Headline: Markets Mixed as Tesla Slumps in China, Oil Steadies, and Crypto Tests Resistance
Global markets delivered a split picture, with electric vehicles, energy, crypto, currencies, and AI-heavy equities pulling in different directions. Tesla’s sales stumble in China underscored intensifying EV competition, while oil prices steadied and traders weighed central bank signals. In digital assets, Ethereum showed improving momentum, even as equity investors debated whether AI valuations are running ahead of fundamentals.
Tesla’s China deliveries fell 36% year over year in October to 26,006 vehicles, the lowest in three years, trimming its market share to 3.2% amid fierce rivalry from domestic brands such as Xiaomi. Even so, exports from Tesla’s Shanghai facility reached a two-year high, highlighting the company’s pivot to overseas demand as pricing pressure intensifies in the world’s largest EV market.
Crude oil hovered near $64 per barrel, with the WTI front spread narrowing to $0.09—an indication of looser near-term supply-demand conditions. U.S. crude futures remain down 16% year to date on surplus concerns. In foreign exchange, the People’s Bank of China set the USD/CNY central parity at 7.0866—stronger than market estimates—supporting the yuan and stabilizing risk sentiment. Macroeconomic debate persisted as traders assessed the Federal Reserve’s policy path against mixed signals, including consumer prices running about 4% higher year over year despite political claims suggesting otherwise.
In crypto, Ethereum futures displayed bullish momentum, but technicians are watching for a confirmed breakout above the upper bound of a four-hour bull flag before targeting new all-time highs. Equities tied to artificial intelligence drew fresh scrutiny after warnings that today’s valuations echo late-1990s bubble dynamics, citing rising tech spend, weaker profits, and wider credit spreads. Meanwhile, high-profile positioning continued to divide opinion: reports of a big bearish bet against Palantir contrasted with analyst calls for substantial upside, as debate over marquee AI names, including Nvidia, remained front and center.
Key Points: – Tesla’s China sales fell 36% year over year in October to 26,006 units; market share slipped to 3.2%, while Shanghai exports hit a two-year high. – WTI crude steadied near $64/bbl; front-month spread narrowed to $0.09 and U.S. crude futures are down 16% year to date on surplus concerns. – The PBOC set the USD/CNY central rate at 7.0866, stronger than expected, lending support to the yuan. – Traders weighed Fed policy as inflation hovers around 4% year over year, amid conflicting commentary on price pressures. – Ethereum futures show bullish intent, but a sustained breakout above a four-hour bull flag is needed to target new highs. – AI valuation risks stayed in focus, with warnings of bubble-like signals; bearish positioning in Palantir contrasts with analyst projections for strong upside and ongoing debate around Nvidia’s valuation.
