Oil prices stabilized on Thursday (February 12th), as the market reassigned a risk premium to US-Iran tensions despite US inventory data showing swelling domestic supplies. This movement confirms one thing: geopolitical headlines are still more "noise" than signals of a short-term surplus. As of 3:50 PM WIB, Brent was at $69.60/barrel (+0.29%) and WTI was at $64.83/barrel (+0.31%). The gains were moderate, but enough to keep prices near the psychological $70 level for Brent. From a geopolitical perspective, market focus is on the potential for escalation in the Middle East. Recent reports...
The US dollar opened 2026 weakly on Friday. Throughout last year, the dollar was pressured by many major currencies due to narrowing interest rate differentials between the US and other countries. Concerns about the US budget deficit, the global trade war, and the independence of the US Federal Reserve (Fed) weighed on the dollar and are expected to continue this year. The euro and the pound sterling are examples of currencies that have strengthened significantly. The euro stabilized at around $1.17 after surging more than 13% last year, while the pound sterling held around $1.34 after...
Precious metals opened the New Year 2026 with strong performance in Friday's trading. Gold, silver, and platinum continued their strong rally after posting remarkable gains throughout 2025. Global geopolitical tensions and hopes for interest rate cuts kept demand for safe-haven assets high at the start of the year. The spot gold price rose 1.3% to around US$4,372 per ounce, after previously hitting a record high in late December. US gold futures also strengthened. Analysts say year-end selling pressure has eased, allowing market focus to return to fundamental factors such as interest rates...
GBP/USD strengthened to around 1.3480 at the start of Friday's Asian session, holding above 1.3450. This strengthening occurred as the US dollar weakened again, as markets became increasingly confident that the possibility of a Fed interest rate cut remains open this year. Dollar sentiment was also pressured as investors saw the potential for further USD weakness if the next Fed chairman was more dovish and pushed for deeper interest rate cuts. Market expectations regarding this policy direction have reduced the dollar's appeal against other major currencies, including the pound...
Silver prices strengthened today, January 2, 2026, as investor interest increased at the start of the year. Market sentiment was driven by persistently high global uncertainty, leading silver to regain traction as a hedge, although typically not as strong as gold. The start of the year is often a time for investors to reorganize their portfolios. From a macroeconomic perspective, the direction of US interest rate policy remains a key factor. The market believes the possibility of a rate cut remains open if the US economy slows. This condition tends to support silver prices, as precious...
Gold prices rose in early Asian trading amid growing geopolitical concerns in the Middle East. This increase occurred as tensions between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates escalated in recent days, prompting investors to seek safe haven assets like gold. The situation escalated after Saudi Arabia warned its Gulf rivals against threatening its security. The kingdom asserted it would take all necessary steps to address potential threats. This strong statement sparked concerns about a possible escalation of conflict in the strategic region. According to Bas Kooijman, CEO and asset...
World oil prices stabilized on the first trading day of 2026 after experiencing a sharp decline throughout last year. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude traded above US$57 per barrel, while Brent, the global benchmark, closed below US$61 per barrel. This price stability follows a weakening prior to the New Year holidays. Market participants' attention is now focused on the OPEC+ meeting, which will be held virtually on January 4. Major countries such as Saudi Arabia and Russia are expected to maintain their previous decision to temporarily halt oil supply increases. This policy was taken...
Oil prices fell on Wednesday (December 31st), posting a nearly 20% annual loss, as expectations of oversupply grew in a year marked by war, higher tariffs, increased OPEC+ production, and sanctions against Russia, Iran, and Venezuela. Brent crude futures fell about 19% in 2025, the most substantial annual percentage decline since 2020 and the third consecutive year of losses, the longest streak on record. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude posted a nearly 20% annual decline. On the final day of the year, Brent futures closed at $60.85 per barrel, down 48 cents, or 0.8%. U.S. WTI...
Gold (XAU/USD) prices fell slightly on the final trading day of 2025, trading near $4,310 per troy ounce during Wednesday's European session. Non-yielding precious metals, including gold, lost ground after the minutes of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) December meeting, released on Tuesday, indicated a deep split within the committee. Some Federal Reserve (Fed) officials have said it may be best to leave interest rates unchanged for the time being after the committee delivered three rate cuts this year. However, some policymakers believe it may be appropriate to refrain from...
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....