The Hang Seng Index reversed its downward trend in Hong Kong on Thursday (February 12th), weakening by around 0.9% to around 27,000 after a strong session earlier. This decline halted the momentum of the short term rally, as investors began to reduce risk in large cap stocks. Among the index's contributors, Tencent was a major drag, with its shares falling by around 2.3%, putting pressure on the technology sector, which has recently been a driving force behind market gains. Weakness in large cap companies like this typically quickly impacts sentiment due to their significant weighting in...
WTI crude oil futures pared its early session rally to trade below $75 per barrel on Thursday, only marginally below a five-month high, after President Trump's announcement that he will decide on US involvement in the Israel–Iran conflict "within two weeks" defused the immediacy of a Middle East supply shock. Earlier, renewed missile exchanges between Israel and Iran after Tel Aviv claimed to have struck nuclear targets in Iran had stoked fears of an escalation severe enough to threaten tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, driving prices briefly above $77. Trump's initial "may...
Gold price registers modest gains on Thursday as geopolitical tensions rose due to increasing rumors that the United States (US) might become involved in the Israel–Iran conflict. Nevertheless, a slightly hawkish Federal Reserve (Fed) caps the golden metal's advance. At the time of writing, XAU/USD trades at $3,373, up 0.13%. Geopolitics continued to drive Gold's price action due to reports from several US news websites like The Wall Street Journal and CBS News revealing that plans of a US attack on Iran nuclear facilities had been approved by US President Donald Trump, who is weighing his...
Gold (XAU/USD) is trading within a tight range on Thursday, consolidating between $3,360 and $3,400. These levels have repeatedly served as key short-term support and resistance over recent sessions. With the United States (US) observing the Juneteenth holiday, lower trading volumes have resulted in subdued price movements, although underlying risks remain pronounced. Geopolitical tensions persist as significant drivers of Gold prices. Russia has issued a stark warning against potential US military involvement in Iran, describing it as an "extremely dangerous step" with "unpredictable...
The Silver (XAG/USD) edges lower for the second consecutive day on Thursday, retreating from a fresh multi-year high of $37.32 touched on Wednesday, as traders lock in profits following the Federal Reserve's (Fed) cautious policy pause. The Fed held rates steady but signaled that borrowing costs may remain elevated for longer, giving the US Dollar some breathing room and weighing slightly on precious metals. At the time of writing, XAG/USD is down about 1.10% on the day as the metal backs away from its highest level since 2012, drifting lower during the American session to trade near...
The Pound Sterling (GBP) faces selling pressure against its major peers on Thursday as the Bank of England's (BoE) leaves interest rates steady at 4.25%. The BoE was expected to do so as it guided a "gradual and careful" stance to the monetary expansion path in the May policy meeting, following an interest rate reduction by 25 basis points (bps). Investors expected the BoE to leave borrowing rates steady at 4.25%, with a 7-2 majority. However, three Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) members: Swati Dhingra, Dave Ramsden and Alan Taylor have supported for an interest rate cut. These members...