Oil prices continued their rally amid growing concerns that Ukrainian drone attacks could disrupt oil flows through Russia's two most important crude export hubs on the Baltic coast. Brent crude rose above $67 per barrel, after falling 1.7% on Thursday. The attacks have halted operations at Primorsk, the region's main oil loading port, and three pumping stations that deliver crude to the Ust-Luga hub, a source familiar with the situation said. This increased risk premium offsets the International Energy Agency's (IEA) projection for a record-breaking oil supply surplus next year. The IEA's...
Oil prices rose on Friday but fell for the biggest weekly drop since October as uncertainty over U.S. tariff policy raised concerns about demand growth at a time when major producers are preparing to increase output. Brent crude futures rose 50 cents, or 0.72%, to settle at $69.96 a barrel by 0746 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures rose 47 cents, or 0.71%, to settle at $66.83 a barrel. But Brent fell 4.9% for the week, its biggest weekly drop since the week of Oct. 14. WTI is set to drop 4.8%, also its biggest weekly drop since that week. Markets, including oil, have been...
The US Dollar Index (DXY), which tracks the US Dollar (USD) against six major currencies, continues its losing streak for the fifth consecutive day, pressured by declining US Treasury yields. Market expectations of more aggressive Federal Reserve (Fed) rate cuts amid concerns over US economic growth are contributing to the weakness. The DXY is trading around 103.90 with 2- and 10-year yields on US Treasury bonds standing at 3.94% and 4.24%, respectively, during the early European hours on Friday. Traders are closely watching global trade developments, particularly Canada's decision to delay...
Gold price (XAU/USD) continues with its struggle to attract any meaningful buyers, though it manages to hold above the $2,900 mark through the Asian session on Friday. Traders now seem reluctant and opt to wait for the release of the closely-watched US monthly employment details before placing fresh directional bets, leading to subdued range-bound price action for the second straight day. The popularly known Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP) report will influence the near-term US Dollar (USD) price dynamics and provide a fresh impetus to the commodity. In the meantime, the growing acceptance that...
Silver (XAG/USD) oscillates in a narrow band during the Asian session on Friday and currently trades above mid-$32.00s, near its highest level in over a week touched the previous day. Moreover, the near-term bias seems tilted in favor of bullish traders and supports prospects for an extension of the weekly uptrend. The recent bounce from sub-$31.00 levels, nearing the 100-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA), and the fact that oscillators on the daily chart have just started gaining positive traction validate the constructive outlook for the XAG/USD. Hence, some follow-through strength...
The Japanese Yen (JPY) retains its positive bias for the third straight day against a broadly weaker US Dollar (USD) and keeps the USD/JPY pair close to its lowest level since early October during the Asian session on Friday. The growing acceptance that the Bank of Japan (BoJ) will continue to raise interest rates has been exerting upward pressure on Japanese government bond (JGB) yields. The resultant narrowing of the rate differential between Japan and other countries continues to act as a tailwind for the lower-yielding JPY. Moreover, the uncertainty surrounding US President Donald...
Gold traded around $2,900 per ounce on Friday, heading for a weekly gain, supported by its safe-haven appeal amid shifting global trade policies. While President Donald Trump paused the 25% tariffs imposed this week on most goods from Canada and Mexico, Canada's initial retaliatory tariffs remain, and China's measures take effect next week. Meanwhile, US jobs data painted a mixed picture, with the Challenger report showing layoffs surged to a 2020 high, while jobless claims dropped more than expected last week. These reports precede today's non-farm payrolls release, which could offer a...
Hong Kong stocks fell by 51 points or 0.2% to 24,324 in early trading on Friday, breaking a three-day winning streak amid losses mainly from financials. Markets pulled back from their highest in over three years following an overnight slump on Wall Street, due to uncertainty over US trade policy. This was particularly driven by President Donald Trump's decision to delay levies on Mexican and Canadian goods covered by the North American trade agreement. Also, caution grew ahead of key data from China, including January-February trade data later today, alongside CPI and PPI readings over the...
The dollar index stabilized above 104 on Friday as investors looked ahead to the highly anticipated monthly jobs report for further insights into the economy's health. The dollar also found support after President Donald Trump temporarily exempted certain Canadian and Mexican goods from the 25% tariffs imposed earlier in the week, raising hopes for additional concessions. However, the index remains on track to lose more than 3% for the week, as the escalating trade war stoked concerns about the potential negative impact on the US economy, particularly given the heavy reliance of many US...
Gold (XAU/USD) is extending its decline on Wednesday for a second consecutive day as the US Dollar (USD) and US Treasury yields firm ahead of the release of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC)...
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....