Gold (XAU/USD) edged higher to trade around $2,630 on Tuesday (3/12) after comments from a Federal Reserve (Fed) speaker raised the possibility of the Fed cutting interest rates at its December policy meeting. Lower interest rates are positive for Gold as they reduce the opportunity cost of holding non-interest-paying assets. Rising geopolitical risks can also support Gold amid ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, now exacerbated by the outbreak of civil war in Syria, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and political risks in France. During times of crisis, investors turn to Gold for...
Gold moved higher mid-afternoon on Tuesday as the dollar weakened. Gold for February delivery was last seen up US$8.50 to US$2,667.00 per ounce. The precious metal has been mostly rangebound since correcting from a record high of US$2,800.80 on Oct.30, as the dollar surged following the U.S. election and inflation remains stuck above the Federal Reserve's 2% target. However the dollar eased early on Tuesday, with the ICE dollar index last seen down 0.35 points to 106.1. Treasury yields were mixed. The U.S. two-year note was last seen paying 4.159%, down 3.3 basis points, while the yield...
Oil prices rose more than 2% on Tuesday as Israel threatened to attack the Lebanese state if its truce with Hezbollah collapses, and as investors positioned for OPEC+ to announce an extension of supply cuts this week. Brent crude futures posted their biggest gains in two weeks, rising by $1.79, or 2.5%, to settle at $73.62 a barrel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures also rose the most since Nov. 18, gaining $1.84, or 2.7%, to close at $69.94 per barrel. Israeli forces have continued strikes against what they say are Hezbollah fighters ignoring last week's truce agreement in...