Oil prices stabilized on Thursday (February 12th), as the market reassigned a risk premium to US-Iran tensions despite US inventory data showing swelling domestic supplies. This movement confirms one thing: geopolitical headlines are still more "noise" than signals of a short-term surplus. As of 3:50 PM WIB, Brent was at $69.60/barrel (+0.29%) and WTI was at $64.83/barrel (+0.31%). The gains were moderate, but enough to keep prices near the psychological $70 level for Brent. From a geopolitical perspective, market focus is on the potential for escalation in the Middle East. Recent reports...
The USD/CHF pair moved higher in early Asian trading on Monday (4/14), holding around the 0.8170 level after posting losses in the last two consecutive sessions. Market participants are eyeing the release of Swiss Producer and Import Prices for March, due later today. However, the USD/CHF pair's gains may be restrained as the Swiss Franc (CHF) continues to receive support from safe-haven demand amid escalating trade tensions between the United States and China. The renewed friction has rekindled fears of a global recession, prompting investors to move away from US assets. Late last week, a...
Silver (XAG/USD) attracted some sellers at the start of a new week and fell back below the $32.00 round figure during the Asian session on Monday (4/14). The white metal, for now, seems to have snapped its three-day winning streak to over one-week highs touched on Friday, although the technical setup supports prospects for some dip-buying at lower levels. Last week's breakout through the 50% Fibonacci retracement level of the recent slump from the March swing high to fresh YTD lows touched last week was seen as a key trigger for bullish traders. However, the subsequent move higher struggled...
Oil prices edged lower in Asian trade on Monday as traders digested mixed signals on U.S. tariffs and the trade conflict with China, although weaker demand forecasts and lower prices continued to weigh. Oil prices were trading near a four-year low hit last week, as concerns over weak demand and trade-related disruptions hit commodity markets. The prospect of increased economic pressure on top oil importer China also weighed on prices, as Beijing engages in a bitter trade war with the United States. Brent crude for June delivery fell 0.3% to $64.56 a barrel, while West Texas Intermediate...
Gold prices fell on Monday from a record high hit earlier in the session as trade tensions eased after U.S. President Donald Trump exempted smartphones and computers from "reciprocal" U.S. tariffs. Spot gold was down 0.1% at $3,232.45 an ounce, as of 0329 GMT. Bullion hit a record high of $3,245.42 earlier in the day. U.S. gold futures edged up 0.1% to $3,248.20. "A weaker U.S. dollar has helped gold prices, but news of the tech tariff exemptions has boosted risk appetite and caused safe-haven demand to decline. This has left gold price directionless," said KCM Trade chief market analyst...
The dollar weakened on Monday as an early rally from a three-year low ended, with markets haunted by a series of tariff-related remarks from U.S. President Donald Trump that last week shook investor confidence in the world's reserve currency. Investors were bracing for a tumultuous week as Trump's tariffs and then sudden delays on U.S. imports continued to stir confusion. The dollar reversed early gains as Asian trading began, falling against the Swiss franc toward a 10-year low hit on Friday. The dollar was last trading 0.05% lower against the Swiss franc at 0.8158. The pound pared...
The Australian dollar (AUD) continued its gains against the US dollar (USD) on Monday (14/4), supported by improving risk sentiment. The AUD/USD pair strengthened after US President Donald Trump announced less stringent tariffs on Chinese imports, including semiconductors and electronics, on Sunday night. Clarifying earlier speculation about exemptions, Trump confirmed these goods would remain subject to the existing 20% tariffs on fentanyl, instead of the previously suggested 145% tariff. Stronger commodity prices provided further support for the Australian dollar. However, persistent...
The Japanese Yen (JPY) attracted fresh buyers at the start of a new week and remained within striking distance of its highest level since late September 2024 hit against the broadly weakening US Dollar (USD) last Friday. Concerns about the rapidly escalating US-China trade war and its impact on the global economy continued to support traditional safe-haven assets, including the JPY. Further, hopes that Japan might reach a trade deal with the US turned out to be another factor offering support to the JPY. Meanwhile, signs of broadening inflation in Japan keep the case for further interest...
The GBP/USD pair moved higher at the start of a new week and traded just below the 1.3100 level during the Asian session (4/14), within striking distance of Friday's swing high. Moreover, the bearish sentiment surrounding the US Dollar (USD) suggests that the path of least resistance for spot prices remains to the upside. The initial market reaction to US President Donald Trump's decision last week to pause all-encompassing tariffs for 90 days turned out to be short-lived amid growing fears of a US recession amid the escalating US-China trade war. China's 84% tariffs on US goods went into...
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....