United States (US) President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin concluded an initial face-to-face meeting in Alaska late Friday, with both parties delivering mutually inconclusive statements. Trump and Putin both delivered vague promises of "progress" on multiple fronts, but initial details remain light. Now, President Trump will be pivoting to hand-delivering Russia's peace proposals on Ukraine to both the Ukrainian and European Union government bodies. Key Putin highlightsMeeting has been long overdue.Ukraine situation was one of key issues.Ukraine war is a tragedy, great...
Gold hit an all-time high on Friday, boosted by uncertainty over U.S. tariffs, trade tensions and growing expectations of monetary easing by the Federal Reserve. Spot gold fell 0.1% to $2,984.71 an ounce by 0701 GMT. Earlier in the session, safe-haven bullion hit a record high of $2,993.80 and held near the key $3,000 milestone. Bullion is on track for a second straight weekly gain, up 2.5% so far. U.S. gold futures rose 0.2% to $2,997.50. "The market's risk-off stance reflects investors' expectations that trade tensions are likely to worsen before easing, and is turning to safe-haven...
The US Dollar Index (DXY), which tracks the US Dollar (USD) against six major currencies, extends its winning streak for a third consecutive day amid improved Treasury yields. The DXY is trading near 104.00 with 2- and 10-year yields on US Treasury bonds standing at 3.96% and 4.29%, respectively, during Asian hours on Friday. The Greenback strengthened after better-than-expected jobless claims and weaker-than-anticipated Producer Price Index (PPI) data released on Thursday. Traders now await the preliminary Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index for March, set for release in the North American...
Gold price (XAU/USD) extends its consolidative price move near the all-time peak touched the Asian session on Friday. Positive comments out of the White House and from Canadian officials, along with reports that there will be enough Democratic votes to avoid a US government shutdown, boost investors' confidence. This is evident from a generally positive tone around the equity markets, which, along with some follow-through US Dollar (USD) buying for the third straight day, acts as a headwind for the safe-haven precious metal. However, the growing market acceptance that the Federal Reserve...
Oil prices rebounded on Friday to recover some of their more than 1% losses in the previous session, partly due to diminishing prospects of a quick end to the Ukraine war that could bring back more Russian energy supplies. Brent crude futures rose 46 cents, or 0.7%, to $70.34 a barrel by 0406 GMT after settling 1.5% lower in the previous session. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude was at $67.03 a barrel, up 48 cents, or 0.7%, after closing down 1.7% on Thursday. Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that Moscow supported a U.S. proposal for a ceasefire in Ukraine in principle,...
GBP/USD continues its decline for the second straight session, trading near 1.2940 during Friday's Asian session. The pair faces challenges as the Pound Sterling (GBP) struggles amid weakened risk sentiment, exacerbated by concerns over global trade after US President Donald Trump threatened a 200% tariff on European wines and champagne, unsettling markets. Traders now await the UK's monthly Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and factory data for January, set for release on Friday. Investors will closely watch the UK GDP figures as the Bank of England (BoE) has expressed concerns over the...