Gold edges higher in early Asian trade. An unexpectedly weak U.S. jobs report raised expectations of a Fed rate cut later this month, supporting gold, the ANZ Research team writes in a note. Investor demand has also been supported by worries of the Fed losing its independence as Trump continues to interfere with governor appointments, they add. Spot gold is 0.2% higher at $3,593.41/oz. Source: Bloomberg
Gold was steady around $2,650 an ounce on Tuesday ahead of a two-day Federal Reserve meeting, with investors eyeing the central bank's 2025 outlook. The Fed is widely expected to deliver a 25bps interest rate cut, but uncertainty remains about the extent of future easing, especially with the prospect of higher inflation under the incoming Trump administration. Recent data showed that U.S. private sector activity grew at a faster pace in December, suggesting the Fed may limit rate cuts next year, which could dampen demand for the precious metal. However, bullion has gained about 29% this...
The Australian dollar held steady around $0.637 on Tuesday, near its lowest level in a year as investors remained cautious ahead of the U.S. Federal Reserve's upcoming policy decision. The Fed is widely expected to cut interest rates by 25 basis points on Wednesday, but may signal fewer cuts than previously indicated for 2025. At home, a private survey showed Australian consumer confidence fell in December, as sentiment turned more pessimistic about the economic outlook. Additionally, traders are awaiting the Australian government's update on its budget outlook, which is expected to show a...
EUR/USD posted a slow advance on Monday, moving to the upper end of a short-term consolidation just above the 1.0500 level, albeit with a lack of real conviction. European data is relatively limited this week, leaving Fiber traders to face a slew of important data on the US side. Markets largely ignored appearances by a number of European Central Bank (ECB) officials to start the new week. December European PMI figures beat expectations, but the Services PMI survey remained in contraction as concerns over a deepening economic slowdown in Europe continue to unsettle investors and...
West Texas Intermediate (WTI), the U.S. crude benchmark, traded around $70.20 on Tuesday (12/17). WTI prices were flat as traders await the Federal Reserve's (Fed) interest rate decision on Wednesday. However, concerns over sluggish global demand growth in China may cap the black gold's gains for the time being. China's Retail Sales in November came in slower than expected, raising concerns about weaker consumer spending in China. This, in turn, weighed on WTI prices as China is the world's largest oil importer. Data released by China's National Bureau of Statistics on Monday showed that...
Gold prices were steady on Tuesday as traders remained cautious ahead of interest rate decisions by major central banks, including the Federal Reserve. Bullion held steady near $2,650 an ounce, after posting modest gains in the previous session as investors digested mixed U.S. data. Activity at U.S. service providers expanded at the fastest pace since October 2021, while a gauge of New York state factory activity fell the most since May. The Fed makes its final interest rate decision of the year on Wednesday, followed by policy announcements in Japan and the U.K. this week. Swap markets...
The US Dollar (USD) is trading higher on Monday after spending most of its time in red numbers at the start of this week. The turnaround comes on the back of a very upbeat release in the preliminary S&P Global Services Purchase Managers Index (PMI) release for December. A print of 58.5 against the previous 56.1 and the concensus 55.7 is smashing it out of the park and is providing the needed tailwind for the Greenback to get out of its disappointing performance earlier this Monday. The first move on Monday was initiated after Chinese Retail Sales came in at 3.0% for November, below...
The dollar index edged above 107 on Monday, hitting a three-week high, as traders awaited the Fed's interest rate decision and assessed key economic data. The Fed is widely expected to cut the federal funds rate by another 25 basis points, but investors will be closely monitoring the latest economic projections, particularly the prospect of rate cuts by 2025, with markets currently pricing in just three cuts. On the data front, the S&P Global Flash PMI showed surprisingly strong growth in private sector activity this month led by a surge in services while the manufacturing downturn...
Gold (XAU/USD) started the week on a relatively positive note, with the US dollar (USD) weighed down by a slight decline in US Treasury yields and weaker-than-expected US manufacturing figures. However, the precious metal remains close to recent lows after a 2.5% sell-off late last week. US Treasury yields fell on Monday after a sharp rally last week, taking some of the recent bullish pressure off the US dollar. Investors appear cautious about placing directional US dollar bets as they prepare for the all-important Federal Reserve (Fed) monetary policy decision on Wednesday. The market is...
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....