Gold prices fell on Tuesday (December 16th), as investors became more cautious ahead of crucial US jobs and inflation data, which could provide clues to Federal Reserve policy heading into the new year. Spot gold prices fell 0.3% to $4,290.33 an ounce, as of 06:37 GMT. Bullion has gained 64% since the start of the year, breaking several records along the way. US gold futures fell 0.4% to $4,316.40. "We're right near the previous high around $4,380 from mid-October. So the market is essentially asking whether there's enough conviction to break higher, or whether this is the level where...
The Hang Seng plunged 551 points, or 2.2%, to close at 24,220 on Thursday, ending a two-session winning streak amid broad-based losses. The index fell from a three-year peak as traders took profits. Modest gains in US futures failed to lift sentiment after Beijing's latest plan to boost consumption and stabilize stock and real estate markets lacked clarity on timing and scale. Concerns also grew after Fitch Ratings warned that higher US tariffs, including a projected effective rate of 35% on Chinese goods, could shave 1 ppt off China's GDP by 2026. Fitch also forecast global growth to slow...
European markets were mixed at the open on Thursday, as investors awaited monetary policy announcements from the Bank of England, the Swiss National Bank and Sweden's Riksbank. The regional Stoxx 600 was near the flatline in early trade. The index has closed higher for the past four sessions, recovering from a 1.22% loss last week. Germany's DAX gave up gains on Wednesday as investors appeared to "buy the rumor, sell the fact" after lawmakers voted to allow exemptions to its debt rules, unlocking hundreds of billions in defense, infrastructure and climate spending. The potential reforms...
Stocks rallied on Wednesday, with the S&P 500 clawing back more of the rout since late February that took the benchmark briefly into correction territory, as the Federal Reserve forecast it would still cut interest rates two times in 2025. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 383.32 points, or 0.92%, and closed at 41,964.63. The S&P 500 jumped 1.08% to end at 5,675.29, and the Nasdaq Composite advanced 1.41% to settle at 17,750.79. The central bank kept the federal funds rate at a range of 4.25% to 4.5%, a decision that was widely expected. That said, the Fed kept its outlook...
The Federal Reserve in a closely watched decision Wednesday held the line on benchmark interest rates though still indicated that reductions are likely later in the year. Faced with pressing concerns over the impact tariffs will have on a slowing economy, the rate-setting Federal Open Market Committee kept its key borrowing rate targeted in a range between 4.25%-4.5%, where it has been since December. Markets had been pricing in virtually zero chance of a move at this week's two-day policy meeting. Along with the decision, officials updated their rate and economic projections for this year...
European stock markets were mixed on Wednesday following recent strong gains as investors digested the historic debt reforms in Germany and assessed regional inflation data ahead of the latest Federal Reserve policy-setting meeting. The DAX index in Germany dropped 0.4% on Wednesday. However, the FTSE 100 in the UK climbed 0.1%, while the CAC 40 in France gained 0.7%. German debt vote passes Germany's lower house of parliament, the Bundestag, voted in favor of several changes to the country's constitution that would allow for a loosening in fiscal rules and pave the way for new investments...
The S&P 500 rose on Wednesday as investors awaited a policy announcement from the Federal Reserve later in the day. The broad market index was trading 0.7% higher, while the Nasdaq Composite was up about 1%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 236 points, or about 0.6%. The Fed is scheduled to deliver its latest policy decision at 2 p.m. ET. While the Fed is widely expected to hold rates steady, investors will be looking to see if the central bank maintains its outlook for two rate cuts this year. They will also be listening to Fed Chair Jerome Powell for clues on how he sees the...
Stocks in Europe declined on Wednesday (19/3), with the STOXX 50 falling 0.4% and the STOXX 600 down 0.3%, snapping a three-session winning streak. Investors weighed Germany's historic constitutional amendment vote, developments on a potential ceasefire in Ukraine, ongoing tariff concerns, and key monetary policy updates. In Germany, the Bundestag approved an expected amendment to the debt brake, which will allow increased fiscal spending on infrastructure and defense. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to a limited ceasefire halting attacks on Ukraine's energy...
The Hang Seng rose 30 points or 0.12% to close at 24,771 on Wednesday, marking its second day of gains and remaining at its highest level in three years, driven largely by financial stocks. Traders prepared for the US Fed's interest rate decision later in the day. While the central bank is expected to keep borrowing costs, an anticipated press briefing by Chair Powell may offer more insights into the economic outlook. In China, the PBoC is expected to hold key lending rates at record lows in its monthly review Thursday. However, further gains were capped by a caution from BofA Securities,...
Gold rises in the early Asian trade. There's a broad commodities uptrend, driven by macro uncertainty, a weaker dollar, and persistent demand for "hard" assets, says Fawad Razaqzada, market analyst...
Oil extended declines after OPEC+ agreed to a bigger-than-expected production increase next month, raising concerns about oversupply just as US tariffs fan fears about the demand outlook.
Brent...
The Japanese Yen (JPY) weakened against its US counterpart and reversed part of Friday's recovery from the lowest level since July 23 following Bank of Japan (BOJ) Governor Kazuo Ueda's remarks....