Author

Sofia Alvarez

FX & Central Banks Editor

Sofia Alvarez has spent 10 years reporting on currency markets and monetary policy, with a focus on Federal Reserve, ECB, and emerging-market central bank decisions. She holds a master's degree in economics from the London School of Economics and previously worked as a macro analyst at a foreign exchange desk. Her coverage explains how policy shifts and rate decisions move currency and bond markets.

Covers:

forex
central-banks
macro

Latest by Sofia Alvarez

Saga Shares Surge After Berenberg Initiates 'Buy' Rating

Jul 9, 2026

Shares in the UK over-50s specialist rallied after the German investment bank set a price target implying over 60% upside, citing a successful business transformation.

Wolters Kluwer Shares Surge on JPMorgan Upgrade to 'Overweight'

Jul 9, 2026

Shares of the Dutch information services firm jumped after JPMorgan upgraded the stock and raised its price target, citing an attractive valuation following a period of significant underperformance.

Ionis Pharmaceuticals Shares Plunge After Heart Drug Fails Late-Stage Trial

Jul 9, 2026

Ionis Pharmaceuticals stock fell over 14% after the company and partner AstraZeneca announced their drug eplontersen failed to meet its primary goal in a pivotal Phase 3 study for a serious heart condition, a major setback for its growth strategy.

Bernstein Forecasts Major Memory Price Hikes in Q2 Driven by Server Demand

Jul 9, 2026

Analysts at Bernstein project a significant increase in memory chip prices for the second quarter of 2026, citing robust server demand that is absorbing available supply and stabilizing spot prices.

JPMorgan Initiates Positive Catalyst Watch on Brunello Cucinelli Ahead of H1 Results

Jul 9, 2026

JPMorgan analysts have placed the Italian luxury brand on a positive watch list, anticipating that strong first-half earnings on July 30 will highlight healthy sales and margin growth, potentially reversing the stock's recent underperformance.

Jefferies Reaffirms Alibaba as Top China Internet Pick on AI Growth Prospects

Jul 9, 2026

Investment firm Jefferies reiterated its positive stance on Alibaba, citing accelerating artificial intelligence demand and a resilient cloud division expected to offset near-term e-commerce headwinds.

Asian Investors Seek AI 'Picks and Shovels' Amid Valuation Concerns

Jul 9, 2026

Prominent Asian investors are expressing caution over high AI valuations, shifting their strategy to focus on infrastructure like data centers and companies with 'hard assets' resilient to technological disruption.

Oma Saastopankki Shares Soar 44% on S-Bank's €571 Million Takeover Bid

Jul 9, 2026

S-Bank Plc has announced a recommended public cash tender offer for Oma Savings Bank Plc for €17.20 per share, representing a significant premium and causing the target's stock to surge.

Playtech Shares Surge Nearly 19% on Unconfirmed Catalyst

Jul 9, 2026

Shares of the FTSE 250-listed gambling technology firm Playtech soared in London trading, a move analysts attribute to a significant, though unconfirmed, company-specific catalyst.