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...
Oil prices gained 1% on Monday as U.S. President Donald Trump said he will impose a 25% tariff on countries that buy oil and gas from Venezuela. Price gains were capped, however, as the U.S. gave oil producer Chevron (NYSE:CVX) until May 27 to wind down its oil operations and exports from Venezuela. Trump had initially given Chevron 30 days from March 4 to wind down that license. The two moves taken together alleviate some pressure on Chevron while putting more pressure on other consumers of Venezuelan oil, though it is uncertain how the Trump administration will enforce the tariff. Brent...
The EUR/USD tanks and breaks below 1.08 after the March preliminary United States (US) Purchase Manager's Index (PMI) reading came in stronger on the Services sector than expected. Overall, the pair is expected to stay around 1.08 for now after United States (US) officials commented on Monday that the upcoming reciprocal tariffs will rather be targeted by sector and country, not at all simply broad-based as US President Donald Trump had originally announced. Meanwhile, on the economic data front, the preliminary Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) for March is being released on Monday. In the...
The Pound Sterling (GBP) is trimming some of its earlier gains versus the US Dollar (USD) on Monday and begins the week on an upbeat mood after Flash PMIs in both sides of the Atlantic came mixed. At the time of writing, GBP/USD trades at 1.2933, up 0.16%. Sterling trims early strength but stays afloat above 1.29, traders digest PMIs and brace for UK CPI, US PCEThe market mood improved as traders seemed relieved that the United States (US) reciprocal tariffs will be targetted to certain countries. Data-wise, S&P Global revealed that manufacturing activity in the US deteriorated...
The US dollar index rose above the 104.3 mark, reaching its highest level since March 4, as investors assessed the latest PMI data and awaited further clarity on President Trump's trade policies ahead of the April 2 deadline for his reciprocal tariffs. The latest survey revealed that US business activity picked up in March, with a significant rebound in the service sector offsetting a renewed decline in manufacturing output. However, business expectations for the year ahead fell to their second-lowest level since October 2022, driven by concerns over demand, tariffs, and broader policy...
Oil prices climbed in choppy trade on Monday as investors weighed the impact of fresh U.S. sanctions on Iranian exports against talks to end the war in Ukraine, which could increase supply of Russian crude to global markets. Brent crude futures rose 36 cents, or 0.5%, to $72.52 a barrel by 1004 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude was up 40 cents, or 0.6%, at $68.68. "Crude remains rangebound as traders continued to weigh the impact of new U.S. tariffs, the risk of an economic slowdown, as well as increased OPEC+ supply from next month and the prospect of stepped-up U.S. sanctions...
Gold's price (XAU/USD) stabilizes near $3,030 at the time of writing on Monday as traders assess fresh tariff headlines over the weekend. News emerging that the Trump administration will ease off on the broad scope of tariffs being imposed on April 2 brings sighs of relief in markets. Instead, United States (US) President Donald Trump is said to be looking for more specifically targeted tariffs on specific sectors per country or region. This helps ease the fear of broad reciprocal tariffs. The idea behind these tariffs is to get companies to reshore back to the US. However, a 25% tariff...
US Dollar (USD) inched higher as 2 Apr reciprocal tariff deadline draws nearer. Officials said that Trump will announce widespread reciprocal tariffs on nations or blocs but is set to exclude some. DXY was last at 104 levels, OCBC's FX analysts Frances Cheung and Christopher Wong note. USD may continue to be better bid in the near term "As of now, Trump administration is not planning separate, sectoral-specific tariffs to be unveiled at the same event. It was also mentioned that only countries that don't have tariffs on the US, and with whom the US has a trade surplus, will not be tariffed...
Oil prices inched up on Monday as investors weighed the impact of fresh U.S. sanctions on Iranian exports against ceasefire talks aimed at ending the Russia-Ukraine war, which could lead to an increase in Russian supplies to global markets. Brent crude futures gained 4 cents at $72.2 a barrel by 0735 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude rose 8 cents, or 0.1%, to $68.36. Prices fell earlier in the day. Both benchmarks settled higher on Friday and recorded a second consecutive weekly gain as fresh U.S. sanctions on Iran and the latest output plan from the OPEC+ producer group raised...
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....