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 prices are flat in early Asian trade on cautious mood ahead of the U.S. election later today and the Fed's rate decision this week, ANZ Research analysts say. Latest polls suggest a possible Harris win will weigh on the dollar and provide some support for the precious metal, they say. Meanwhile, the Fed is widely expected to lower rates when it meets later this week. Citi analysts point out that gold has historically unperformed following the U.S. elections due to fading hedging demand. However, Citi believes "the structural gold bull market remains intact and recommend buying into...
Oil futures finished sharply higher Monday after members of OPEC+ - made up of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies - said they would wait yet another month before beginning to unwind 2.2 million barrels a day in production cuts. Natural-gas prices, meanwhile, posted a gain of more than 4%, buoyed by an intensifying weather system, currently referred to as Tropical Depression 18, that may be heading to the Gulf of Mexico, putting oil-and-gas infrastructure at risk. West Texas Intermediate crude CL00 for December delivery CL.1 CLZ24 rose $1.98, or nearly...
Gold edged lower midafternoon as traders turn cautious with the dollar and yields falling ahead of tomorrow's U.S. presidential election and this week's interest-rate decision from the Federal Reserve. Gold for December delivery was last seen down US$3.00 to US$2,746.20 per ounce. The rise comes ahead of Tuesday's U.S. election, with polls showing a tight race between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, as the two candidates offer much different economic policies. Harris is expected to continue much of the Biden Administration's policies while Trump plans blanket tariffs on imports. A...
The Pound Sterling (GBP) is likely to trade in a range, probably between 1.2890 and 1.2980. In the longer run, GBP must break and remain below 1.2845 before a sustained decline can be expected, UOB Group's FX analysts Quek Ser Leang and Lee Sue Ann note. 24-HOUR VIEW: "After GBP dropped sharply last Thursday, we highlighted on Friday that ‘The sharp drop appears to be overdone, and GBP is unlikely to weaken further.' We held the view that GBP ‘is more likely to trade in a range, probably between 1.2860 and 1.2950.' GBP did not weaken further, but instead of trading in a range, it rose to...
Gold is edging lower in early European trade as markets exercise caution ahead of a busy week between the U.S. presidential election and the Federal Reserve's monetary policy decision. Futures trade 0.2% lower at $2,743.00 a troy ounce, but are still up nearly 3% on the month and more than 30% year-to-date. Uncertainty around the election outcome--with the latest opinion polls showing a neck-and-neck race between Vice President Harris and former President Trump--has stoked demand for the safe-haven asset in recent days. Meanwhile, traders expect the Fed to cut rates by 25 basis points,...
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...