The Federal Reserve is expected to deliver its first interest-rate cut this year at its September 16-17 meeting, as it moves to counter a cooling labor market even as inflation remains above target. The anticipated quarter-point reduction may not satisfy President Donald Trump, who wants a bigger cut and has named his White House economic advisor, Stephen Miran, in time to be on the Fed Board at the September meeting, pending Senate confirmation. Here is a look at Fed officials' comments since their last policy meeting, sorting them under the labels "dove" and "hawk" as shorthand for their...
Silver prices are showing increasingly solid fundamentals in mid-2025, driven by a supply deficit, surging industrial demand, and investor interest in safe haven assets. This combination makes silver one of the precious metals with the most promising growth prospects this year. This year is the fifth consecutive year of a global silver supply deficit, with a projected shortfall of 117–149 million ounces. Although mining production has increased slightly, its growth has not been able to keep up with the high surge in demand. Silver is a key component in clean technology and future energy....
Brent crude futures are little changed near $77 a barrel having erased kneejerk opening gains seen after the US launched a series of weekend strikes on key Iranian nuclear sites. US equity futures have also recovered from their opening fall with S&P 500 contracts now up 0.2%. The Stoxx 600 falls 0.2% but again is off its worst levels. Construction, technology and energy stocks outperform in Europe. Chemicals and industrials lag. The Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index extends its climb to 0.5%. The Japanese yen and kiwi dollar are the weakest of the G-10 currencies,...
The U.S. dollar firmed on Monday as nervy investors sought safety, although the restrained moves suggest markets were waiting for Iran's response to U.S. attacks on its nuclear sites that have exacerbated conflict in the Middle East. Iran said on Monday that the U.S. attack on its nuclear sites expanded the range of legitimate targets for its armed forces and called U.S. President Donald Trump a "gambler" for joining Israel's military campaign against the Islamic Republic. The major moves were in the oil market, with crude prices hitting a five-month high, before dipping to trade lower on...
Gold price (XAU/USD) retains its negative bias through the first half of the European session on Monday and currently trades near the lower end of its daily range. The US attack on Iran's nuclear facilities on Sunday raises the risk of a broader conflict in the Middle East and benefits the US Dollar's (USD) status as the global reserve currency. Moreover, the Federal Reserve's (Fed) hawkish signal further underpins the Greenback and contributes to driving flows away from the non-yielding yellow metal. Meanwhile, the risk of a further escalation of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East...
Oil prices surged on Monday to their highest since January as the United States' move over the weekend to join Israel in striking Iran's nuclear facilities stoked supply concerns. Brent crude futures rose $1.52, or 1.97%, to $78.53 a barrel by 0503 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures rose $1.51, or 2.04%, to $75.35. Both contracts jumped more than 3% earlier in the session to $81.40 and $78.40, respectively, touching five-month highs before giving up some of the gains. The price surge came after U.S. President Donald Trump said he had "destroyed" Iran's main nuclear site in an...
President Donald Trump said he would fire Lisa Cook from the Federal Reserve's Board of Governors if she does not resign her post over mortgage-fraud accusations from a top...
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) maintained its cash rate at 4.1% during its April meeting, holding borrowing costs unchanged after slashing 25 bps in the February meeting, aligning with market...