The U.S. dollar fell sharply against major peers on Friday after crucial monthly jobs data showed that American employers hired fewer workers than expected, which affirms weakening labor market conditions and likely guarantees a Federal Reserve interest rate cut. Labor Department data showed that nonfarm payrolls increased by only 22,000 jobs last month, far short of the 75,000 positions estimated by economists polled by Reuters. The dollar fell across the board following the report. It weakened 0.70% to 147.44 against the Japanese yen , but was still on track for the second straight week...
Gold prices edged higher on Monday (August 18th), boosted by lower US Treasury yields, as market participants awaited US President Donald Trump's meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and European leaders later in the day. Spot gold rose 0.4% to $3,348.28 an ounce, as of 08:40 GMT on Monday, after hitting its lowest level since August 1st. US gold futures for December delivery rose 0.3% to $3,393.40. "Gold prices are rallying again today, with the market approaching the $3,350 level (as) the combination of weak yields and a weaker dollar is certainly a breath of fresh air...
Oil prices held steady on Monday (August 18th) as traders awaited clues from the meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in their efforts to reach a peace deal to end Europe's deadliest war in 80 years. Brent crude was at $65.87 a barrel at 08:47 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude rose 9 cents, or 0.14%, to $62.89 a barrel. Trump met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Saturday and appeared more aligned with Moscow in seeking a peace deal, rather than a ceasefire first. "Market focus now turns to today's Washington...
The EUR/USD pair pared some gains, weakening from levels above 1.1700 to 1.1685 in early European trading on Monday (August 18th). Currency volatility remained low, with a mild risk-off sentiment ahead of the meeting between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who will be accompanied by several European leaders, and whose positions on the terms of a peace deal in Ukraine appear to remain significantly different. Media reports suggest that Trump will try to reach a quick agreement by pushing Zelenskyy to accept most of the terms Putin proposed in Alaska....
The US dollar strengthened against the Swiss franc on Monday (August 18th), retracing Friday's decline. The greenback strengthened against most major currencies on Monday, with all eyes on today's Trump-Zelensky meeting, while Swiss industrial production data added to concerns about economic momentum. Investors remained cautious about risk as media reports suggested that Trump would pressure his Ukrainian counterpart to accept Putin's terms for a peace deal. These demands, which largely involve ceding territory to Russia, have been flatly rejected by Zelensky on previous occasions and are...
Silver prices (XAG/USD) strengthened slightly near $38.00 during the European trading session on Monday (August 18th). The white metal attracted a few bids due to slightly cautious market sentiment, with investors awaiting the meeting between United States (US) President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House on Monday. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has confirmed that several European and NATO members will join Trump and Zelenskyy at the White House to discuss concessions proposed by Russian leader Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine. Signs of...
The dollar steadied on Monday ahead of a key meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskiy, while investors also looked ahead to the Federal Reserve's Jackson Hole symposium for more policy clues. Currency moves were largely subdued in the Asia session, though the dollar halted its fall from last week as traders further pared bets on a jumbo Fed cut next month. The euro was little changed at $1.1704, while sterling edged up 0.1% to $1.3563. Against a basket of currencies, the dollar stabilised at 97.85, after losing 0.4% last week. Markets...
Oil prices were largely unchanged on Monday after a drop in early trade, as the United States exerted no further pressure on Russia to end the Ukraine war through measures to disrupt its oil exports following a meeting of the leaders of both nations. Brent crude futures dropped 6 cents, or 0.09%, to $65.79 a barrel by 0342 GMT while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude was at $62.82 a barrel, up 2 cents, or 0.03%. U.S. President Donald Trump met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday and emerged more aligned with Moscow on seeking a peace deal instead of a ceasefire...
Silver climbed above $38 per ounce on Monday, recouping some losses from last week as investors turned their attention to a key meeting in Washington between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy amid efforts to reach a peace deal with Russia. Trump said he would press Zelenskiy to reach a quick settlement following his Friday talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. While no ceasefire breakthrough was achieved, Putin agreed to allow the US and Europe to provide Ukraine with robust security guarantees as part of a potential deal to end the war. Investors...
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....