The US dollar weakened on Friday after a surge in jobless claims and a moderate rise in inflation made markets increasingly confident that the Fed would cut interest rates next week—and possibly further thereafter. The dollar index stood at 97.585, heading for a second straight weekly decline after snapping a two-day rally on Thursday.Thursday's data showed the largest weekly increase in jobless claims in four years, overshadowing the August CPI release, which rose the fastest in seven months but remained moderate and in line with expectations. Some market participants called the current...
Brent crude oil futures dipped below $76 per barrel but were still set for a 1.5% weekly gain, driven by concerns over supply disruptions in Russia and improving demand in the US and China. Russia reported a 30%-40% reduction in Caspian Pipeline Consortium oil flows after a Ukrainian drone attack on a pumping station. Despite this, Kazakhstan has pumped record oil volumes. In the US, crude oil stockpiles rose, while gasoline and distillate inventories fell due to seasonal refinery maintenance. Tensions between Ukraine's President Zelensky and US President Trump escalated earlier in the...
The Pound Sterling (GBP) rises against its major peers, except the US Dollar (USD), on Friday after the release of robust United Kingdom (UK) Retail Sales data for January. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported that Retail Sales, a key measure of consumer spending, rose at a robust pace of 1.7% in the month after contracting by 0.6% in December, revised lower from -0.3%. Economists expected the consumer spending measure to have grown at a moderate pace of 0.3% Year-on-year Retail Sales rose by 1%, beating the estimate of 0.6%, but remained lower than the 2.8% growth seen in 12...
Gold prices fell on Friday but were set for an eighth straight week of gains on the back of two consecutive record highs, as safe-haven demand remained strong amid concerns about U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff plans. Spot gold shed 0.4% to $2,926.54 an ounce by 0945 GMT. Bullion has gained around 1.5%this week after rising to a record $2,954.69 on Thursday. Source: Reuters
The euro fell after data showed business activity in the euro area hardly grew in February. The dollar remained on course for its longest weekly losing streak since September. EUR/USD drops as much as 0.3% to 1.0468; it fell to a fresh day low after French composite PMI data came in below forecasts and held losses following PMI data out of Germany. Investors added to bets on European Central Bank interest-rate reductions. Money markets are now pricing 78 basis points of easing this year compared with 74 basis points on Thursday. Bonds held gains, with the German 10-year yield three...
The USD/CHF pair recovers some lost ground around 0.8985 amid a modest rebound in US Dollar (USD) during the early European session on Friday. Investors brace for the preliminary US S&P Global PMI reports, which will be released later on Friday. Also, the Federal Reserve's (Fed) Mary Daly and Philip Jefferson are set to speak later on the same day. Fed officials in January agreed they would need to see inflation ease more before lowering interest rates further. Policymakers are concerned about the impact Trump's tariffs would have in making that happen, according to meeting minutes...
Oil prices were steady on Friday and poised for a weekly increase amid an improving outlook for demand in the U.S. and China. Concerns over supply disruptions in Russia also lent support. Brent futures dipped 3 cents to $76.45 a barrel by 0414 GMT while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude edged down 4 cents to $72.44. Both indexes have gained over 2% this week - the largest weekly advances since early January. Brent would be marking a second week of gains after three weeks of declines. WTI is set to have its first week of gains after four weeks of declines. Global oil demand has averaged...
Gold price (XAU/USD) attracts some sellers in the vicinity of the $2,950 level during the Asian session on Friday and moves away from the all-time peak touched the previous day. The intraday downtick could be attributed to some profit-taking amid slightly overbought conditions on the daily chart. The downside, however, remains cushioned in the wake of worries that US President Donald Trump's tariff plans could trigger a global trade war. This might continue to act as a tailwind for the safe-haven bullion. Furthermore, expectations that Trump's protectionist policies would reignite inflation...
ilver price (XAG/USD) remains under pressure after gaining in the previous session, trading around $32.90 per troy ounce during Asian trading hours on Friday. Safe-haven metals like Silver face selling pressure as risk-on sentiment strengthens following US President Donald Trump's announcement of potential progress in trade negotiations with China. Trump's remarks helped ease market concerns over tariffs, and he expressed expectations that Chinese President Xi Jinping might visit, while also discussing matters related to TikTok. However, Silver found some support amid lingering trade and...
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....