European stocks closed sharply higher for a second session on Thursday with continued support from its main sectors as amid optimism that tariffs from the United States will remain below the levels that were previously threatened. The STOXX 50 gained 0.9% to 5,437 and the STOXX 600 added 0.5% to 553. The EU Commission noted it is likely to finalize parts of the trade agreements with the US, holding tariffs on most goods at 15% instead of the steeper threats by US President Trump. Allianz gained over 2%, tracking the strong performances for insurers and reinsurers after Swiss Re delivered...
Oil extended gains as the market turned its attention to trade talks between the U.S. and China later this week after President Donald Trump announced a deal with the U.K. West Texas Intermediate rose above $60 a barrel after rising 3.2% in the previous session. Brent settled near $63. Trump said negotiations with China would produce real progress, although Beijing reiterated its call on Thursday for the U.S. to roll back tariffs before talks. Crude has fallen since mid-January on concerns that Trump's tariffs will hamper economic growth, and as OPEC+ moves to revive stalled production....
GBP/USD kicked off Thursday with an early spat of gains, fueled by the Bank of England (BoE) delivering the market a widely-anticipated quarter point rate cut. However, bullish momentum behind the Pound Sterling evaporated quickly as markets pivoted toward trade headlines from the United States (US). Investors are hoping for quick progress on the US making trade deals that will allow it to climb down from its own self-imposed tariff stance. Market sentiment pinned firmly on the high side and bolstered the US Dollar (USD) after the Trump administration announced an impending trade deal...
The US Dollar Index (DXY), which measures the value of the US Dollar against a basket of currencies, trades near 100.00 on Thursday, lifted modestly by upbeat US data and expectations of extended yield differentials. Markets initially cheered news of a US-UK trade deal, though enthusiasm faded as details confirmed tariffs would remain in place.Daily digest market movers: US Dollar holds ground after muted UK dealUS President Donald Trump announced a "major" trade deal with the United Kingdom, though key tariffs will remain at 10%, limiting market enthusiasm.Investors remain skeptical about...
Gold price tumbled for the second consecutive day as traders erased Bullion's advance on Tuesday, which pushed its gains past the $3,400 figure. The announcement of a US-UK trade deal boosted the US Dollar (USD) to the detriment of XAU/USD, which trades at $ 3,311, down over 1.60%. An upbeat sentiment is taking its toll on Gold prices, which have declined by almost 4% over the last two days. The announcement of a trade deal between the US and the UK, made by President Donald Trump and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, has improved the market mood, as traders seem confident that the US could...
Oil prices rose around 3% on Thursday, buoyed by hopes of a breakthrough in looming trade talks between the United States and China, the world's two largest oil consumers. Brent crude futures were up $1.70, or 2.8%, at $62.82 a barrel at 1:12 p.m. EDT (1712 GMT). U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude rose $1.79, or 3.1%, to $59.86. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will meet with China's top economic official on May 10 in Switzerland for negotiations over a trade war that is disrupting the global economy. Optimism around those talks was providing support to the market, said SEB analyst...