European stocks opened lower on Wednesday (November 5th), reflecting a global downturn amid growing concerns over sky-high tech valuations. The pan-European Stoxx 600 Index was down 0.4% at 8:20 a.m. in London (3:20 a.m. ET), with most major bourses and sectors in the red. The UK's FTSE 500 Index opened 0.1% lower, Germany's DAX 0.7% lower, France's CAC 40 0.4% lower, and Italy's FTSE MIB 0.3% lower. European tech companies led the decline, with the Stoxx Europe 600 Technology Index down 1.2% following a sharp sell-off in U.S. tech stocks on Tuesday. The sluggish sentiment seen in...
Gold (XAU/USD) prices were flat at $2,915 at the time of writing on Wednesday (3/12) ahead of the release of the US Consumer Price Index (CPI) for February. Market consensus is for a slowdown in all inflation measures, both monthly and yearly. However, many analysts and economists have commented that the current US tariff approach will be inflationary for the US, which could be reflected in the numbers. Meanwhile, traders remain cautious about tariffs after Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi commented that if the US wants to hit China with its steel and aluminium tariffs. Meanwhile, Europe...
Gold (XAU/USD) prices extended its sideways consolidative price movement near weekly tops during the early European session on Wednesday (3/12) as traders remained on the sidelines ahead of the US consumer inflation figures. The crucial US Consumer Price Index (CPI) will be eyed for fresh cues on the Federal Reserve's (Fed) rate cut path, which in turn, will boost the US Dollar (USD) demand and provide a fresh directional impetus to the non-yielding yellow metal. Some repositioning trade ahead of the key data risk helped the USD gain some positive traction and reverse a part of its...
Oil prices edged higher on Wednesday, boosted by a weaker dollar, but rising concerns about a slowing U.S. economy and the impact of tariffs on global growth capped gains. Brent crude futures were up 13 cents, or 0.2%, at $69.69 a barrel by 0730 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures were up 13 cents, or 0.2%, at $66.38 a barrel. Despite the weakening economic outlook, oil prices have held steady in a positive position, said Daniel Hynes, senior commodity strategist at ANZ. "That's a sign that near-term demand for crude oil remains strong," he said. The dollar index (.DXY)...
The dollar struggled on Wednesday to recover from a five-month low against major currencies, as concerns about the U.S. economy eased, given President Donald Trump's unpredictable trade policies. The euro held near a five-month high on growing optimism that the war in Ukraine would end. The Canadian dollar steadied after a volatile session on Tuesday, when Trump vowed to double tariffs on steel and aluminum to 50%, only to reverse course hours later. The Bank of Canada decides policy on Wednesday, with traders expecting another quarter-point rate cut. "Trade uncertainty continues to...
Gold held steady on Wednesday ahead of a key U.S. inflation data that could help gauge the Federal Reserve's interest rate path amid trade tensions and economic slowdown fears, while attention was also on a potential ceasefire deal in Ukraine. Spot gold was flat at $2,915.65 an ounce as of 0455 GMT, while U.S. gold futures were steady at $2,921.00. Investors await U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) data due later in the day to analyse the Fed's interest rate stance going forward this year. If rising price pressures force the Fed to keep interest rates higher, gold may lose its allure as it...