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...
Gold prices inched higher on Thursday, continuing its momentum from 2024, while traders sought more clarity on the U.S. Federal Reserve's interest rate trajectory and President-elect Donald Trump's policies. Spot gold rose 0.39% to $2,634.15 per ounce, as of 0255 GMT. U.S. gold futures edged up 0.2% to $2,646.30. Bullion surged over 27% in 2024, its largest annual gain since 2010, driven by Fed's substantial rate cuts and escalating geopolitical tensions. The dollar index (.DXY), opens new tab slipped 0.1%, making dollar-priced bullion more affordable for holders of other...
The dollar index slipped to around 108.3 on Thursday, starting the year on a subdued note following a strong performance in 2024. Last year, the dollar strengthened by approximately 7% against a basket of major currencies, as the Federal Reserve signaled a more cautious stance on interest rate cuts amid ongoing inflationary pressures. The dollar also received a boost from Trump's imminent return to the White House, with his proposed policies—such as deregulation, tax cuts, higher tariffs, and stricter immigration measures—seen as pro-growth and inflationary. Additionally, concerns over...
WTI crude oil futures rose above $72 per barrel on Thursday, the first session after the New Year holiday, following an industry report indicating lower US crude inventories. API data showed a 1.4-million-barrel decline in US crude stocks for the week ending December 27th. If confirmed by official data today, it would mark a third consecutive weekly draw. Investors are also eyeing a recovery in China's economy and fuel demand after President Xi Jinping's pledge last Tuesday to implement more proactive policies to promote growth. This comes after an official survey suggested that policy...
The AUD/USD pair trades on a flat note around 0.6185 during the early Asian session on Thursday. However, the expectation that the US Federal Reserve (Fed) will take a slow and cautious approach to further rate cuts this year might boost the US Dollar (USD) and acts as a headwind for AUD/USD. In the final monetary policy meeting on December 18, the Fed indicated that it would only reduce interest rates two times next year, down from four rate cuts in September's updated economic projections. The rising bets that the US central bank will hold interest rates higher than peers lift the...
The yen weakened against every Group-of-10 peer as investors weighed dimming chances of a Bank of Japan interest rate hike this month. USD/JPY rose as much as 0.3% to 157.78, advancing for a third straight session as traders consider another BOJ rate pause. Governor Kazuo Ueda avoided giving clear signals of a hike in January during last week's speech. US jobs and manufacturing data due later Thursday will give further pulse checks on the economy and provide more clarity on the dollar's trajectory. "With a BOJ rate hike unlikely until March, the risk of...
Gold price (XAU/USD) trades with mild gains to around $2,625 during the early Asian session on Thursday. The uncertainties around Donald Trump's tariff policies, geopolitical risks, and central bank buying support the yellow metal. Nonetheless, the cautious stance of the US Federal Reserve (Fed) might cap the Gold's upside. Traders awaited fresh catalysts that could influence the Fed's interest rate outlook this year. In December, Fed Chair Jerome Powell signaled a cautious stance on further rate cuts after delivering a 25 basis points (bps) reduction. This, in turn, could provide some...
Silver prices (XAG/USD) fell on Tuesday, according to FXStreet data. Silver trades at $28.96 per troy ounce, down 0.14% from the $29.00 it cost on Monday. Silver prices have increased by 21.71% since the beginning of the year. Source: FXstreet
Gold opened the New Year steady after notching its biggest annual gain since 2010, with traders assessing prospects for a slower pace of monetary easing by the Federal Reserve in 2025. Bullion was trading near $2,625 an ounce following its 27% gain in 2024, which was driven by the Fed's cutting cycle, sustained haven demand and a wave of purchases by central banks. Investors are now focused on the interest-rate path in the US, after Chair Jerome Powell last month signaled greater caution over how quickly the central bank can continue reducing borrowing costs amid renewed...
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....