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...
Oil prices were stable on Monday as investors weighed up uncertainty over trade talks between the U.S. and China, clouding the outlook for global growth and fuel demand, as well as the prospect of OPEC+ raising supply. Brent crude futures were down 15 cents, or 0.22%, at $66.72 a barrel, as of 1204 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude shed 16 cents, or 0.25%, to $62.86 a barrel. Brent futures rose marginally in the previous two sessions, but nonetheless marked a week-on-week decrease of over 1% on Friday on concerns about the impact of tariffs on the global economy. The U.S.-China...
The US Dollar Index (DXY), which tracks the performance of the US Dollar (USD) against six major currencies, trades broadly flat on Monday just below the 100.00-marker. Over the weekend, United States (US) Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said trade deal negotiations with several Asian countries are underway, while US Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins added that the Trump administration is having "daily conversations" with China over tariffs. However, China said on Monday that it is not engaged in trade negotiations with the US. The country reiterated that there are no winners in a...
The dollar held steady on Monday as investors waited warily on news of U.S. trade policy and braced for a week packed with economic data that may give a first glimpse of whether U.S. President Donald Trump's trade war is hitting home. At 143.69 yen and $1.1325 per euro the dollar has, for now, found a footing, while staying on course for its largest monthly fall in nearly 2-1/2 years as Trump has rattled confidence in the dependability of U.S. assets. It is down more than 4% on both the euro and the yen through April, though bounced at the end of last week on an apparent conciliatory shift...
Oil prices inched higher on Monday though remained dogged by uncertainty over trade talks between the U.S. and China, clouding the outlook for global growth and fuel demand, while the prospect of OPEC+ raising supply cast more gloom. Brent crude futures were up 21 cents, or 0.3%, at $67.08 a barrel, as of 0742 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude gained 24 cents, or 0.4%, to $63.26 a barrel. Both benchmarks nudged higher for a third session. "Absence of news is pushing oil prices modestly higher as traders are positioned short ahead of potential increased OPEC+ supply from the May 5...
Gold futures are flat at $3,298.90 a troy ounce on a stronger U.S. dollar and signs of easing U.S.-China tensions. Gold prices slid on Friday after briefly breaching $3,500/oz earlier in the week. The most interesting point for markets is that buying demand from Asia appears to have dried up, at least for the time being, Pepperstone's Michael Brown says in a note. This could suggest more downside pressure in the near-term, which could be further exacerbated by some investors with weaker long positions bailing out the incredibly crowded gold trade, Brown writes. Given intense market...
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...