Hong Kong stocks plunged 332 points (-1.3%) to 25,192 in Friday morning trading, extending their decline into a second session. Selling pressure spread across most sectors, particularly financials, technology, and consumer discretionary, as regional risk appetite weakened. Sentiment was weighed down after Chinese data for July showed industrial output and retail sales below expectations, confirming slowing economic momentum amid persistent external risks, weather disruptions, and weak domestic demand. The surveyed unemployment rate also rose to 5.2%, a four-month high. Nevertheless, the...
Oil prices plunged more than $2 a barrel in Asian trade on Monday as OPEC+ prepared to further accelerate oil output increases, stoking concerns about more supply coming into a market clouded by an uncertain demand outlook. Brent crude futures fell $2.21, or 3.61%, to $59.08 a barrel by 0653 GMT while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude was at $56.00 a barrel, down $2.29, or 3.93%. Both contracts touched their lowest levels since April 9 at the open on Monday after OPEC+ agreed to accelerate oil output increases for a second straight month, increasing output in June by 411,000 barrels per...
The USD/CHF pair struggled to capitalize on Friday's US jobs data-led uptick from the 0.8200 level and attracted fresh sellers at the start of a new week. However, the spot prices remained confined within a familiar range for the past two weeks and are currently trading around the 0.8235-0.8230 region, down nearly 0.50% for the day. The better-than-expected release of the closely watched US Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP) report forced investors to push back their expectations for a 25 basis points (bps) interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve (Fed) to July from June. However, the US Dollar (USD)...
Silver (XAG/USD) prices halted a four-day decline, trading near $32.10 during the Asian session on Monday (05/05). The precious metal regained ground as ongoing uncertainty surrounding US-China trade talks fueled safe-haven demand. On Friday, China's Ministry of Commerce said it was considering a proposal from the United States (US) to resume trade discussions. This came after US President Donald Trump stated that negotiations were ongoing, although he clarified that no talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping were scheduled for this week. The US dollar (USD) also weakened, increasing the...
The GBP/USD pair strengthened to around 1.3290 during the early European session on Monday (05/05). The US dollar (USD) weakened against the British pound (GBP) amid rising economic uncertainties following US President Donald Trump's erratic trade policies. According to the daily chart, the bullish outlook for GBP/USD remains intact, as the price is holding above the key 100-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA). The upside momentum is supported by the 14-day Relative Strength Index (RSI), which is above the midline near 55.60, indicating the path of least resistance is to the upside. The...
Gold prices rose on Monday, supported by a weaker dollar, as investors awaited further details on U.S.-China trade relations, along with a Federal Reserve policy meeting later this week. Spot gold was up 0.5% at $3,256.85 an ounce, by 0416 GMT. U.S. gold futures were up 0.7% at $3,265.10. The dollar (.DXY), opens in a new tab, fell 0.3% against a basket of currencies, making gold more attractive to holders of other currencies. "The U.S. dollar appears to be weakening ahead of this week's Fed meeting, which could allow gold to gain a bit," said Tim Waterer, chief market analyst at KCM...