Oil futures eased from multi-week highs as traders took profits while awaiting the Federal Reserve meeting later this week for clues on further interest rate cuts. However, the declines were capped by concerns about supply disruptions if further U.S. sanctions on key suppliers Russia and Iran are imposed. Brent crude futures were down 29 cents, or 0.4%, at $74.20 a barrel by 0746 GMT after hitting their highest since Nov. 22 on Friday. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures were down 36 cents, or 0.5%, at $70.93 a barrel after hitting their highest close since Nov. 7 in the previous...
The dollar hovered close to a three-week peak versus major peers on Monday, ahead of a week of central bank meetings in which markets expect the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates but signal a measured pace of easing for 2025 Bitcoin soared above $105,000 for the first time, buoyed by signs President-elect Donald Trump will go ahead with a potential strategic bitcoin reserve. The euro was up 0.13% on the day at $1.0517, after dipping to $1.0453 at the end of last week, its weakest since Nov. 26, hampered by ratings agency Moody's (NYSE:MCO) unexpectedly downgrading France on...
Gold edged higher ahead of the Federal Reserve's final interest rate decision of the year, with traders also weighing the outlook for 2025 policy. The bullion's gains followed a 2.6% decline in the previous two sessions on the back of mixed U.S. data last week — including rising wholesale inflation and higher-than-expected jobless claims. The Fed is widely expected to cut rates by 25 basis points at its meeting on Wednesday, and swaps traders are pricing in a total of three quarter-point cuts over the next 12 months. Lower interest rates are usually positive for gold, since it doesn't pay...