Oil prices rose slightly in trading on Tuesday (January 20) after better-than-expected Chinese economic data boosted demand optimism. Brent crude rose 19 cents (0.3%) to $64.13/barrel, while February WTI which expires today rose 25 cents (0.4%) to $59.69/barrel. The more active March WTI contract also edged higher to around $59.42/barrel. This strengthening was driven by news from China, the world's largest oil importer. The Chinese economy reportedly grew 5.0% through 2025, meeting the government's target. Refinery activity also increased, with refinery throughput rising 4.1% and crude oil...
Brent oil prices today remain heavily influenced by two main factors: the global demand outlook and supply issues from major producing countries. On the demand side, the market is still grappling with concerns about a global economic slowdown amidst the interest rate cut cycle of major central banks, such as the Fed and Europe. On the supply side, Brent prices are held back by geopolitical risk sentiment and signals of a supply glut. Tensions in oil-producing regions (Russia-Ukraine, the Middle East, and policies toward Venezuela and Iran) remain a price-supporting factor, raising the risk...
Gold prices edged up and held around $4,210 per troy ounce, still comfortably above $4,200. Much weaker-than-expected US private employment data (ADP) weakened the dollar, increasing market confidence that the Fed will cut interest rates by 25 basis points next week. This is the "main fuel" for gold.Going forward, gold's direction depends heavily on US jobless claims and PCE inflation data. If the data increasingly indicates a slowing economy and tame inflation, speculation about a rate cut will strengthen, and gold has the opportunity to rise further. If inflation remains hot, gold's upside...
Gold prices rose again in the Asian session on Wednesday (December 3rd) after holding around $4,164, nearing its highest level since late October. This increase was driven by strong expectations that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates next week. Speculation that Jerome Powell's successor might be more dovish also weakened the US dollar, giving room for gold—which offers no yield—to strengthen. In addition to interest rate factors, geopolitical tensions such as the Russia-Ukraine conflict have led investors to return to gold as a safe haven asset. Although sentiment in the stock...
This morning, silver prices remained near their record high, trading around $58 per troy ounce. In the past month, silver prices have risen more than 20% and surged nearly 90% in a year, indicating a very strong uptrend. Although profit-taking has caused prices to fall slightly from their peak of around $57.8–$58, the current position remains in a very high zone compared to a few months ago. This sharp rise was supported by expectations of a Fed interest rate cut in December, a weakening US dollar, and safe-haven sentiment amid global economic uncertainty. Meanwhile, industrial demand for...
Brent oil prices are still moving in a relatively strong area as the market focuses on supply risks and expectations of interest rate cuts. On the supply side, the market remains wary of geopolitical tensions in several major producing regions and the production policies of OPEC+ countries. As long as the market perceives potential tightness in supply, or at least not abundance, oil prices tend to be supported as traders worry about sudden supply disruptions. On the other hand, from a demand perspective, expectations that the Fed and other central banks will begin lowering interest rates...