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...
Oil headed for a back-to-back daily gain after US data showed the world's largest economy holding up despite the fallout from the Washington-led trade war, while market metrics pointed to near-term tightness. Global benchmark Brent rose toward $70 a barrel after adding more than 1% in the previous session, while West Texas Intermediate was near $68. In wider markets, strong US data eased concerns about the economy, helping to underpin a risk-on mood and global equity rally. Asian stocks advanced. Crude futures, as well as those for gasoil, remain in backwardation in the nearer months of...
Silver price (XAG/USD) holds mild losses after two days of gains, trading around $38.20 per troy ounce during the Asian hours on Friday. The non-interest-bearing Silver attracts some sellers as the upbeat economic data from the United States (US) has dampened the likelihood of the Federal Reserve (Fed) easing monetary policy. It is important to note that higher interest rates make precious metal Silver less attractive for investors seeking higher returns. US Retail Sales rose by 0.6% month-over-month in June versus -0.9% prior. This figure came in above the market consensus of 0.1%....
EUR/USD recovers its recent losses registered in the previous day, trading around 1.1630 during the Asian hours on Friday. The pair appreciates as the US Dollar (USD) loses ground amid easing risk sentiment following the dovish remarks from Federal Reserve (Fed) officials. Moreover, Financial markets are now pricing in a September starting date for rate cuts, and Fed officials penciled in two easing moves later this year, according to Reuters. San Francisco Fed President Mary Daly stated that two rate cuts this year are a "reasonable" outlook, while cautioning against waiting too long....
GBP/USD gains ground after registering small losses in the previous session, trading around 1.3440 during the Asian hours on Friday. The pair appreciates as the US Dollar (USD) edges lower due to dovish remarks from the Federal Reserve (Fed) officials. San Francisco Fed President Mary Daly said that expecting two rate cuts this year is a "reasonable" outlook, while warning against waiting too long. Daly added that rates will eventually settle at 3% or higher, which is higher than the pre-pandemic neutral rate. Fed Governor Christopher Waller said late Thursday that he believes that the US...
Oil prices were little changed on Friday after rising in the previous session as concerns drone attacks on northern Iraqi oil fields will cut supply vied with worries of potential demand declines amid uncertainty in U.S. tariff policy. Brent crude futures eased 4 cents, or 0.06%, to $69.48 a barrel as of 0239 GMT, U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures edged down 3 cents, or 0.04%, to $67.51 a barrel. Four days of drone attacks on oil fields in Iraqi Kurdistan that shut down half of the region's output have supported prices, pushing both contracts up $1 on Thursday. Additionally,...
The Australian dollar strengthened to around $0.651 on Friday, recouping some losses in the previous session, as a surge in iron ore prices, driven by renewed optimism over Chinese economic support, lifted demand for the commodity-linked currency. The rally in iron ore came as China's June import volumes hit a 2025 high, reflecting strong restocking demand and expectations of further policy support for infrastructure and property. Traders grew more optimistic after Chinese authorities signaled fresh stimulus measures, including targeted credit easing and fiscal aid to boost construction...
The dollar edged lower against most Group-of-10 peers after Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller said the central bank should cut rates at its next meeting. Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index slipped 0.1%, while the yield on 2-year Treasuries fell two basis points to 3.88% With limited risk to price pressures and inflation within target, the Fed shouldn't wait until the labor market deteriorates before it cuts, Waller said in the text of a speech. "I believe it makes sense to cut the FOMC's policy rate by 25 basis points two weeks from now" NOTE: Traders are pricing effectively...
Gold steadied and was set for a moderate weekly loss as investors assessed the outlook for Federal Reserve rate cuts after resilient US jobs and retail data eased concerns about the economy. Bullion traded below $3,340 an ounce in early Asian hours, heading for a 0.5% drop on the week. That came after data that showed applications for unemployment benefits fell for a fifth straight week to the lowest level since mid-April, and advancing retail sales in June. San Francisco Fed President Mary Daly said she still thinks it's reasonable for policymakers to plan on two interest-rate cuts this...
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....