The global market is in turmoil amid bad news, but Bitcoin and XRP remain strong while SET is sinking.

As we enter 2026, the global financial markets are showing conflicting forces. U.S. stock indices are reaching new highs, while the Thai stock market is experiencing a downturn. Behind these shifts is the merging of “bad news turning into good news,” which investors are calculating amid geopolitical movements, diverse economic signals, and new trends in the technology sector.

When the U.S. Moves, Global Markets Shake

The detention of Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela may seem like a single political news story, but it actually impacts the financial markets on multiple levels. The Dow Jones Industrial Average, which broke through the 49,000-point barrier for the first time, closed at 49,462.08 points (+0.99%), reflecting a surge in confidence in capitalism. Meanwhile, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq continue to follow the same upward trend.

What’s notable is the volatility in crude oil prices. Investors are worried that political maneuvering or the possibility of the U.S. intervening to manage Venezuela’s largest oil reserves could lead to a long-term decrease in oil prices. However, for now, the wounds are not deep.

CES 2026 and Industry Signals

In Las Vegas, Nvidia’s senior executives stated that the demand for AI memory chips remains unsatisfied. This statement opened the door for semiconductor companies like Sandisk and Western Digital to soar 15-17%, as the market is setting new expectations.

Similarly, signals from the manufacturing sector are emerging. The U.S. ISM Manufacturing PMI dropped to 47.9, below expectations. While this seems like bad news, investors interpret it as “a sign that the Fed will continue to cut interest rates in 2026,” maintaining their investment expansion plans.

“Safe Haven” Assets and Gold Support

In uncertain times, large amounts of capital flee to safe assets. Gold prices surged past $4,500 per ounce, with Morgan Stanley targeting a year-end goal of $4,800, a level never seen before. Silver (Silver) is also gaining momentum, testing $80 and when considering the Gold-to-Silver ratio, there is room for further expansion.

In the digital asset world, Bitcoin remains strong at $96.65K (latest update data), showing that the flight to safety is not limited to gold alone. XRP, testing a significant monthly resistance at $2.11, may be signaling a major trend reversal if the momentum continues.

Thai Stock Market: Diverging Amid Profit-Taking and Energy Buying

While the world celebrates high numbers, the Thai stock market (SET Index) turned downward, closing at 1,274.75 points. Profit-taking in major stocks like AOT and DELTA has taken its toll on the index. However, not everything is moving in the same direction. The energy sector, especially PTTEP, is holding the index steady because oil prices remain high.

For Thai investors, leading financial institutions recommend closely monitoring the energy sector and exploring the characteristics of the next decade. If the goal is to accumulate stocks, consider looking into the tourism sector, which remains a laggard, or data centers (Data Center), which are in the same momentum as the global trend, rather than opposing the larger market flow.