Gold prices weakened in early December, dragged down by investor caution ahead of the Federal Reserve's looming interest rate decision. Amid speculation that the Fed was ready to cut rates again this month, market participants opted to hold back, keeping gold's movements limited. Pressure from the mixed US dollar also prevented gold from posting significant gains. Despite showing some strength in the previous month, gold is now moving defensively due to ongoing global uncertainty. US economic data released in the next few days—including inflation, consumer spending, and signs of a weakening...
The dollar index weakened for a third straight day on Thursday, as markets grew increasingly confident the Federal Reserve would cut interest rates at its December meeting, ahead of the US Thanksgiving holiday. The Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index fell about 0.1% and remains on track for its third weekly decline in four weeks. The Fed's Beige Book report overnight showed US economic activity was "virtually unchanged," while consumer spending weakened, except among high-income buyers. The Beige Book also noted a slight decline in employment and only moderate price increases, bringing the...
GBP/USD accelerated into a fifth straight winning session on Wednesday, gaining another 0.55% on the day and pushing through the 1.3200 handle. Price action is now set to challenge key long-term moving averages, and the ball will remain in Cable bulls' court through the back half of the trading week. US markets are set to go functionally dark for the remainder of the week with American market participants taking Thursday and Friday off for Thanksgiving holiday celebrations. Things remain relatively quiet on the UK side of the market on the economic data docket; however, government budget...
Gold steadied, having gained nearly 1% in the previous session on growing expectations of another interest-rate cut in the US. Bullion was trading around $4,165 an ounce, supported by a series of comments by Federal Reserve policymakers that point toward further monetary easing in December. Swap traders see a roughly 80% chance of a quarter-point cut next month, with the latest US jobless claims data seen as unlikely to derail the Fed from a reduction. Reinforcing prospects for lower rates, a key economic adviser to Donald Trump is emerging as the frontrunner to be the...
Oil edged lower as investors tracked US-led efforts to end the war in Ukraine, while looking ahead to an OPEC+ gathering this weekend. West Texas Intermediate traded near $58 a barrel after rising more than 1% on Wednesday, while Brent settled just above $63. With US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff set to lead a delegation for talks in Russia next week, traders are weighing whether a deal can be struck and the implications for crude flows. OPEC and its allies, meanwhile, are set to meet Nov. 30. Eight of the group's members decided earlier this month to...
Oil prices edged higher on Wednesday (November 26th) ahead of the US Thanksgiving holiday, as US investors assessed the prospect of a supply glut and negotiations on a Russia-Ukraine peace deal. Brent crude futures rose 42 cents, or 0.67%, to $62.9 a barrel at 2:10 PM ET (7:10 PM GMT). US West Texas Intermediate crude futures rose 50 cents, or 0.86%, to $58.45. US crude inventories rose 2.8 million barrels to 426.9 million barrels last week due to a surge in imports, according to the Energy Information Administration (EIA) on Wednesday. Analysts had expected a rise of 55,000...
Gold rose to around $4,160 per ounce on Wednesday (November 26), nearing a two-week high as expectations of US policy easing weakened the dollar and reduced the opportunity cost of holding bullion. Futures and currency markets now place the odds of a 25 basis point (bps) Fed rate cut in December above 80%, and reports that Kevin Hassett is the leading candidate for Fed chair reinforced expectations of further policy easing. The mix of economic data has been uneven but consistent with policy easing, with initial jobless claims surprisingly lower and durable goods orders strengthening despite...
Oil prices stabilized on Wednesday (November 26th) after closing at a one-month low amid White House optimism about a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine, a development that could ease Moscow's oil restrictions in an already oversupplied market. West Texas Intermediate crude oil prices hovered around $58 a barrel, with volumes likely to decline ahead of Thursday's Thanksgiving holiday in the US. Steve Witkoff, US President Donald Trump's envoy, will lead a delegation for talks in Russia next week aimed at ending the nearly four-year war, a Kremlin official said. The Ukrainian leader's...
Silver (XAG/USD) rallied sharply on Wednesday, trading around $52.45 at the time of writing, up 2.00% on the day. The precious metal continued its bullish momentum, supported by the continued decline in US yields and investors shifting to non-interest-bearing assets, amid an increasingly accommodative outlook from the Federal Reserve (Fed). Market conditions remain driven by continued downward pressure on US interest rates, as Fed expectations turn more dovish. Recent comments from New York Fed President John Williams, emphasizing the need for further monetary adjustments, have reinforced...
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....