Markets are kicking around the idea of a Federal Reserve rate cut in September, but Morgan Stanley isn't sure, warning that the odds may be closer to 50-50 despite widespread expectations. Strong economic indicators including solid GDP growth, healthy financial conditions, and low volatility stand in the way of a clear case for easing, the bank said in a recent report. Nominal GDP growth remains robust at over 5%, unemployment holds steady at 4.2%, and retail sales continue surpassing expectations, reflecting an economy far from needing stimulus, Morgan Stanley's economists said. "It cannot...
Silver fell to around $31.60 per ounce on Wednesday, marking its fourth straight decline amid demand uncertainties and robust supply. Profit-taking also weighed on silver prices, although the metal remains up about 10% year-to-date. Hecla Mining Company, the largest silver producer in the US, reported a 13% increase in silver output for 2024, mining 16.2 million ounces moz, the second-highest production level in its 134-year history. On the demand side, US silver coin purchases dropped 27% year-on-year in January to 3.5 moz, the lowest January demand since 2018. Meanwhile, softening US...
The dollar index rose 0.2% to around 106.5 on Wednesday, recovering some losses from the previous session as investors awaited crucial economic data to provide further clarity on the outlook. Markets are focused on the second estimate of fourth-quarter GDP growth, due Thursday, and the PCE price index report, set for Friday. The dollar faced pressure on Tuesday after data revealed US consumer confidence had dropped 7 points to an eight-month low of 98.3 in February, well below the forecasted 102.5, marking the third consecutive monthly decline. Growing economic concerns have led markets to...
Oil prices rose marginally on Wednesday, bouncing off two-month lows hit in the prior session after an industry group reported U.S. crude stockpiles fell last week. Brent crude rose 20 cents, or 0.3%, to $73.22 a barrel by 0430 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude oil futures were up 18 cents, or 0.3%, to $69.11. U.S. crude stocks fell 640,000 barrels in the week ended February 21, market sources said on Tuesday, citing American Petroleum Institute data. Official U.S. stockpile data is due later on Wednesday. [API/S] [EIA/S] "If confirmed by the EIA later today, it would mark the first...
EUR/USD retraces its recent gains registered in the previous session, trading around 1.0500 during the Asian hours on Wednesday. The currency pair loses ground as the US Dollar (USD) appreciates amid improving US Treasury yields. The US Dollar Index (DXY), which measures the USD against six major currencies, rises to near 106.50 with 2-year and 10-year yields on US Treasury bonds improving to 4.12% and 4.32%, respectively, at the time of writing.However, weakening US economic data put pressure on the Greenback. The Conference Board's consumer confidence index fell by 7 points in February to...
The Australian Dollar (AUD) remains subdued against the US Dollar (USD) for the fourth consecutive day on Wednesday. The AUD/USD pair remains under pressure after Australia's monthly Consumer Price Index (CPI) showed a 2.5% year-over-year rise in January, matching December's increase. This fell short of market expectations for 2.6% growth. China's Commerce Ministry announced on Wednesday that the country's International Trade Representative and Vice Minister of Commerce, Wang Shouwen, met with US business leaders. The discussions focused primarily on tariffs, though no further details were...
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...