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 prices ticked up on Tuesday on concerns about supply, with Iran set to reject a U.S. nuclear deal proposal that would be key to easing sanctions on the major oil producer, while weakness in the dollar also supported prices. Brent crude futures gained 21 cents, or 0.32%, to $64.84 a barrel by 0437 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude was up 27 cents, or 0.43%, to $62.79 a barrel, after rising about 1% earlier in the session. The oil market surged higher on Monday as rising geopolitical risks and a supply hike from OPEC+ that fell short of expectations provided a boost, said ING...
The GBP/USD pair attracts some sellers during the Asian session on Tuesday and erodes a part of the overnight strong move up to the 1.3560 area, or a multi-day peak. Spot prices drop to the 1.3515 area, or a fresh daily low in the last hour amid a modest US Dollar (USD) uptick, though the fundamental backdrop warrants some caution for bearish traders. The USD Index (DXY), which tracks the Greenback against a basket of currencies, rebounds from a six-week trough touched on Monday and turns out to be a key factor exerting downward pressure on the GBP/USD pair. Any meaningful USD appreciation,...
Gold price (XAU/USD) retreats from the vicinity of the $3,400 round-figure mark, or a nearly four-week peak touched during the Asian session on Tuesday and erodes a part of the previous day's strong gains. A modest US Dollar (USD) recovery from the lowest level since April 22 is seen as a key factor exerting some pressure on the commodity. Apart from this, a generally positive tone around the equity markets seems to undermine demand for the safe-haven precious metal. However, persistent trade-related uncertainties and rising geopolitical tensions might keep a lid on any optimism in the...
The Silver price (XAG/USD) faces some selling pressure to around $34.15 after retreating from a nearly seven-month high during the Asian trading hours on Tuesday. The white metal loses ground due to some profit-taking amid easing trade tensions. A generally positive tone around the equity markets weighs on the safe-haven assets, including the white metal. US President Donald Trump planned to double import tariffs on steel and aluminum, starting on Wednesday. On the same day, the Trump administration asked its trade partners to submit their best offers in order to finalize deals before...
EUR/USD edges lower after registering over 0.50% gains in the previous session, trading around 1.1420 during the Asian hours on Tuesday. The US Dollar (USD) recovers its ground on technical correction, despite growing concerns regarding stagflation in the United States (US). Traders will likely observe Eurozone Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) data scheduled to be released on Tuesday. Focus will shift toward the release of the JOLTS Job Openings later in the North American session. US President Donald Trump threatened on Friday to double import tariffs on steel and aluminium,...
The Japanese yen weakened past 143 per dollar on Tuesday, snapping a three-day winning streak, even as Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda signaled a willingness to raise interest rates if economic and price momentum picks up. Ueda emphasized that Japan's economy is undergoing a moderate recovery, supported by solid business sentiment and improving corporate profits, despite some pockets of weakness. The currency also came under external pressure as the US dollar rebounded, with markets largely shrugging off weak US economic data and renewed global trade tensions. President Donald Trump's...
The Australian dollar weakened to around $0.647 on Tuesday, reversing sharp gains from the previous session, after Australia's central bank revealed it had considered an outsized rate cut last month. During its May policy meeting, the central bank signaled that policymakers had considered a bold 50 bps cut as a form of "insurance" against mounting global trade risks but ultimately opted for a more cautious 25 bps reduction. Still, markets are now pricing in roughly a 70% chance of another rate cut at the next RBA meeting, although many analysts expect the central bank to wait for Q2...
Oil prices rose in Asian trade on Tuesday, extending sharp gains from the prior session as uncertainty over a U.S.-Iran nuclear deal and worsening tensions between Ukraine and Russia heralded more potential supply disruptions. Gains in oil came after recent wildfires in Canada's oil-producing province, Alberta, stood to impact output. Markets were also cheered by the Organization for Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies (OPEC+) agreeing to increase production in line with market expectations. A deadly drone strike by Ukraine against Russia also ramped up concerns over more geopolitical...
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....