The Japanese yen exchange rate fell to around 155.7 per US dollar on Tuesday (December 2nd) after strengthening for three sessions. This weakening occurred because many traders chose to take profits from the previous rally. Previously, the yen had strengthened due to growing speculation that the Bank of Japan (BOJ) could raise interest rates in the near future, signaling a possible change in its monetary policy direction. Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama said that the government and the BOJ share a similar economic outlook. He also emphasized the importance of close coordination between...
Gold (XAU/USD) remains depressed through the early European session on Monday, though it manages to defend the $4,200 mark amid mixed fundamental cues. A generally positive tone around the equity markets undermines demand for traditional safe-haven assets and drags the precious metal away from its highest level since October 20, touched on Monday. However, dovish US Federal Reserve (Fed) expectations act as a tailwind for the non-yielding yellow metal and help limit further losses. Investors now seem convinced that the US central bank will lower borrowing costs again at its upcoming policy...
Oil prices held firm on Tuesday as traders weighed up risks from Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian energy sites and mounting U.S.-Venezuela tension. Brent crude futures fell 19 cents, or 0.3%, to $62.98 a barrel by 0903 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude was down 12 cents, or 0.2%, to stand at $20 a barrel. Both benchmarks advanced more than 1% on Monday, while WTI was near a two-week high. While prompt prices seemed rangebound, the geopolitical risk premium seems to have built again due to the situations around the Black Sea and Venezuela, said Ole Hansen, head of commodity...