Crude futures recover more of last week's losses as continued fighting between Russia and Ukraine keep alive expectations of greater U.S. sanctions and supply disruptions. An Israeli air strike targeting the Hamas leadership in Qatar also raises geopolitical risk in the Middle East, Jorge Leon, Rystad's head of geopolitical analysis, says in a note. "Recent diplomatic initiatives led by the U.S. and Qatar have been dealt a major setback," he says. Much could depend on the response of Qatar, a close U.S. ally and Gulf Cooperation Council member, he adds. "Any fallout could amplify tensions...
The U.S. dollar weakened on Thursday as traders headed into the new year, but the greenback remained close to a two-year high seen earlier in the week and is likely to remain supported in the near term given a more hawkish Fed stance and expectations for the incoming Trump administration. At 4:45 AM ET (09:45 GMT), the Dollar Index, which tracks the greenback against a basket of six other currencies, was trading 0.1% lower at 108.215, but remained close to a two-year high hit on Tuesday. Dollar to remain in demand in 2025 The index rose 7% in 2024 as traders sharply cut expectations for a...
Silver (XAG/USD) prices kicked off 2025 on a strong note. The white metal gained nearly 1.50% in the European session on Thursday and rose near $29.40. The asset gained as the US Treasury yield rally stalled after surging more than 10% in the past four weeks The 10-year US Treasury yield dipped near 4.55%. Lower yields on interest-bearing assets suggest a lower opportunity cost for non-yielding assets, such as Silver, which increases its appeal. Meanwhile, the US Dollar Index (DXY), which tracks the Greenback against a basket of six major currencies, traded sideways near a more than...
Oil prices edged higher on Thursday, the first trading day for 2025, as investors returning from holidays cautiously eyed China's economy and fuel demand following President Xi Jinping's pledge to boost growth. Brent crude futures were up 16 cents, or 0.21%, at $74.80 a barrel by 0829 GMT after closing up 65 cents on Tuesday, the last trading day for 2024. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures were up 16 cents, or 0.22%, at $71.88 a barrel after closing up 73 cents in the previous session. Xi said Tuesday in his New Year's speech that the country will implement more proactive policies...
Gold (XAU/USD) prices rose for the third straight session on Thursday, after rising more than 27% in 2024, marking its best performance since 2010. The upward momentum was driven by US monetary easing, persistent geopolitical tensions, and record central bank buying. However, non-interest-bearing gold may face some headwinds as the Federal Reserve (Fed) is expected to take a more cautious approach to further interest rate cuts in 2025, signaling a shift in its aggressive monetary policy stance. The shift is driven by uncertainty surrounding potential policy changes under the Trump...
EUR/USD traded vulnerable and held near more than a month-low around 1.0350 on the first trading day of the year. The major currency pair is in a tough spot as the US Dollar (USD) holds near more than two-year highs, with the Dollar Index (DXY) trading around 108.50 on optimism that the Federal Reserve (Fed) will cut interest rates lower than previously anticipated this year. Source: FXStreet
Oil steadied in the first session of the new year as an industry report signaled US crude stockpiles continued to shrink. Brent traded below $75 a barrel after giving up an earlier gain, and West Texas Intermediate was near $72. A report from the American Petroleum Institute showed inventories fell by 1.4 million barrels last week, which would be a sixth straight draw if confirmed by government data later Thursday. Oil has been stuck in a narrow range since mid-October, with Brent posting a modest annual decline and WTI ending 2024 little changed. Investors...
Oil prices nudged higher on Thursday, the first day of trade for 2025, as investors returning from holidays cautiously eyed a recovery in China's economy and fuel demand following a pledge by President Xi Jinping to promote growth. Brent crude futures rose 17 cents, or 0.06%, to $74.82 a barrel by 0547 GMT after settling up 65 cents on Tuesday, the last trading day for 2024. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures gained 19 cents, or 0.26%, to $71.91 a barrel after closing 73 cents higher in the previous session. China's factory activity grew in December, according to the private-sector...
The Japanese yen remained largely unchanged around 157 per dollar on Thursday, amid thin trading volumes as Japan observed the holiday season. Investors continued to digest the Bank of Japan's interest rate outlook, following an uptick in both headline and core inflation in November. Minutes from the BoJ's December meeting revealed that policymakers had debated the possibility of a near-term rate hike, with some members suggesting that conditions were starting to align for such a move. Meanwhile, traders are keeping a close eye on potential Japanese government intervention, after Finance...
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....