Former U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to impose tariffs on members of the BRICS group of nations on Friday, warning the alliance would quickly collapse if it ever becomes a significant economic force. "When I heard about this group from BRICS, six countries, basically, I hit them very, very hard. And if they ever really form in a meaningful way, it will end very quickly," Trump said without specifying which nations he was referring to. The BRICS group currently includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, and has recently expanded to include other nations. In addition to...
Gold eased off a record high mid-afternoon on Thursday but stayed above the US$3,300 mark as U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff threats continue to support safe-haven demand. Gold for June delivery was last seen down US$18.10 to US$3,328.30 per ounce after closing at a record US$3,346.40 on Wednesday. The price of the metal has climbed 26% since the start of the year as the U.S. tariff battles threaten to slow global growth while roiling global trade flows, sending investors to gold as a store of value. The World Trade Organization on Wednesday lowered its forecast for 2025 global trade...
Gold prices eased on Thursday after a sharp rise in the previous session as investors booked profits ahead of a long weekend, although softer dollar and escalating U.S.-China trade tensions kept bullion above the $3,300 per ounce level. Spot gold slipped 0.5% to $3,326.51 an ounce as of 08:58 a.m. ET (1258 GMT), after touching a record high of $3,357.40 earlier in the session. Bullion has gained nearly 3% this week. U.S. gold futures were down 0.2% at $3,339.90. "Gold may have a short-term pullback given its spectacular surge this week and ahead of a rare long weekend in the markets,"...
Oil rose for a second day after the Trump administration again vowed to reduce Iran's energy exports to zero, while talks between the US and Japan stirred optimism that agreements on trade can be reached. Brent crude climbed above $66 a barrel after advancing almost 2% on Wednesday, putting futures on track for their first weekly gain this month. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the US would apply maximum pressure to disrupt Iran's oil supply chain, as his department sanctioned a second Chinese refinery accused of handling crude from the Islamic Republic. The...
The GBP/USD pair ticks lower to near 1.3230 during European trading hours on Thursday. The Cable edges lower as the US Dollar (USD) attracts some bids on meaningful progress in trade talks between the United States (US) and Japan. The US Dollar Index (DXY), which tracks the Greenback's value against six major currencies rebounds to near 99.50 from the three-year low of 99.00. Investors see this as a sign that heightened global economic uncertainty, driven by imposition of hefty tariffs by US President Donald Trump, will ease amid growing confidence that Trump is leaned towards having...
Gold prices retreated on Thursday as investors booked profits after bullion hit an all-time high, with traders assessing tariff negotiations between the U.S. and Japan. Spot gold was down 0.8% to $3,317.63 an ounce, as of 0717 GMT. Bullion has gained over 2% so far this week. U.S. gold futures shed 0.5% to $3,330.60. Bullion hit a record high of $3,357.40 earlier in the session and has risen more than 27% so far this year. "The retreat is largely driven by short-term profit-taking following the sharp rally over the past week. A temporary stabilization in U.S. bond yields and a modest...
China's official NBS Manufacturing PMI increased to 49.7 in June 2025 from May's 49.5, matching market expectations while marking the third consecutive month of contraction in factory activity.
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Both the STOXX 50 and STOXX 600 hovered around the flatline on Friday, as investors adopted a cautious stance ahead of further developments in trade talks between US President Trump and Chinese...
President Donald Trump said Wednesday he plans to send a single letter to over 150 countries outlining the tariff rate they will face, saying, "It's all going to be the same for everyone, for that...