The three major US stock averages fluctuated between small gains and losses on Wednesday, attempting to rebound from Tuesday's weak session, when concerns over lofty AI valuations weighed on sentiment while earnings remained in focus. The tech sector stayed under pressure, while materials and energy outperformed. AMD slipped 1.7% after issuing a revenue forecast that failed to impress investors, and Super Micro Computer tumbled 7.3% following a weaker-than-expected earnings outlook for the current period. Palantir Technologies extended losses, falling 2.3%. Nvidia edged down 0.2%, while...
Silver fell over 1% to around $33 per ounce on Friday, hitting a one-week low as the US dollar rebounded. The dollar's strength came after Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell reaffirmed that the central bank is in no rush to cut interest rates further, despite signaling two potential rate reductions this year. Powell pointed to weakening economic growth and labor market concerns but maintained a cautious stance due to uncertainty surrounding US President Donald Trump's tariff policies and their impact on inflation. Adding to pressure on silver, lingering economic concerns in China dampened...
Gold price (XAU/USD) attracts fresh sellers during the Asian session on Friday and moves away from the all-time peak touched the previous day, though the downside potential seems limited. The US Dollar (USD) attracts buyers for the third successive day and is currently placed near the weekly high, which, in turn, is seen as a key factor exerting pressure on the commodity. Adding to this, bulls opt to take some profits off the table heading into the weekend, especially after the recent historic run. However, bets that the Federal Reserve (Fed) will resume its rate-cutting cycle should cap...
Oil prices rose on Friday, and were set for second consecutive weekly gains, as fresh U.S. sanctions on Iran and a new plan from the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies (OPEC+) to cut output raised bets on tighter supply. Brent crude futures climbed 21 cents, or 0.3%, to $72.21 per barrel by 0435 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures were up 25 cents, or 0.4%, to $68.32 a barrel. On a weekly basis, both Brent and WTI were on track to rise about 2%, their biggest weekly gains since the first week of 2025. The United States Treasury on Thursday announced...
The GBP/USD pair lacks any firm intraday direction on Friday and oscillates in a narrow trading band, around the 1.2960 area during the Asian session. Spot prices, however, remain close to the highest since early November – levels beyond the 1.3000 psychological mark touched on Thursday – and remain at the mercy of the US Dollar (USD) price dynamics. The Federal Reserve (Fed) maintained its forecast for two 25 basis points rate cuts in 2025 at the end of March policy meeting on Wednesday and gave a bump higher to its inflation projection. Adding to this, the uncertainty surrounding US...
Gold traded around $3,030 per ounce on Friday, remaining near record highs, and headed for a third weekly gain, driven by dovish signals from the Federal Reserve and safe-haven demand. On Wednesday, the Fed acknowledged rising economic uncertainty and reaffirmed plans for two rate cuts this year, boosting non-yielding gold. Fed Chair Powell also downplayed President Trump's tariff impact on inflation as "transitory", however he reiterated no urgency to cut rates. Meanwhile, tensions continued to escalate in the Middle East, as Israel expanded its Gaza offensive, Hamas struck Tel Aviv, and...