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 Australian Dollar (AUD) remains steady against the US Dollar (USD) following the release of China's economic data on Monday. Additionally, the AUD/USD pair gained ground as the US Dollar (USD) edges lower ahead of Retail Sales data release later in the North American session. China's retail sales grew by 4% year-over-year in January-February, improving from December's 3.7% increase. Meanwhile, industrial production rose 5.9% YoY during the same period, exceeding the 5.3% forecast but slightly lower than the previous reading of 6.2%. The AUD could gain ground as China unveiled a special...
Gold edges higher in the early Asian session, underpinned by ongoing global trade tensions. "Tariff concerns that risk higher inflation and slower economic growth are spurring demand for safe-haven assets like gold," ING's Ewa Manthey says in a research report. "We see uncertainty over trade and tariffs continuing to buoy gold prices - and if trade tensions intensify and we see more retaliatory measures, safe-haven demand for gold will continue," the commodities strategist adds. Spot gold is 0.2% higher at $2,989.79/oz. Source: Marketwatch
Oil rose for a second day after China, the world's biggest importer, said it would take steps to revive consumption by boosting incomes. Brent crude climbed above $71 a barrel after advancing 1% on Friday, with West Texas Intermediate near $68. Beijing will also give details on policies to stabilize stock and real estate markets, lift wages and boost the nation's birth rate, state-run news agency Xinhua reported. Crude has fallen more than 10% from this year's high in January, as US President Donald Trump's escalating trade war, an OPEC+ decision to increase supply...
The Pound Sterling (GBP) registers back-to-back bearish days, dropping some 0.14% on Friday against the Greenback after economic data from the United Kingdom (UK) revealed that the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) contracted. Despite this, GBP/USD is trading above the 1.2900 figure, poised to finish the day near this level.GBP/USD pressured after UK GDP miss while rising US inflation expectations complicate Fed's next moveRecently, data from the University of Michigan (UoM) showed that Consumer Sentiment in March deteriorated, from 64.7 to 57.9, below forecast of 63.1. Notably, inflation...
Oil prices rebounded by 1% on Friday to end the week nearly unchanged as investors weighed the diminishing prospects of a quick end to the Ukraine war that could bring back more Russian energy supplies to Western markets. Brent crude futures settled 70 cents, or 1%, higher at $70.58 a barrel, after falling 1.5% in the previous session. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude (WTI) (CLc1) closed at $67.18 a barrel, up 63 cents, or 1%, after losing 1.7% on Thursday. Both benchmarks ended the week little changed from last Friday, when Brent settled at $70.36 and WTI at $67.04. "Brent oil has...
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.
It...
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...