The dollar index held steady around 106.3 on Thursday after experiencing increased volatility in the previous session as investors continued to assess the outlook for Federal Reserve monetary policy. On Wednesday, Fed Chair Jerome Powell indicated that the central bank was in no rush to cut interest rates, citing stronger-than-expected growth, a strong labor market and persistent inflation pressures. Meanwhile, data showed that U.S. service sector growth slowed more than anticipated in November. The probability of a 25 basis point rate cut in December increased to about 79%, up from 66.5%...
Gold price (XAU/USD) drifts lower during the Asian session on Thursday, albeit it remains confined in a familiar range held over the past week or so amid mixed fundamental cues. The overnight hawkish remarks by FOMC members, including Federal Reserve (Fed) Chair Jerome Powell, reaffirmed expectations that the US central bank will take a cautious stance on cutting rates. This assists the US Treasury bond yields to rebound slightly from their lowest closing levels in more than a month and turns out to be a key factor undermining the non-yielding yellow metal. Apart from this, the prevalent...
Silver (XAG/USD) prices moved lower to around $31.20, snapping a two-day winning streak during the early European session on Thursday. The Federal Reserve's (Fed) cautious stance on rate cuts weighed on the white metal. Federal Chairman Jerome Powell said on Wednesday that the strength of the US economy means the US central bank can afford to be "a little more cautious" about its decisions on interest rate moves. Joseph Brusuelas, chief economist at RSM US, noted that he does not expect further rate cuts after the December meeting until March 2025 at the earliest. Increasing bets of a less...