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 rose, reversing some of the previous session's losses as traders reduced their bets on a September interest rate cut from the US Federal Reserve. Bullion rose 0.7% to trade near $3,299 an ounce, following a decline in the dollar after Fed Chairman Jerome Powell announced that interest rates would be held steady. "There's still a lot of uncertainty to be resolved," Powell said in a post-meeting press conference. "It doesn't feel like we're that close to the end of that process." Traders reduced the probability of a September rate cut to less than 50% after Powell's remarks. Higher...
Oil prices held gains this week as traders grappled with President Donald Trump's threat to impose punitive tariffs on Russian energy buyers. West Texas Intermediate crude oil prices were little changed on Thursday, but closed at a six-week high the day before. The US president said he would impose tariffs on Indian exports and penalties on its energy purchases from Russia starting August 1, the latest in a series of comments in which he expressed anger over the lack of a ceasefire in Ukraine. While the market impact of a disruption in Indian purchases could be significant, as Moscow would...
Gold prices rose more than 1% on Thursday (July 31st), pulling away from a one-month low hit in the previous session, as a weaker dollar and the announcement of new US tariffs boosted demand for the safe-haven asset. Spot gold rose 1.1% to $3,312.03 an ounce, as of 06:12 GMT. The bullion had hit its lowest level since June 30th at $3,267.79 on Wednesday. US gold futures rose 0.4% to $3,309. The dollar weakened from a two-month low, making gold cheaper for holders of other currencies. "We had some significant declines in gold prices yesterday around the release of the FOMC statement and the...
Oil prices were little changed on Thursday (July 31st) as investors weighed supply risks stemming from US President Donald Trump's push for a swift resolution to the war in Ukraine through additional tariffs, while a surprise increase in US crude stockpiles weighed on prices. Brent crude futures for September, which expire on Thursday, rose 4 cents, or 0.05%, to $73.28 a barrel at 08:12 GMT. US West Texas Intermediate crude for September also rose 4 cents, or 0.06%, to $70.04. Both benchmarks rose 1% on Wednesday. "We're looking for more clarity on the nature of any new tariffs or...
The EUR/USD pair posted modest gains on Thursday (July 31st), following a sharp sell-off over the past three days. The pair resumed its decline on Wednesday following strong US Gross Domestic Product (GDP) figures and a hawkish message from the Federal Reserve (Fed). The euro (EUR) was trading at 1.1435 at the European market open, up from a seven-week low of 1.1400 reached after the Fed's monetary policy decision on Wednesday, but still on track for a 3% depreciation in July. The US emerged as the best-performing nation in this eventful week. US data continued to show that the economy...
The USD/CHF pair weakened to around 0.8125 during early European trading hours. The US dollar weakened against the Swiss franc (CHF) despite a hawkish stance from US Federal Reserve officials. Traders are bracing for further developments surrounding US President Donald Trump's tariff policy ahead of the deadline. On Wednesday, Trump announced that the United States would impose a 15% tariff on imports from South Korea. The agreement includes a $350 billion commitment from South Korea for US-owned and -controlled investments. Meanwhile, US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick announced that...
Silver prices hovered near $37 per ounce on Thursday, steadying after falling more than 2% in the previous session. The decline followed the Federal Reserve's decision to keep interest rates unchanged at 4.25%–4.5%, reflecting a cautious stance on future rate cuts despite political pressure from President Trump and dissenting votes from Governors Michelle Bowman and Christopher Waller. Fed Chair Jerome Powell reiterated that it is still too early to consider cutting rates and gave little indication of when easing might resume. In response, markets pared back expectations for rate...
Gold prices rebounded on Thursday from a one-month low hit in the previous session, as trade uncertainty sparked by the announcement of new US tariffs boosted bullion's appeal, even as expectations of a US interest rate cut in September eased. Spot gold rose 0.5% to $3,292.24 an ounce, as of 02:30 GMT. Bullion hit its lowest level since June 30 at $3,267.79 on Wednesday. US gold futures fell 0.2% to $3,287. "Gold at levels below $3,300 has attracted buying interest from traders as a value strategy, especially with the prevailing economic uncertainty, which aligns with Trump's threat of...
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....