Global Context: Trade Tensions Reignite

In mid-May 2024, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) issued a rare public statement urging the United States to avoid escalating its trade dispute with China and to “protect the integrity of open global markets.”

The timing couldn’t have been worse — new tariffs and supply-chain policies were already unsettling investors, and the IMF’s remarks fueled concerns that a trade-war 2.0 might be forming.

Global equity markets dipped. Commodity currencies weakened.
The U.S. dollar, yen (JPY), and Swiss franc (CHF) became safe-haven favorites once again.

“When the IMF speaks about trade risk, the market listens,”
says Hilda Schneider, a professional trader at Nexa Level X.
“You could feel the shift in sentiment within hours — capital rushed out of risk assets and into defensive plays.”

Market Impact: A Wave of Volatility

The IMF’s warning was interpreted as a signal that global growth could slow in H2 2024 if trade tensions continued.
Forex, commodities, and equity indices reacted in sync:

AUD / USD

• The Australian dollar plunged nearly 1.5 % in two sessions.

• Traders priced in weaker Chinese demand and falling commodity exports.

• Key technical level: break below 0.6620 triggered follow-through selling.

USD / JPY

• The pair fell from 157.40 → 155.90 as investors hedged exposure and sought safety in the yen.

• Volatility spiked, with options pricing in wider intraday ranges.

EUR / USD

• The euro briefly touched 1.0710, pressured by risk-off flows and dovish ECB expectations.

• European stocks mirrored the weakness, reinforcing dollar strength.

“It was one of those textbook moments,”
recalls Hilda.
“Macro headlines were driving everything — and if you knew where to look, the setups were clean.”

How Hilda Schneider Captured +9.11 %

Hilda entered the week with a balanced exposure but quickly noticed the divergence between U.S.-safe-haven currencies and commodity pairs.
Her trade sequence:

1. Short AUD/USD at 0.6658 after IMF statement — confirmed breakdown on 4-hour chart.

2. Added EUR/USD shorts once dollar momentum held above DXY 104.50.

3. Managed risk with tight 0.6 % per-trade exposure and dynamic stop-loss trailing.

4. Exited positions in three tranches as volatility normalized.

The total performance for the week: +9.11 % ROI, verified within Nexa Level X trading records.

“It wasn’t luck — it was alignment.
Fundamentals said ‘risk off,’ charts confirmed it, and execution did the rest.”

Lessons from the IMF Shock

1. Global institutions move markets.
   IMF, Fed, and ECB statements can shift sentiment even without policy changes.

2. Commodity currencies are first to react.
   AUD, NZD, and CAD tend to drop when global trade fears resurface.

3. Preparation > Prediction.
   Hilda didn’t predict the statement — she reacted faster and managed risk better.

4. Volatility rewards discipline.
   Emotional traders panic; structured ones find rhythm in the chaos.

Hilda’s Reflection

“People think big profits come from big bets.
In reality, they come from understanding how fear spreads through markets — and positioning calmly before others overreact.”

Her method reflects the Nexa Level X approach: combining fundamental awareness, technical clarity, and strict risk control.

Conclusion

The IMF’s May 2024 warning to the U.S. wasn’t just a policy headline — it became a catalyst for global volatility.
While many traders froze, Hilda Schneider recognized the setup, trusted her process, and delivered a precise +9.11 % profit in a week defined by fear and uncertainty.

In turbulent markets, that’s what separates a guess from a strategy.