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...
Silver (XAG/USD) prices extended its upward momentum for the fourth straight day, trading around $33.90 per troy ounce during European trading hours on Friday (3/14). The precious metal benefited from rising safe-haven demand amid escalating global trade tensions. Market concerns escalated after US President Donald Trump threatened 200% tariffs on European wine, champagne and other spirits in response to the EU's 50% tariffs on American whiskey. Silver, a non-interest-bearing asset, gained support from rising expectations of a Federal Reserve (Fed) interest rate cut following weak US...
Gold hit an all-time high on Friday, boosted by uncertainty over U.S. tariffs, trade tensions and growing expectations of monetary easing by the Federal Reserve. Spot gold fell 0.1% to $2,984.71 an ounce by 0701 GMT. Earlier in the session, safe-haven bullion hit a record high of $2,993.80 and held near the key $3,000 milestone. Bullion is on track for a second straight weekly gain, up 2.5% so far. U.S. gold futures rose 0.2% to $2,997.50. "The market's risk-off stance reflects investors' expectations that trade tensions are likely to worsen before easing, and is turning to safe-haven...
The US Dollar Index (DXY), which tracks the US Dollar (USD) against six major currencies, extends its winning streak for a third consecutive day amid improved Treasury yields. The DXY is trading near 104.00 with 2- and 10-year yields on US Treasury bonds standing at 3.96% and 4.29%, respectively, during Asian hours on Friday. The Greenback strengthened after better-than-expected jobless claims and weaker-than-anticipated Producer Price Index (PPI) data released on Thursday. Traders now await the preliminary Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index for March, set for release in the North American...
Gold price (XAU/USD) extends its consolidative price move near the all-time peak touched the Asian session on Friday. Positive comments out of the White House and from Canadian officials, along with reports that there will be enough Democratic votes to avoid a US government shutdown, boost investors' confidence. This is evident from a generally positive tone around the equity markets, which, along with some follow-through US Dollar (USD) buying for the third straight day, acts as a headwind for the safe-haven precious metal. However, the growing market acceptance that the Federal Reserve...
Oil prices rebounded on Friday to recover some of their more than 1% losses in the previous session, partly due to diminishing prospects of a quick end to the Ukraine war that could bring back more Russian energy supplies. Brent crude futures rose 46 cents, or 0.7%, to $70.34 a barrel by 0406 GMT after settling 1.5% lower in the previous session. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude was at $67.03 a barrel, up 48 cents, or 0.7%, after closing down 1.7% on Thursday. Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that Moscow supported a U.S. proposal for a ceasefire in Ukraine in principle,...
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...