left a trade open during NFP.

🇦🇺 RBA Rate Cuts Incoming?

The Reserve Bank of Australia is expected to cut rates by 25bps on Tuesday, with more cuts possible this year.

Lower rates could weaken the Aussie dollar (AUD), so keep an eye on AUD pairs if you’re looking for volatility.

📊 Earnings Season Isn’t Over Yet

Big names like Walmart, Alibaba, and Rivian report earnings this week.

Strong results could keep the stock market rally going, while any misses might cause a sell-off.

Earnings season is like trading on FOMC day—unpredictable, nerve-wracking, and full of “Did that really just happen?” moments.

⏳ The Market’s Mood: Wait and See

We’re in a wait-and-see market right now.

• Tariffs might happen—or they might not.

• Bitcoin might hit new highs—or it might fizzle faster than our New Year’s trading resolutions.

• The Fed might cut rates—or they might just keep reminding us they’re “data-dependent.”

So what do you do?

🔑 Trade what’s in front of you.

The market’s waiting, but you don’t have to.

Keep those stops tight, keep your risk in check, and—if all else fails—blame the market maker.

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TRADING TIPS

📉 The Top 5 Mistakes Traders Make Every Monday (and How to Avoid Them) 🛡️

Mondays are tough.

The coffee machine is broken, your broker’s app crashes, and your chart looks more confusing than your wife's Amazon order history.

But fear not, traders. Here are the top 5 Monday mistakes you’re probably making—and how to dodge them faster than a margin call.

1. Trading Without a Game Plan 📝

Winging it on a Monday? Rookie move. ❌ 

You wouldn’t go skydiving without checking your parachute, right? (Unless you’re that one trader who YOLO’d on gold last week. We see you.)

Fix it: Take 15 minutes on Sunday night to review the week’s calendar, key levels, and setups.

Trust us—your future self will thank you.

2. Overtrading Like Your Rent Is Due Tomorrow 🫠

Mondays can feel slow, and boredom trading is real.

But stacking losses before lunch is not the thrill you need.

Fix it: Set a daily limit—three quality trades max.

If your Monday looks messier than your kid’s art project, step back and live to trade another day.

3. Ignoring the News Like It’s Your Ex’s Texts 📰

Tariff updates? Missed it.

Powell’s speech? Forgot about it.

Next thing you know, the market is moving faster than Elon’s latest tweet.

Fix it: Check the news before placing a single trade. Yes, even if it means more screen time than your wife thinks is “healthy.”

4. Letting the Weekend Mood Control Your Trades 🍻

Saturday’s FOMO and Sunday’s regrets don’t belong on your charts.

If you’re revenge trading because your favourite team lost, your P&L is already in danger.

Fix it: Start the day slow. Warm up with a demo trade or review your journal. Your account deserves better than hungover decision-making.

5. Forgetting to Set Stop Losses 🤦‍♂️

No stop loss? Bold.

That’s like driving without brakes. (Unless you like getting liquidated—then, by all means, carry on.)

Fix it: Always set your stops. Tighten them during volatile sessions, and remember: "hope" is not a trading strategy.

Final Tip: Mondays are about survival, not heroics.

Trade smart, keep it simple, and remember—there are four more days to print pips this week.

Now, go make this Monday your (profitable) sidekick.

🚀 Let’s get it, traders!

🚀 Pre-Market Fuel

1. FTMO bought Oanda, one of the biggest brokers in the world. What does that mean for traders? This video breaks it down.

2. Argentina’s president is in trouble for promoting a crypto scam. It will be interesting to see what happens with this.

3. A quote on procrastination. This is a good reminder to start the new week.

🍪 Munchy Memes

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