Stephen Miran, a Federal Reserve governor whose term ends at the end of January, said Thursday that he is looking for 150 basis points of interest-rate cuts this year to boost the U.S. labor market. Miran told Bloomberg Television's Surveillance program that Fed officials had room to further reduce rates given his view that underlying inflation was likely running at 2.3%. "I'm looking for about a point and a half of cuts. A lot of that is driven by my view of inflation," Miran said. "Underlying inflation is running within noise of our target, and that's a good indication of where overall...
Oil prices drifted in quiet year-end trading, with investors assessing the outlook for crude for 2025 while tracking developments in the Middle East. West Texas Intermediate was steady above $69 a barrel, after falling 0.7% on Thursday, when Brent also fell. A 10-day volatility gauge for the U.S. crude benchmark has ebbed to its lowest level since 2021. In the Middle East, Israel struck several targets in Yemen that it said were controlled by the Houthis, the last Iran-backed group still fully involved in a regional war that began 14 months ago. Crude prices were on track to end the year...
Gold prices rose on Thursday, driven by safe-haven demand amid light trading volumes following the Christmas holiday, as markets await signals regarding the U.S. economy under the incoming Trump administration and Federal Reserve's rate strategy for 2025. Spot gold rose 0.7% to $2,633.32 per ounce. U.S. gold futures added 0.6% to $2,650.20. "Some of gold's gains had to do with what's going on in Ukraine with Russia hitting Ukraine's electrical system," said Daniel Pavilonis, senior market strategist at RJO Futures. President Joe Biden said on Wednesday he asked the U.S. Defense Department...
Oil held steady after a rally, with stimulus measures in China and a U.S. industry report that signaled another draw in stockpiles in focus. Brent traded below $74 a barrel after rising 1.3% on Tuesday, with West Texas Intermediate nearing $70. In a bid to boost growth, China has given local officials more freedom in how they invest government bond proceeds, while keeping interest rates unchanged for now. Policymakers pledged a "moderately loose" monetary stance in the top crude importer earlier this month. In the U.S., the American Petroleum Institute said commercial crude inventories...
Oil rose as stimulus measures in China may help to bolster demand, and a US industry report flagged another drop in stockpiles. Brent climbed toward $74 a barrel after a 1.3% gain on Tuesday, with West Texas Intermediate above $70. In a bid to bolster growth, China is giving local officials more leeway in how they invest proceeds of government bonds, while keeping interest rates steady for now. Policymakers pledged a "moderately loose" monetary stance in the top crude importer earlier this month. Source: Bloomberg
Gold edges higher in early Asian trade. In the short- and medium-term, prices may experience fluctuations and volatility as there is no overall driving force amid the holidays, analysts at Nanhua Futures write in a note. For now, markets continue to expect the Fed to keep rates on hold in January, they add. Spot gold is 0.2% higher at $2,620.85/oz. Source: Bloomberg
Bank of Japan (BOJ) Governor Kazuo Ueda stated that achieving 2% inflation is getting closer, although real inflation remains low. Ueda emphasized that the BOJ will continue to raise interest rates...
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) maintained its cash rate at 4.1% during its April meeting, holding borrowing costs unchanged after slashing 25 bps in the February meeting, aligning with market...