Oil prices fell on Friday (October 24th) as skepticism crept into the market regarding the Trump administration's commitment to sanctions against Russia's two largest oil companies related to the war in Ukraine. Brent crude futures closed 5 cents, or 0.1%, lower at $65.94 a barrel, while U.S. crude <CLc1> closed at $61.50 a barrel, down 29 cents, or 0.5%. Both crude benchmarks rallied early in the session, extending gains of more than 5% achieved on Thursday after the sanctions were announced, but then weakened in the final two hours of trading. Crude prices still closed up more than...
Oil prices rose for a third straight session as investors weighed President Donald Trump's latest tariff threats against buyers of Russian crude, the impact of the Israeli strikes on Doha, and the prospect of a US interest rate cut. Brent traded around $67 per barrel, extending this week's gains to more than 2%. US producer prices fell unexpectedly, strengthening the case for the Federal Reserve to cut borrowing costs, potentially helping support energy demand. Trump told European Union officials he was willing to impose new tariffs on India and China, major importers of Russian crude, in...
Gold prices hovered near an all-time high on Wednesday, buoyed by expectations of a U.S. interest rate cut this month, while market participants awaited U.S. inflation data for clues on the Federal Reserve's monetary policy path. Spot gold was up 0.5% at $3,643.78 per ounce, as of 0821 GMT, after hitting a record high of $3,673.95 on Tuesday. U.S. gold futures for December delivery were flat at $3,682.30. "Gold's gains come on the back of expectations of Fed rate cuts, supported by signs of cooling in the U.S. labour market, which have weakened the dollar," Ricardo Evangelista, senior...
Oil prices rose on Wednesday (September 10th) after Israel attacked Hamas leaders in Qatar, Poland shot down a drone, and the US pushed for new sanctions on Russian oil buyers, but concerns over crude oversupply limited further gains. Brent crude rose 56 cents, or 0.8%, to $66.95 a barrel, as of 08:35 GMT, and U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude rose 56 cents, or 0.9%, to $63.19 a barrel. Prices had closed up 0.6% in the previous trading session after Israel said it had attacked Hamas leaders in Doha. Both benchmarks rose nearly 2% shortly after the strikes, but then recovered...
The US dollar held steady on Wednesday (September 10th) ahead of US inflation data this week that could help shape the Federal Reserve's policy outlook, while tense geopolitical conditions supported currencies like the Swiss franc. Last week's employment data showed that the US economy created far fewer jobs than expected last year, making a Fed interest rate cut next week seem a certainty. However, this did not shake confidence in equity markets, where stocks are trading at record highs, nor did it have a direct impact on the dollar itself, although investors are considering the...
The British pound (GBP) traded higher against other major currencies, except for the Antipodean currencies, on Wednesday. The British currency showed strength as market sentiment remained optimistic amid strong expectations that the Federal Reserve (Fed) will cut interest rates next week. On the domestic data front, investors are awaiting UK Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and factory data for July, scheduled for Friday. Monthly GDP growth in the UK economy is expected to stagnate after rising by 0.4% in June. Monthly Manufacturing and Industrial Production data are also expected to remain...
Gold prices edged higher on Wednesday, holding above the critical $3,600-per-ounce level, buoyed by expectations of a U.S. interest rate cut this month, while key inflation reports due this week were also on investors' radar. Spot gold was up 0.3% at $3,635.329 per ounce, as of 0101 GMT, after hitting a record high of $3,673.95 on Tuesday. U.S. gold futures for December delivery eased 0.2% to $3,673.70. "Sentiment is really bullish. There are several major factors driving gold prices right now. The primary is U.S. rate cut expectations," Capital.com financial market analyst Kyle Rodda...
Silver climbed above $41 per ounce on Wednesday, holding near 14-year highs as traders increased wagers on US Federal Reserve rate cuts. On Tuesday, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the US economy likely added 911,000 fewer jobs in the 12 months through March, or about 76,000 fewer per month, underscoring a weaker labor market than previously estimated. Together with last week's soft August jobs report, the data reinforced expectations for a 25 basis point cut next week, though some investors are betting on a larger 50 basis point move. Attention now turns to key inflation figures...
The dollar index held around 97.8 on Wednesday after firming in the prior session, as investors awaited key inflation reports that could influence the Federal Reserve's policy stance. The producer price index is due later today, followed by the consumer price index on Thursday. On Tuesday, the Bureau of Labor Statistics said the economy likely created 911,000 fewer jobs in the 12 months through March, or roughly 76,000 fewer jobs per month, pointing to a softer labor market than previously estimated. Combined with last week's weak August jobs report, the data bolstered expectations for a...
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....