US Stocks plunged on Friday, as investors reacted to a weak July jobs report and a fresh round of tariffs announced by President Trump. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq fell 1.6% and 2.2%, their steepest drops since April, while the Dow lost 542 points. Payrolls rose by just 73,000 in July, far below expectations, with sharp downward revisions to prior months signaling deeper labor market weakness. Treasury yields fell and the odds of a September Fed rate cut rose above 80%. Sentiment worsened after new tariffs of 10% to 41% were imposed on imports from key partners including Canada, India, and...
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
Gold faces a two-way risk in 2025, with the Fed's monetary policy decisions, Trump's economic and foreign policies, and geopolitical developments becoming the main drivers. Bearish scenarioA de-escalation of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and/or a resolution to the Russia-Ukraine crisis could trigger a sharp downward correction in Gold prices, given how much the precious metal benefited from these conflicts throughout 2024. Trump's "America First" approach suggests that his administration will be focused on domestic policies and possibly not prioritize international affairs. In...