The Australian Dollar (AUD) pauses its three-day winning streak against the US Dollar (USD) as traders await the Reserve Bank of Australia's (RBA) policy decision on Tuesday. The central bank is widely expected to lower its Official Cash Rate (OCR) by 25 basis points (bps) to 4.10%, marking the first rate cut in four years. However, policymakers may adopt a cautious stance, as trimmed mean inflation remains above the RBA's 2%-3% target range. Signs of easing inflation in Australia have increased expectations for a rate cut in February. December data indicated slowing price pressures, with...
Oil steadied after an advance as OPEC+ delegates said the group was considering delaying restoring output, and Ukrainian drones attacked a crude-pumping station in Russia. Brent crude traded above $75 a barrel after a modest gain on Monday, while West Texas Intermediate was near $71. The cartel and its allies are considering pushing back a series of monthly supply increases due to start in April, according to delegates. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian strike forced exports through the main pipeline from Kazakhstan to slow. Postponing the 120,000 barrel-a-day hike would...
Gold is steady in the early Asian trade. The precious metal's safe-haven status is even more appealing with a U.S. administration as unpredictable and disruptive as Trump, says Justin Smirk, Westpac Group's senior economist in a report. Traders remain concerned that Trump's reciprocal tariff plan will raise global trade tensions, ANZ Research analysts say noting his latest tariff threat includes levies on automobiles. Spot gold is flat at $2,899.41/oz. Source : Dow Jones Newswires
Goldman Sachs on Monday raised its year-end 2025 gold price forecast to $3,100 per ounce, up from $2,890, citing sustained central bank demand. The bank estimates that "structurally higher central bank demand will add 9% to the gold price by year-end, which combined with a gradual boost to ETF holdings as the funds rate declines." This should outweigh the drag from normalizing investor positioning, assuming uncertainty diminishes, Goldman Sachs added. However, if policy uncertainty, including tariff concerns, remains high, Goldman sees the potential for gold to surge to $3,300 per ounce...