Federal Reserve Bank of New York President John Williams said Thursday that he sees lower risks to inflation as tariffs have driven up price pressures less than expected. "I see on the margin...a reduction of some of the upside risks to inflation" from tariffs, Williams told reporters after speaking at the Economic Club of New York. He noted this reduction comes alongside greater clarity about future economic policy. Williams acknowledged that President Donald Trump's import tax increases are "definitely" affecting price pressures, but added that in terms of tariff pass-throughs to higher...
Oil prices settled more than 1% higher on Friday and recorded a weekly gain in low trading volume ahead of year-end, buoyed by a larger-than-expected drawdown from U.S. crude inventories last week. Brent crude futures rose 91 cents, or 1.2%, to settle at $74.17 per barrel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures rose 98 cents, or 1.4%, to $70.60 per barrel.On a weekly basis, both Brent and WTI crude gained about 1.4%.U.S. crude oil inventories fell by 4.2 million barrels in the week ended Dec. 20 as refiners ramped up activity and the holiday season boosted fuel demand, data from the...
Silver price (XAG/USD) falls to near $29.60 in a thin trading volume session following holidays on Christmas and Boxing Day on Friday. The white metal is under pressure even though tensions in the Middle East region between Israel and Iran have escalated. On Thursday, Israel launched missiles at the Iran-backed Houthis military and bombed Yemini airport. After the air assault, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in an interview with an Israeli TV station of the Houthis, "We are just getting started with them". Israel retaliated to last week's air assault by Iran. Historically,...
Gold prices slipped on Friday as elevated U.S. Treasury yields dimmed non-yielding bullion's allure in a holiday-thinned week, with markets focused on President-elect Donald Trump's return to office and the potential impact of his inflationary policies on the Fed's 2025 outlook. Spot gold fell 0.7% to $2,615.99 per ounce. U.S. gold futures were down 0.8% to $2,633.5. Treasury yields are a little bit higher here, and gold will remain under pressure through the end of today ... we are here in a thin holiday market," said Bob Haberkorn, senior market strategist at RJO Futures. The dollar...
Gold prices eased on Friday but were set for a weekly gain as investors gravitated towards safe-haven assets amid political uncertainty in the Middle East, overshadowing pressure from a firmer dollar. Spot gold fell 0.8% to $2,614.39 per ounce. U.S. gold futures were down 0.9% to $2,629.7. "There remain geopolitical hotspots around the globe, which is keeping gold in play from a safe haven perspective," said Tim Waterer, chief market analyst at KCM Trade. "Between Russia-Ukraine and events in Gaza, investors remain keen on gold in case either situation flares up further." In the Middle...
Oil rose 1% on Friday and was on track for a weekly gain, spurred by expectations of a stimulus-driven economic recovery in China, the world's biggest oil importer, and by forecasts of lower U.S. inventories. Analysts polled by Reuters had expected U.S. crude stocks to have declined by about 1.9 million barrels last week and market sources said the American Petroleum Institute put the decline at 3.2 million barrels. Brent crude futures were up 74 cents, or 1%, at $74 a barrel by 1404 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude rose 80 cents, or 1.15%, from Thursday's close to $70.42. For the...
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...