Gold prices briefly caused a stir after hitting a new record, but then slowed. The main trigger: US President Donald Trump withheld the threat of tariffs on Europe and claimed there was a "framework" for a future agreement on Greenland. This calmer tone made the market a little more willing to take risks, thus easing the pressure to buy gold as a safe haven. However, the big picture hasn't changed: gold remains in high territory because the world remains filled with uncertainty. Trade wars could resurface at any time, geopolitical tensions haven't completely subsided, and investors are...
Gold prices edged lower in Asian trade on Thursday, pulling back marginally after a strong performance this week as markets grew more confident that the U.S. Federal Reserve will cut interest rates in December. Speculation over a potentially dovish successor to Fed Chair Jerome Powell also boosted expectations of lower U.S. interest rates in the long term, as did a swathe of weak economic readings from the country. The dollar retreated on this notion, benefiting broader metal prices this week. Silver was a standout performer, coming back in sight of record highs, while platinum...
Silver prices traded just below US$53 per ounce on Thursday, again approaching a record high. This increase occurred amid growing market confidence that the US Federal Reserve will cut interest rates further in the near future. Market participants now estimate an 85% chance of a 25 basis point rate cut in December, a sharp increase from just 30% about a week ago, with three more cuts anticipated by the end of 2026. These dovish expectations have further strengthened following reports that Kevin Hassett, Director of the White House National Economic Council, is a strong candidate for the...
The dollar index weakened for a third straight day on Thursday, as markets grew increasingly confident the Federal Reserve would cut interest rates at its December meeting, ahead of the US Thanksgiving holiday. The Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index fell about 0.1% and remains on track for its third weekly decline in four weeks. The Fed's Beige Book report overnight showed US economic activity was "virtually unchanged," while consumer spending weakened, except among high-income buyers. The Beige Book also noted a slight decline in employment and only moderate price increases, bringing the...
GBP/USD accelerated into a fifth straight winning session on Wednesday, gaining another 0.55% on the day and pushing through the 1.3200 handle. Price action is now set to challenge key long-term moving averages, and the ball will remain in Cable bulls' court through the back half of the trading week. US markets are set to go functionally dark for the remainder of the week with American market participants taking Thursday and Friday off for Thanksgiving holiday celebrations. Things remain relatively quiet on the UK side of the market on the economic data docket; however, government budget...
Gold steadied, having gained nearly 1% in the previous session on growing expectations of another interest-rate cut in the US. Bullion was trading around $4,165 an ounce, supported by a series of comments by Federal Reserve policymakers that point toward further monetary easing in December. Swap traders see a roughly 80% chance of a quarter-point cut next month, with the latest US jobless claims data seen as unlikely to derail the Fed from a reduction. Reinforcing prospects for lower rates, a key economic adviser to Donald Trump is emerging as the frontrunner to be the...
Oil edged lower as investors tracked US-led efforts to end the war in Ukraine, while looking ahead to an OPEC+ gathering this weekend. West Texas Intermediate traded near $58 a barrel after rising more than 1% on Wednesday, while Brent settled just above $63. With US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff set to lead a delegation for talks in Russia next week, traders are weighing whether a deal can be struck and the implications for crude flows. OPEC and its allies, meanwhile, are set to meet Nov. 30. Eight of the group's members decided earlier this month to...
Oil prices edged higher on Wednesday (November 26th) ahead of the US Thanksgiving holiday, as US investors assessed the prospect of a supply glut and negotiations on a Russia-Ukraine peace deal. Brent crude futures rose 42 cents, or 0.67%, to $62.9 a barrel at 2:10 PM ET (7:10 PM GMT). US West Texas Intermediate crude futures rose 50 cents, or 0.86%, to $58.45. US crude inventories rose 2.8 million barrels to 426.9 million barrels last week due to a surge in imports, according to the Energy Information Administration (EIA) on Wednesday. Analysts had expected a rise of 55,000...
Gold rose to around $4,160 per ounce on Wednesday (November 26), nearing a two-week high as expectations of US policy easing weakened the dollar and reduced the opportunity cost of holding bullion. Futures and currency markets now place the odds of a 25 basis point (bps) Fed rate cut in December above 80%, and reports that Kevin Hassett is the leading candidate for Fed chair reinforced expectations of further policy easing. The mix of economic data has been uneven but consistent with policy easing, with initial jobless claims surprisingly lower and durable goods orders strengthening despite...
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....