Oil prices stabilized on Thursday (February 12th), as the market reassigned a risk premium to US-Iran tensions despite US inventory data showing swelling domestic supplies. This movement confirms one thing: geopolitical headlines are still more "noise" than signals of a short-term surplus. As of 3:50 PM WIB, Brent was at $69.60/barrel (+0.29%) and WTI was at $64.83/barrel (+0.31%). The gains were moderate, but enough to keep prices near the psychological $70 level for Brent. From a geopolitical perspective, market focus is on the potential for escalation in the Middle East. Recent reports...
The Japanese Yen (JPY) seesaws between tepid gains/minor losses against its American counterpart through the early European session on Monday amid mixed fundamental cues. The prevalent risk-on environment, along with the uncertainty over the likely timing of the next interest rate hike by the Bank of Japan (BoJ), is seen undermining the safe-haven JPY. However, the divergent BoJ-Federal Reserve (Fed) policy expectations hold back the JPY bears from placing aggressive bets. Investors seem convinced that the BoJ will raise interest rates by the end of this year. In contrast, the US central...
Oil prices fell in Asian trade on Monday, extending declines of more than 4% last week as investors awaited the outcome of talks between the U.S. and Russia later this week on the war in Ukraine. Brent crude futures fell 62 cents, or 0.93%, to $65.97 a barrel by 0631 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures were down 69 cents, or 1.08%, to $63.19. Expectations have risen for a potential end to sanctions that have limited the supply of Russian oil to international markets, after U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday that he would meet Russian President Vladimir Putin on...
Gold prices slipped on Monday as market participants focussed on U.S.-Russia talks on the war in Ukraine, and July inflation data that could offer more insight into the Federal Reserve's interest rate outlook. Spot gold was down 0.6% at $3,378.49 per ounce, as of 0521 GMT, after hitting its highest since July 23 on Friday. U.S. gold futures for December delivery dropped 1.4% to $3,441.20. "Cooling geopolitical tensions surrounding the war in Ukraine saw gold fall further, following Friday's announcement that President Donald Trump will meet with Vladimir Putin on the U.S. soil," City...
USD/CHF weakened after two days of gains, trading around 0.8060 during the Asian session on Monday (August 11th). The currency pair weakened amid increasing likelihood that the Fed will deliver multiple interest rate cuts later this year. US consumer inflation data due Tuesday, followed by preliminary UK Q2 GDP data and the US Producer Price Index (PPI) due Thursday, will be in focus to provide further impetus for the US economy. The US Dollar Index (DXY), which measures the value of the US dollar (USD) against six major currencies, retraced its recent gains and was trading around 98.00 at...
Silver prices (XAG/USD) slipped in Asian trading on Monday (August 11th), ending a six-day winning streak. The white metal traded near $38.10 per ounce, pressured by a strengthening US dollar, investor profit-taking, and optimism regarding a potential truce in the trade war between the United States and China. This combination of factors reduced interest in safe-haven assets like silver. Market participants' focus is now on developments in trade negotiations between the world's two largest economies, particularly ahead of the deadline for imposing additional tariffs. US Secretary of...
The US Dollar Index (DXY) weakened in early trading on Monday (August 11th), retracing earlier gains and trading around the 98.00 level during the Asian session. This weakening reflects increased market caution ahead of the release of key economic data, particularly US consumer inflation on Tuesday, as well as preliminary UK second-quarter GDP data and the US Producer Price Index (PPI) on Thursday. Pressure on the greenback increased following a series of weak US economic data. Higher initial jobless claims and a below-expected July Nonfarm Payrolls report reinforced speculation that the...
Gold prices weakened in trading on Monday (August 11th) as easing geopolitical tensions reduced demand for safe-haven assets. Market participants are now shifting their attention to US consumer inflation data scheduled for release on Tuesday, which is expected to provide clues to the Federal Reserve's future interest rate policy. Spot gold fell 0.7% to $3,376.67 per ounce at 02:48 GMT, while US gold futures for December delivery fell 1.5% to $3,439.70. Pressure on gold prices emerged following the announcement that US President Donald Trump would meet Russian President Vladimir Putin on...
Global crude oil prices fell at the start of this week after posting their biggest weekly decline since late June. This decline comes ahead of a crucial meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin next Friday, which has raised hopes of a peace deal to end the war in Ukraine. Brent prices are trading near $66 per barrel after falling 4.4% last week, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) is holding steady above $63. The market responded to Trump's statement that he did not announce additional sanctions against Russia or tariffs on Russian energy buyers when...
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....