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...
West Texas Intermediate (WTI), the US crude oil benchmark, is trading around $70.80 during the early Asian session on Tuesday. The WTI price extends the recovery amid concerns of near-term supply tightness. The United States (US) imposed a fresh round of sanctions, the Treasury and State Departments announced on Monday, targeting companies and individuals, including the head of Iran's national oil company. This might add to concerns of near-term supply tightness, weighing on the WTI price. On the other hand, traders will closely monitor the developments surrounding further tariff policies...
Gold consolidates in early Asian trade, but potential profit-taking may weigh after front-month gold futures settled at a fresh record high overnight. The recent uptrend in the precious metal coincided with negative signs over the future of economic activities and the labor market in the U.S., XS.com's Samer Hasn says in an email. These sources of uncertainty have added to those prevailing globally such as concerns over trade conflict between the U.S. and the rest of the world, the senior market analyst adds. Spot gold is little changed at $2,952.39/oz. Source: Marketwatch
GBP/USD was volatile on Monday (24/2), surging to a fresh 10-week high before slumping back to the day's opening bid near 1.2630. Cable failed to reclaim the 1.270 handle, and price action has fallen back below the 200-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA) near 1.2660. A resurgence in US inflation figures late last week sparked a fresh round of risk aversion. Investors will be focused on the upcoming US Personal Consumption Expenditure (PCE) inflation data due later this week. Traders are hoping that the early-year uptick in key inflation data from the US will recede quickly and not turn...
Oil prices edged up on Monday as new U.S. sanctions on Iran and a commitment to compensate for excess production by Iraq added to concerns about a short-term supply squeeze, helping the market recover some of Friday's steep losses. Brent crude futures rose 45 cents, or 0.6%, to $74.88 a barrel by 1:39 p.m. EST (1839 GMT), after closing at their lowest since Feb. 6 on Friday. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures rose 43 cents, or 0.6%, to $70.83, recovering from their lowest settlement so far this year in the previous session. The U.S. Treasury Department imposed a new round of...
Gold prices surged during the North American session after hitting a record high of $2,956 as the greenback weakened and US Treasury yields fell. At the time of writing, XAU/USD was trading at $2,949, up 0.49%. Uncertainty kept Bullion prices firm as investors weighed US President Donald Trump's proposed trade policies. Geopolitics continued to be in the second stage as the Ukraine-Russia conflict appeared closer to being resolved, while rising tensions in the Middle East fueled demand for Gold. Gold prices have been on the rise for the past eight weeks, driven by the most significant net...
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...