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...
The EUR/USD pair traded flat near 1.1400 during the early Asian session on Thursday (4/17). Markets remained cautious as traders wait to see if the US President Donald Trump administration reaches a new trade deal with its partners. The European Central Bank (ECB) interest rate decision will be the focus later on Thursday. Federal Reserve (Fed) Chairman Jerome Powell said on Wednesday that trade tensions risk undermining the Fed's employment and inflation goals. Powell added that US economic growth appears to be slowing, with consumer spending growing modestly, a rush of imports to avoid...
Gold rises in the early Asian session, buoyed by likely safe-haven demand after Fed Chair Powell warned overnight of economic risks. "The outlook for gold remains constructive, supported by a robust mix of macroeconomic and geopolitical factors that reinforce its intrinsic value as a store of value and diversification asset in uncertain times," Pepperstone's Quasar Elizundia says in an email. If current conditions continue, gold's medium- to long-term target is projected around $3,734/oz, the research strategist adds. Spot gold is 0.3% higher at $3,350.88/oz after earlier touching a record...
Oil rose for a second day after the U.S. pledged to reduce Iran's energy exports to zero. West Texas Intermediate traded near $63 a barrel after rising nearly 2% on Wednesday, putting futures on track for their first weekly gain this month. Brent crude settled below $66. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the U.S. 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 so-called teapot refinery sanctioned by the U.S. — Shandong Shengxing Chemical Co. Ltd. — is suspected...
Gold prices just wrapped up their biggest daily gain since April 2020, when panicked investors were hoarding the precious metal during the Covid market meltdown. Gold futures rose 3.4%, or $107.90 a troy ounce, Wednesday to settle at $3,326.60, a fresh record. Futures are up 40% over the past year, blowing past Wall Street's expectations for 2025, but it isn't just nervous investors who are gobbling up gold. Central banks, particularly those in countries with strained relationships with the U.S., have been stockpiling gold as well. This trend took off in 2022 after Russia was sanctioned...
Gold prices keep their upside impulse well in place and hit an all-time peak just below the $3,330 mark per troy ounce on Wednesday. Further gains in the precious metal come from a weaker US Dollar, unabated uncertainty surrounding United States (US) tariffs and declining US yields across the curve. Source: Fxstreet
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...