Gold briefly weakened to around $3,750 per ounce on Wednesday, but remained near a new record as the market digested the Fed's comments. Jerome Powell struck a cautious tone—emphasizing the balance between stubborn inflation and a weakening labor market—while Michelle Bowman left open the possibility of faster easing if employment conditions continue to deteriorate. The next direction awaits the August PCE release and speeches by other Fed officials. Gold sentiment was also supported by geopolitical tensions after Russia's violation of Estonian airspace triggered a NATO response, as well as...
Oil prices weakened following the Trump-Putin meeting in Alaska today. Brent fell 0.93% to $66.18/barrel at the time of writing.The market is weighing the possibility of a ceasefire in Ukraine, which could lead to the easing of Russian oil sanctions, versus a stalemate that risks triggering secondary US sanctions.Sentiment is also underscored by weak Chinese data (falling factory output, slowing retail sales) and concerns about a supply surplus as OPEC+ production increases. The IEA assesses that the market is likely oversupplied, making prices easily bearish. Oil prices at the time of...
Silver prices held below $38 an ounce on Friday after falling more than 1% in the previous session, as hotter-than-expected US producer inflation dampened hopes for a significant Federal Reserve interest rate cut in September. Weekly jobless claims also came in at 224,000, below the 228,000 forecast, indicating some labor market resilience. The market still rates more than a 90% chance of a 25 basis point cut next month, but the chances of a larger 50 bps move have been erased. Source: Newsmaker.id
Gold prices held steady on Friday (August 15th), continuing the previous session's decline and on track for their worst week since late June. Sentiment was weighed down after a series of stronger-than-expected US data eroded hopes of a significant Fed interest rate cut, causing the dollar and US bond yields to strengthen and dampen interest in non-yielding assets like gold. Pressure intensified after the US PPI rose at its fastest pace in three years in July, well above consensus, indicating that companies were beginning to pass on tariff-induced import cost increases to final...
The oil market is currently facing strong bearish fundamental pressure. The IEA estimates that global supply will increase rapidly—around 2.5 million barrels per day in 2025—while demand growth continues to weaken, reaching only around 680,000 bpd, due to weak consumption in developed countries, as well as China, India, and Brazil. OPEC+ responded by ending its production cuts and instead increasing output, exacerbating the global surplus. Recent data shows that US shale oil producers are reducing investment and even decommissioning rigs as oil prices fall below breakeven. Other analysis...
Silver prices held above $38.50 per ounce on Thursday (August 14th), hovering near a three-week high as expectations of a deeper Federal Reserve interest rate cut this year buoyed the market. Weaker US inflation data suggested that President Donald Trump's tariffs were not adding to price pressures, while signs of a weakening labor market reinforced the dovish outlook. The market is almost fully pricing in a September rate cut, with some anticipating a larger 50 basis point cut. Additionally, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent called for multiple rate cuts and said the Fed could begin...