Oil prices climbed about 2% on Friday to settle at a three-week high, on expectations that additional sanctions on Russia and Iran could tighten supplies and that lower interest rates in Europe and the U.S. could boost fuel demand. Brent futures rose $1.08, or 1.5%, to settle at $74.49 a barrel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude rose $1.27, or 1.8%, to settle at $71.29. That was Brent's highest close since Nov. 22 and put the contract up 5% for the week. WTI posted a 6% gain for the week and closed at its highest since Nov. 7. Source: Reuters
Gold edged up in early Asian trade on Monday (12/16). Investors are focused on this week's Federal Reserve meeting, Pepperstone's Quasar Elizundia wrote in an email. While markets are expecting a 25 bps rate cut, the Fed's economic projections and the ‘dot plot' could provide more clarity on the outlook for monetary policy in 2025, Elizundia said. Gold faces a challenging medium-term outlook with its price action closely tied to expectations for monetary policy and its impact on bond yields. The ability of central banks to manage inflation will be critical in shaping gold's future...
Oil prices were steady on Monday after a weekly gain as the U.S. signaled tighter sanctions on Russian crude and Chinese authorities vowed to shore up the country's economy. Brent crude traded above $74 a barrel after rising nearly 5% last week, while West Texas Intermediate crude neared $71. The U.S. and its allies could consider lowering the price cap on Russian crude to further limit Moscow's ability to fund its war in Ukraine, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said in an interview with Reuters. Crude has been stuck in a tight range since mid-October, with geopolitical concerns tempered...