Asia-Pacific markets traded mixed Monday , after the U.S.-Russia summit concluded without a ceasefire. Japan's Nikkei 225 benchmark rose 0.62%, while the broader Topix index added 0.42%. In South Korea, the Kospi index fell 1.06%, while the small-cap Kosdaq was down 1.44%. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 started the day flat. Futures for Hong Kong's Hang Seng index stood at 25,214, pointing to a stronger open compared with the HSI's last close of 25,270.07. U.S. equity futures ticked up in early Asia hours on hopes for rate cuts by the U.S. Federal Reserve, which fueled a winning week on...
Gold hovered around $3,050 per ounce on Thursday, a fresh record, supported by rising US rate cut expectations and strong safe-haven demand. The Federal Reserve noted increased economic uncertainty but still expects to cut rates by 50 bps this year, matching its December projection and boosting non-yielding gold. Meanwhile, tensions in the Middle East escalated as Israel launched "targeted ground activities" in Gaza, retaking part of a key area after an airstrike ended a two-month ceasefire with Hamas. The US also kept striking Houthi targets in Yemen after Red Sea attacks, with Trump...
West Texas Intermediate (WTI), the US crude oil benchmark, is trading around $67.20 during the early Asian session on Thursday. The WTI price edges higher amid the ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. However, the Federal Reserve's (Fed) decision to hold interest rates steady might cap the upside for WTI price. The Israeli military resumed ground operations in the central and southern Gaza Strip. US President Donald Trump threatened to continue his country's attack on Yemen's Houthis and said he would hold Iran responsible for any attacks carried out by the group that has...
The Australian Dollar depreciated as Employment Change declined by 52.8K in February, missing the consensus forecast of a 30.0K increase. The PBOC kept its Loan Prime Rates (LPRs) unchanged, with the one- and five-year rates at 3.10% and 3.60%, respectively. The Fed reaffirmed its expectation of two rate cuts later this year but highlighted uncertainty arising from Trump's tariff policies. The Australian Dollar (AUD) weakens against the US Dollar (USD) on Thursday, reversing gains from the previous session. The AUD/USD pair declines as the AUD receives downward pressure following the...
Gold prices rallied sharply and hit a new all-time high of $3,052 on Wednesday as US Federal Reserve (Fed) Chair Jerome Powell spoke following the Fed's decision to hold rates unchanged. At the time of writing, the XAU/USD trades volatile within the $3,035-$3,050 range, up more than 0.20%. The Fed decided to keep rates unchanged at the 4.25%-4.50% range and tweaked its balance sheet, which is expected to run off in April. The Fed acknowledged that labor market conditions remain solid but noted that inflation remains "somewhat" elevated, reaffirming its commitment to monitoring risks to both...
The USD/CHF pair gains ground to around 0.8770 during the Asian session on Wednesday, bolstered by the renewed Greenback demand. The US Federal Reserve (Fed) interest rate decision will take center stage on Wednesday, with no change in rate expected. The attention will shift to the Swiss National Bank (SNB) policy meeting later on Thursday. Market consensus suggests that the Fed will keep its federal funds rate unchanged at the current range of 4.25% to 4.50%. Traders will focus on the Press Conference and Summary of Economic Projections (SEP), or ‘dot-plot,' for more cues about the future...