European shares closed higher on Tuesday, buoyed by better-than-expected corporate earnings and renewed optimism that the Federal Reserve may cut interest rates next month. The pan-European STOXX 600 index edged up 0.15%, with most regional bourses also trading in the green. Earnings season, in full swing, offered some relief for investors concerned about the impact of trade uncertainty on corporate performance. Diageo gained 4.9% after the world's biggest spirits maker forecast flat 2026 sales despite U.S. tariffs and upped its cost-savings target. The stock boosted the food &...
The AUD/USD pair moved up in the European session on Friday (7/2) but continues to face pressure near 0.6300. The Australian currency pair moved sideways as investors await the US Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP) data for January, due to be published at 13:30 GMT. Market participants will be closely focused on the employment data, which will provide clues on how long the Federal Reserve (Fed) will keep interest rates steady between 4.25% and 4.50%. The US economy added 170,000 jobs last month, down from 256,000 in December, according to estimates. The Unemployment Rate is expected to remain steady...
Crude oil prices rose early Friday, but remain on track for a third straight week of declines as U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff announcements and a potential trade war with China weigh on the market. Brent crude gained 0.7% to US$74.81/barrel and West Texas Intermediate crude increased 0.7% to US$71.07/b at last look. Oil prices found some support from the U.S. Treasury's announcement of new sanctions on a few individuals and tankers helping to ship Iranian crude to China, Reuters said in a Friday report. "Oil prices saw some stability return this morning following a volatile...
Gold's price (XAU/USD) edges higher and trades back up near $2,865 at the time of writing on Friday after its rather sluggish performance the previous day. The pickup in the rally comes ahead of the US Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP) report later in the day. A weaker number would benefit Gold, with rate cut odds from the Federal Reserve (Fed) increasing. Meanwhile, headlines emerged on Friday that China's central bank, the People's Bank of China (PBOC), has expanded its Gold reserves for a third month in a row. Even at fresh all-time high prices, the central bank bought roughly 0.16...
Silver held steady above $32.20 an ounce on Friday, on track for its fifth weekly gain in six years. The precious metal was supported by a weaker dollar, as concerns over escalating global trade tensions eased. Both the U.S. and China have taken a more cautious stance on tariffs, with U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping set to discuss trade developments, potentially reversing some of the existing restrictions. Silver is also benefiting from expectations that the U.S. Federal Reserve will continue to cut interest rates this year, with markets anticipating two...
Gold (XAU/USD) prices surrendered most of its intraday gains heading into the European session on Friday (February 7), although remained close to the record highs touched earlier this week. The US Dollar (USD) moved higher amid some repositioning trade ahead of the release of the US Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP) report, which in turn, was seen as a key factor acting as a headwind for the commodity. That said, concerns over escalating US-China trade tensions and the economic impact of US President Donald Trump's trade policies might continue to act as a tailwind for the safe-haven Gold prices....