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 fell for a third session on Wednesday as plans by major producers to raise output in April combined with concerns that U.S. tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China will slow economic growth and hit fuel demand. Brent futures fell 24 cents, or 0.3%, to $70.80 a barrel at 0500 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude slipped 58 cents, or 0.9%, to $67.68 a barrel. In the previous session, the contracts settled at close to multi-month lows. "Unfavourable supply-demand dynamics have created a double whammy, with tariff uncertainties posing downside risks to global growth, and in...
The GBP/USD pair trades with mild gains to near 1.2790 during the early European trading hours on Wednesday. The US Dollar (USD) hovered near a three-month low amid concerns over slowing US economic growth and the impact of tariffs. "Fears about weaker U.S. and global economic activity are manifesting in the markets, with cyclicals driving the sell-off," said Kyle Rodda, senior financial markets analyst at capital.com. Additionally, Trump's 25% levies on Mexican and Canadian imports took effect on Tuesday, alongside a hike in Chinese duties to 20% Investors will take more cues from the US...
Gold eased below $2,910 per ounce on Wednesday, pausing recent gains as rising US Treasury yields pressured prices. Still, the metal remained relatively near its record highs, supported by safe-haven demand amid implementation of US tariffs. Trump's 25% levies on Mexican and Canadian imports took effect Tuesday, alongside a hike in Chinese duties to 20%, escalating trade tensions and prompting retaliation. However, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick suggested possible tariff relief for Canada and Mexico. Further boosting gold's safety appeal, the US paused military aid to Ukraine amid...
The USD/JPY pair attracts some buyers to around 149.75 during the Asian trading hours on Tuesday. The US Dollar (USD) gains ground as traders await more cues from US President Donald Trump's speech. Later on Wednesday, the US ISM Services Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) for February will be in the spotlight. Meanwhile, the US Dollar Index (DXY), a measure of the USD's value relative to its most significant trading partners' currencies, currently trades around 105.75, adding 0.18% on the day. However, the upside for the Greenback might be limited amid concerns over slowing economic growth...
The Australian dollar slipped below $0.625 on Wednesday, reversing a two-day rally despite stronger-than-expected economic growth data. Australia's economy grew by 0.6% in the fourth quarter, up from 0.3% in the previous quarter and surpassing market expectations of 0.5%. On the monetary policy front, RBA Deputy Governor Andrew Hauser noted that the central bank is closely monitoring the impact of the escalating global trade war on domestic inflation. He emphasized that it's too early to declare victory over inflation and called for a cautious approach to further interest rate...
The U.S. dollar drooped near a three-month low versus major peers on Wednesday while shares in Asia were mixed after the latest round of U.S. tariffs and countermeasures from Canada and China stoked fears of an escalating trade war. China's yuan was firm in offshore trading following a rally of about 0.7% in the prior session, as annual parliamentary sessions of the National People's Congress (NPC) kicked off with Beijing retaining a 5% economic growth goal for 2025. The euro pushed to a near four-month peak as German political parties agreed to a 500-billion-euro infrastructure fund....
Brent crude oil futures declined below $71 per barrel on Wednesday, remaining close to a four-month low, as concerns over OPEC+ production increases weighed on prices. The group confirmed plans to phase out 2.2 million bpd of output cuts starting in April, with monthly increases of 138,000 bpd until late 2026. Further pressuring prices, the Trump administration suspended all US military aid to Ukraine, following reports of potential sanctions relief for Russia, which could boost Russian oil exports. Additionally, new US tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China took effect Tuesday, raising...
West Texas Intermediate (WTI), the US crude oil benchmark, is trading around $67.65 during the early Asian session on Wednesday. The WTI price attracts some sellers amid geopolitical concerns, the OPEC+ production increase announcement and US tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China. On Monday, OPEC+, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies including Russia, said it will proceed with a plan to increase oil production from April. This increase follows a series of output cuts made by OPEC+ to stabilize the market. "The change in OPEC strategy looks like they are...
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....