The dollar index hovered around 103.3 on Wednesday as investors awaited the Federal Reserve's latest policy decision, with the central bank widely expected to keep interest rates unchanged. Market focus will be on the Fed's quarterly updates on rate projections and its outlook for growth, inflation, and unemployment. Meanwhile, the dollar remained near five-month lows as President Donald Trump's aggressive tariff policies fueled economic uncertainty. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Fox News that while the US economy remains fundamentally strong, he could not rule out the possibility...
Oil prices fell on Wednesday after Russia agreed to U.S. President Donald Trump's proposal that Moscow and Kyiv stop attacking each other's energy infrastructure temporarily, which could lead to more Russian oil entering global markets. Brent crude futures fell 19 cents, or 0.3%, to $70.37 a barrel by 0420 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude (WTI) was down 20 cents, or 0.3%, to $66.70. Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed on Tuesday to stop attacking Ukrainian energy facilities but stopped short of endorsing a full 30-day ceasefire that Trump hoped for. Russia is one of the world's...
Gold price (XAU/USD) touches a fresh all-time peak, around the $3,039 region during the Asian session on Wednesday, though it lacks follow-through as traders opt to wait for the outcome of a two-day FOMC policy meeting. The Federal Reserve (Fed) is scheduled to announce its decision later today and is expected to keep the federal funds rate unchanged at the current range of 4.25% to 4.50%. Hence, the focus will be on updated economic projections and Fed Chair Jerome Powell's comments at the post-meeting press conference. Investors will look for cues about the future rate-cut path, which, in...