How Weather, Light, and Nature Affect Investor Behavior
Insights from “Inside the Investor’s Brain” by Richard L. Peterson
When it comes to investing, many assume that logic and data drive decisions. However, research has shown that weather conditions, daylight, and even lunar cycles have a surprising impact on investor behavior and market performance.
According to Richard L. Peterson in his book Inside the Investor’s Brain, sunshine, cloud cover, temperature changes, and geomagnetic storms all influence the mood and risk tolerance of investors — often without them even realizing it. These subtle changes in environment can lead to significant shifts in stock market returns.
For instance, a study cited in the book by David Hirshleifer analyzed 26 stock markets globally between 1982 and 1997. It found that the annualized market return on sunny days in New York City was 24.8%, compared to just 8.7% on cloudy days. The reason? Sunshine improves mood, and elevated mood reduces risk aversion, making investors more likely to buy.
Similarly, Kamstra, Kramer, and Levi (2003) found a clear seasonal pattern in returns. Their research suggested that stock markets tend to underperform in summer and outperform in winter. By strategically rotating investment between hemispheres based on daylight (e.g., investing in Sydney from March to September and Stockholm from September to March), an investor could have achieved annual returns of over 21% during 1982–2001.
More surprisingly, geomagnetic storms and poor sleep (often linked to seasonal changes or daylight saving time) were shown to correlate with market underperformance. Researchers believe that these factors contribute to lower mood and increased risk aversion.
One particularly interesting study by Yuan, Zheng, and Zhu (2001) found that stock returns were significantly higher around full moons than new moons — by as much as 6.6% annually. The theory? The light of the full moon might subconsciously enhance mood and confidence in decision-making.
In summary, even the most logical and analytical investors may unknowingly be swayed by natural forces. As Peterson notes, these environmental and biological influences operate beneath conscious awareness, yet they powerfully shape financial behavior and market trends.
#IsraelIranConflict Siraj-ul-Haq Warns of Regional Fallout from Israel–Iran Conflict
ISLAMABAD, June 14 – Jamaat-e-Islami Emir Siraj-ul-Haq has strongly condemned Israel’s aggression against Iran, warning that the conflict may soon spill over into the broader region if not contained immediately.
Speaking to reporters upon his return from a party-organized solidarity event, Siraj stated, “This is no longer just Iran’s or Palestine’s issue—Israel’s expansionist ambitions can soon reach Pakistan and other Muslim nations if we remain silent.”
He praised China and Russia for taking a stand with Iran and criticized the Muslim world’s lack of united response, urging the OIC to immediately convene and take a decisive position.
Siraj called on the government of Pakistan to cut all informal ties with Israel and take practical steps in support of both Iranian sovereignty and the Palestinian cause.
#IsraelIranConflict ISLAMABAD, June 14 – In today’s National Assembly, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif strongly condemned recent Israeli strikes on Iran, declaring that “we stand with Iran”, adding that Israel is targeting Yemen, Iran and Palestine .
He cautioned that Israel’s actions threaten the entire Muslim world, urging fellow Muslim nations to unite in response. “Our sympathies lie fully with Iran” and “the massacre in Gaza demands unity among all Muslim countries,” he stressed, calling for a collective stand **“against a common enemy”** .
Asif also confirmed Pakistan will raise the matter at international forums, cautioning that ongoing aggression has broader regional repercussions .
#IsraelIranConflict Pakistan’s UN Envoy Condemns Israeli Aggression in Iran-Israel Conflict
Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, strongly condemned Israel’s recent military actions against Iran during a UN Security Council session.
Calling the Israeli strikes "unjustified, unilateral, and sectarian aggression," Ambassador Iftikhar warned that such provocations pose a grave threat to regional and global peace and security. He emphasized that Iran has the legitimate right to self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter.
> “No country should have unchecked freedom to violate international law and carry out unprovoked attacks,” he stated. “The international community must hold Israel accountable and prevent further escalation.”
Ambassador Iftikhar urged the Security Council to take immediate steps to de-escalate tensions and restore peace through diplomacy. He reiterated Pakistan’s principled stance on respecting sovereignty, non-interference, and the rule of international law.
At first glance, trading seems like an easy way to make money—just open a chart, take a trade, and watch profits roll in. And to some extent, that’s true. You do need to look at the chart to earn, but you must learn to truly read the chart—to “read between the lines.”
Charts don’t just show price—they show the mood of the market. They reveal whether the market is stable or unstable. But here’s a deeper question: Are you stable or unstable while trading?
Markets don’t care about your opinions or emotions. They move based on data, price action, and sentiment—not your feelings. So instead of forcing the market to align with your expectations, train your mind to align with the market's reality.
That’s where emotional intelligence comes in.
It’s not enough to have a strategy. Every trader faces fear, greed, and doubt. The winners are those who recognize these emotions but don’t act on them impulsively. They stay patient. They stay disciplined. They let the chart speak, and their emotions stay silent.
Final Thought
Trading is not just a test of skill—it’s a test of self. Work on your mind as much as you work on your charts. That’s the real edge.
Geopolitical tensions, like the Israel-Iran conflict, often impact global financial markets — and the crypto market is no exception. During times of war or rising conflict, investors usually seek safe-haven assets. Traditionally, gold and the US dollar are preferred, but in recent years, Bitcoin has also emerged as a "digital gold."
If the conflict escalates, it may cause volatility in global markets, including cryptocurrencies. Fear and uncertainty can lead to panic selling or, alternatively, a surge in buying if investors see crypto as a hedge against traditional market risks.
However, regulatory crackdowns, increased oil prices, and internet disruptions in conflict zones can also negatively affect crypto adoption and transaction volumes. Altcoins are generally more vulnerable during such periods, while Bitcoin and stablecoins may remain relatively strong.
In short, the crypto market may experience both short-term volatility and long-term shifts depending on how the conflict unfolds.
WalletConnect is an open-source protocol that connects crypto wallets to decentralized applications (dApps) securely. By scanning a QR code or clicking a deep link, users can instantly interact with dApps through their mobile or desktop wallets — all without exposing their private keys.
WCT, or WalletConnect Token, is the native utility and governance token of the WalletConnect network. It is deployed on the Optimism network as an ERC-20 token, with a total supply of 1 billion tokens. Around 18.5% of the supply was distributed through an airdrop to early users and contributors.
Main Utilities of WCT:
Staking: Users can lock their tokens for a period ranging from 1 week to 2 years. The longer the lock-up period, the greater the staking rewards, encouraging long-term participation in the network.
Governance: WCT holders can vote on key decisions such as protocol upgrades, fee structures, and future airdrop strategies — ensuring that the protocol evolves with community consensus.
Performance Incentives: Wallet providers and node operators are rewarded in WCT based on their uptime, latency, and overall contribution to network performance.
Future Outlook:
Though WalletConnect services are currently free, governance may introduce protocol fees in WCT through community voting. This would further incentivize holding and using the token.
With over 600+ wallets and 40,000+ dApps integrated, and more than 240 million successful sessions, WalletConnect and its token are becoming central to the Web3 experience.