Weekly Review and OpenBook Roundup

(eToro Blog) The global financial markets were boosted somewhat on the back of a stronger than expected US jobs report. The net-effect of the improved figures were an immediate catalyst to boosting industrial metal prices and energy prices. Pundits are carefully eyeing the figures coming out of the United States, in the hope that a definite recovery is on the cards. The Department of Labor reported that for the month of July, non-farm payrolls had increased by 163,000 workers. This was in stark contrast to the paltry 64,000 for the month of June. It appears that the summer season has led to a boom in agricultural employment circles. It is further expected that the Fed will seek ways and means to stimulate economic activity.

Across the Atlantic, Europe continues to feel the effects of the crises in Spain, Italy, Ireland and Greece. The robust growth of the Chinese economy has economic policymakers mulling their options. The European Central Bank appears to be lackadaisical about finding a solid strategy to bolster the Euro-Zone. Brent crude oil gained marginally to trade at $107.51 a barrel, the gold price was last listed at $1595.10 an ounce, while copper prices reached $3.33 a pound by the end of trade on Friday.

The top eToro traders have looked to diversify their portfolio between commodities and forex, while taking advantage of the Euro-Zone weakness and dollar buoyancy. One particular trader fazlanmfm from Sri Lanka, enjoyed 9.2% profitability during the last week, 91.5% profitability during the last month, and 265.2% over a three-month period. His total gain over 3 months is listed as 512.7%. His portfolio is comprised of 97.6% currencies and 2.4% commodities, with the AUD/USD, accounting for 94.3% of his currency investment. This trader executed 562 trades, with 96.8% of those trades been profitable. fazlanmfm certainly bears testament to the fact that incremental and consistent gains are the way to long-term profitability in social trading circles at eToro. His 6-month trading history reflects an equally impressive range of statistics, with an 869.6% Gain. fazlanmfm has 1,035 followers and 314 copiers.