Renewed tensions between the United States and Russia have resurfaced following an incident involving an oil tanker, sparking market concerns about potential disruptions to global energy supplies. Washington's move, associated with tightening oversight and enforcement of sanctions on Russian oil shipments, is viewed by Moscow as provocative and could worsen relations between the two countries. Russia views these actions as an attempt by the United States to suppress Russian energy exports and strengthen its dominance in the global oil market. Meanwhile, Washington argues that these measures...
Oil prices drifted in quiet year-end trading, with investors assessing the outlook for crude for 2025 while tracking developments in the Middle East. West Texas Intermediate was steady above $69 a barrel, after falling 0.7% on Thursday, when Brent also fell. A 10-day volatility gauge for the U.S. crude benchmark has ebbed to its lowest level since 2021. In the Middle East, Israel struck several targets in Yemen that it said were controlled by the Houthis, the last Iran-backed group still fully involved in a regional war that began 14 months ago. Crude prices were on track to end the year...
Gold prices rose on Thursday, driven by safe-haven demand amid light trading volumes following the Christmas holiday, as markets await signals regarding the U.S. economy under the incoming Trump administration and Federal Reserve's rate strategy for 2025. Spot gold rose 0.7% to $2,633.32 per ounce. U.S. gold futures added 0.6% to $2,650.20. "Some of gold's gains had to do with what's going on in Ukraine with Russia hitting Ukraine's electrical system," said Daniel Pavilonis, senior market strategist at RJO Futures. President Joe Biden said on Wednesday he asked the U.S. Defense Department...
Oil held steady after a rally, with stimulus measures in China and a U.S. industry report that signaled another draw in stockpiles in focus. Brent traded below $74 a barrel after rising 1.3% on Tuesday, with West Texas Intermediate nearing $70. In a bid to boost growth, China has given local officials more freedom in how they invest government bond proceeds, while keeping interest rates unchanged for now. Policymakers pledged a "moderately loose" monetary stance in the top crude importer earlier this month. In the U.S., the American Petroleum Institute said commercial crude inventories...
Oil rose as stimulus measures in China may help to bolster demand, and a US industry report flagged another drop in stockpiles. Brent climbed toward $74 a barrel after a 1.3% gain on Tuesday, with West Texas Intermediate above $70. In a bid to bolster growth, China is giving local officials more leeway in how they invest proceeds of government bonds, while keeping interest rates steady for now. Policymakers pledged a "moderately loose" monetary stance in the top crude importer earlier this month. Source: Bloomberg
Gold edges higher in early Asian trade. In the short- and medium-term, prices may experience fluctuations and volatility as there is no overall driving force amid the holidays, analysts at Nanhua Futures write in a note. For now, markets continue to expect the Fed to keep rates on hold in January, they add. Spot gold is 0.2% higher at $2,620.85/oz. Source: Bloomberg
Asian stock markets fell in unison on Thursday, following Wall Street's decline. A brief rally in tech stocks led by Nvidia quickly faded, prompting investors to turn away from riskier assets like...
European stock indices closed marginally lower on Wednesday as equities took a breather from their recent strong momentum, while investors continued to assess the outlook for the ECB's policy this...
The upcoming Supreme Court ruling on the legality of President Donald Trump's massive tariffs, which rocked markets in April, is one of the next major tests for US stocks and bonds.
Equity markets...