Oil prices fell on Friday (December 19th) and are expected to post a second straight weekly decline as potential oversupply and the prospect of a Russia-Ukraine peace deal outweigh concerns over disruptions caused by a Venezuelan oil tanker blockade. Brent crude futures fell 17 cents, or 0.28%, to $59.65 a barrel at 0915 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures fell 31 cents, or 0.55%, to $55.84. On a weekly basis, Brent and WTI benchmarks fell 2.4% and 2.8%, respectively. Analysts widely project a global oil oversupply next year, driven by increased production from the...
US President Donald Trump called for the evacuation of Iran's capital, Tehran, on Monday, hours after urging the country's leaders to accept a deal to curb its nuclear program as Israel signaled that attacks would continue, according to Bloomberg "Iran should sign the 'deal' I asked them to sign," Trump wrote in a social media post from a Group of Seven leaders summit in Alberta, Canada. "What a disgrace, and a waste of human lives. Simply put, IRAN SHOULD NOT HAVE NUCLEAR WEAPONS. I've said it over and over again! Everyone should evacuate Tehran immediately!" (alg) Source: FXstreet
With just days to go until the Federal Reserve delivers its rate decision due Wednesday, expectations for the Fed to lean more dovish are gaining traction following a string of cooler inflation reports but Barclays is pushing back, warning it's much too early for a Fed pivot as tariff-induced inflation is just a matter of time. "Although May's inflation estimates were soft, we retain our view that it is just a matter of time until cost-push pressures from tariffs feed through to consumer prices," Barclays' analysts said, cautioning, "we do not expect the FOMC will take much signal" from the...
Iran called on U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday to force Israel to cease fire as the only way to end the four-day-old aerial war, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his country was on the "path to victory". Israeli forces stepped up their bombardment of Iranian cities, while Iran proved capable of piercing Israeli air defences with one of its most successful volleys yet of retaliatory missile strikes. "If President Trump is genuine about diplomacy and interested in stopping this war, next steps are consequential," Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on...
European Union Council President Antonio Costa called for a "constructive position" with the United States on trade tariffs to prevent a trade war, speaking on Monday ahead of a G7 meeting in Canada. Costa emphasized that if the EU faced discriminatory measures, it would need to respond, noting that "the European Commission is prepared to respond, particularly in trade matters." "We have to keep nerves of steel. I have great hope that, in the end, some line of rationality will guide political action... as no tariff will increase U.S. exports of goods or services to Europe," Costa said in a...
Iran launched a new attack on Israel on Sunday night, with explosions seen in the coastal city of Haifa. Israel began further attacks on military targets in Iran, despite international calls for diplomacy and de-escalation, according to CNN. Local officials in both countries reported at least 224 deaths in Iran and 14 in Israel, while Iran's Health Ministry said at least 1,277 people have been injured since Israel launched a wave of attacks on Friday. In addition, Iran's semi-official Mehr News reported on Sunday that the fourth phase of Iran's operations against Israel had begun. Iranian...
US President Donald Trump said on Sunday that the United States will continue to support Israel, adding that he hopes there will be a deal between Iran and Israel but that they have to fight. Trump opposed Israel's plan to assassinate Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as the US president preferred to keep the US out of the fray for now. Key quotes Says he hopes there will be a deal between Iran and Israel, but sometimes you have to fight. Says he would not say whether he has asked Israel to stop attacks on Iran. Says the US will continue to support Israel in its...
The University of Michigan's preliminary consumer sentiment survey for June rose to 60.5 vs. 52.2 the previous month Median estimate 53.6; range 50.5 to 57.0 from 46 estimates Expectations index rose to 58.4 vs. 47.9 last month Current economic conditions index rose to 63.7 vs. 58.9 last month Median expected price change over the next year fell to 5.1% after 6.6% Largest one-month decline since 2001 Median expected price change over the next 5-10 years fell to 4.1% after 4.2%(alg) Source: Bloomberg
"There is still time to end this carnage, with the next attack already planned to be even more brutal," President Donald Trump said in a post on Truth Social. Says Iran must make a deal "before it's too late" Says he has told Iran to make a deal but they "can't do it"(alg) Source: Bloomberg
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....