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...
Gold is headed for its biggest weekly gain since October last year as the escalating Russia-Ukraine conflict boosts its safe-haven appeal, with traders also weighing the prospect of further easing by the Federal Reserve. Bullion rose 1.4% to $2,706.73 an ounce at 9:43 a.m. in London after Ukraine said Russia launched a "new" type of ballistic missile toward the city of Dnipro in a worrying signal to Kyiv's Western backers. Rising geopolitical tensions tend to drive investors into safe-haven assets, such as bullion. "The counter-escalation between Russia and Ukraine has raised the...
Oil prices edged higher on Friday, on track for a weekly gain of more than 4%, as the Ukraine war escalated, with Russian President Vladimir Putin warning of a global conflict. Brent crude futures rose 17 cents, or 0.2%, to $74.40 a barrel by 0722 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude rose 20 cents, or 0.3%, to $70.30 a barrel. Both contracts jumped 2% on Thursday and were set to close the week up more than 4%, their strongest performance since late September, as Moscow escalated its attacks on Ukraine after Britain and the United States allowed Kyiv to attack Russia with their...
Gold prices were headed for their best week in a year on Friday, supported by safe-haven demand amid further escalations in the Russia-Ukraine war, while investors assessed the outlook for U.S. interest rate cuts. Spot gold rose 0.7% to $2,688.70 per ounce as of 0306 GMT. Bullion was up nearly 5% for the week so far, its best week since early October 2023. U.S. gold futures gained 0.6% to $2,691.00. Meanwhile, the Chicago Federal Reserve President on Thursday reiterated his support for further U.S. interest rate cuts and his openness to slowing them down. Markets are pricing in a 55.9%...
Oil prices rose on Friday after Russia said it had fired a ballistic missile at Ukraine and warned of a broadening conflict, raising the prospect of tightening crude supplies. Brent crude futures gained 14 cents, or 0.2%, to $74.37 a barrel by 0007 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures rose 17 cents, or 0.2%, to $70.27 per barrel. Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that the Ukraine war was growing into a global conflict after the U.S. and Britain allowed Ukraine to strike Russia with their weapons. Putin, who said Russia responded to the use of U.S. andBritish...
The Japanese yen held around 154.3 per dollar on Friday after gaining some ground in the previous session, as investors digested the latest economic releases. Data showed that Japan's headline inflation rate slowed to a nine-month low of 2.3% in October, while the core inflation rate also dropped to 2.3%, a six-month low, slightly above the forecast of 2.2%. A separate report indicated that manufacturing activity in Japan contracted more than expected in November, although services activity expanded. Meanwhile, Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda signaled the possibility of another rate hike...
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...