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...
USD/CHF continued its gains for the second consecutive session, trading around 0.8060 during the Asian session on Tuesday (August 26th). The pair strengthened as the US dollar (USD) recovered its recent losses after US Federal Reserve (Fed) Governor Lisa Cook refused to resign following US President Donald Trump's announcement of her dismissal from the Fed's board of directors. Cook stated that she would not resign and would continue to serve. The USD/CHF pair's upside is likely limited as the Swiss franc (CHF) may strengthen amid rising safe-haven demand, driven by growing concerns over...
Silver prices climbed above $38.7 per ounce on Tuesday, rebounding from the previous session's losses after US President Donald Trump announced the removal of Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook over alleged mortgage fraud. The move fueled concerns about the Fed's independence and its ability to maintain monetary policy free from political influence. Analysts noted that Cook's dismissal could raise the likelihood of earlier interest rate cuts, given Trump's persistent pressure on the central bank to lower borrowing costs. On the industrial side, silver demand was underpinned by strong...
Oil dropped after a four-day gain as investors waited for clearer signals on supplies, while also tracking the wider market fallout from President Donald Trump's move to oust a Federal Reserve governor. Brent fell toward $68 a barrel, while West Texas Intermediate was below $65. On Monday, the Department of Homeland Security issued a draft notice to double tariffs on all Indian imports to penalize the country for buying Russian crude. The move — due to take effect Wednesday — is part of broader effort to broker a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine. In wider markets,...
EUR/USD holds gains after registering more than three-quarters of a percent in the previous session, trading around 1.1630 during the Asian hours on Tuesday. The pair holds ground as the US Dollar (USD) faces challenges amid concerns over Federal Reserve (Fed) independence after the US President Donald Trump threatened to remove Fed Governor Lisa Cook. President Trump posted a letter on social media early Tuesday, saying that he was removing Fed Governor Cook from her position on the Fed's board of directors. However, Cook said that she will not resign as there is no cause exists for her to...
The US Dollar Index (DXY), which tracks the Greenback's value against six major currencies, corrects to 98.30 during the Asian trading session on Tuesday, following a decent recovery move the previous day. The US Dollar (USD) faces selling pressure as the independence of the Federal Reserve (Fed), which is an autonomous body and its decisions are not impacted by political influence, has been dampened after the removal of Federal Reserve (Fed) Governor Lisa Cook by United States (US) President Donald Trump over mortgage allegations. Last week, US President Trump called Fed Governor Cook to...
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...