The Hang Seng climbed 226 points or 0.9% to end at 24,733 on Monday, snapping a four-session dip as all sectors gained. Traders looked ahead to developments on the U.S.-China trade truce, set to expire on August 12. Meanwhile, U.S. Treasury Secretary Bessent said Washington is optimistic about reaching a deal with China, following recent trade talks in Stockholm. Separately, China's top leaders pledged to support the economy and rein in "disorderly competition" during last week's Politburo meeting. Beijing also confirmed its fourth plenum will be held in October, likely focusing on the next...
Gold rose to its highest in a month after a surprise slowdown in U.S. inflation revived expectations for a Federal Reserve interest rate cut this year. Bullion traded at more than $2,700 an ounce after the consumer price index — which excludes food and energy costs — rose 0.2% after a 0.3% increase over four months. That suggests U.S. officials may have room to ease policy sooner than previously thought. Source: Bloomberg
The U.S. dollar steadied on Thursday despite the sharp fall in U.S. bond yields after Wednesday's inflation data as market focus shifted to Donald Trump's presidential inauguration and possible inflationary impact of his policies. Meanwhile the yen rose against the dollar and the euro as investors expected the Bank of Japan to hike rates next week. Core U.S. inflation dipped to 0.2% month-on-month in December from 0.3% in November, as expected, while the annualised 4.2% reading came below the 3.3% forecast. Traders who have been growing more worried about inflation responded with relief,...
Oil prices gained for a second session on Thursday, supported by worries over potential supply disruptions amid U.S. sanctions on Russia, a larger-than-forecast fall in U.S. crude oil stocks, and an improving global demand outlook. Brent crude futures rose 23 cents, or 0.3%, to $82.26 per barrel by 0731 GMT, after rising 2.6% in the previous session to their highest since July 26 last year. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures rose 28 cents, or 0.4%, to $80.32 a barrel, after gaining 3.3% on Wednesday to their highest since July 19. U.S. crude oil stocks fell last week to their...
Silver prices (XAG/USD) rose on Thursday, according to FXStreet data. Silver trades at $30.90 per troy ounce, up 0.61% from the $30.71 it cost on Wednesday. Silver prices have increased by 6.94% since the beginning of the year. Source: Fxstreet
Gold price (XAU/USD) seesaws between tepid gains/minor losses through the early European session and consolidates its recent gains to over a one-month peak touched this Thursday. Growing acceptance that the Federal Reserve (Fed) will pause its rate-cutting cycle late this month assists the US Dollar (USD) to move away from a one-week low touched on Wednesday. This, along with the prevalent risk-on mood, turns out to be a key factors acting as a headwind for the safe-haven precious metal. That said, signs of abating inflationary pressures in the US suggest that the Fed may not necessarily...