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...
The US Dollar Index (DXY), which tracks the performance of the US Dollar (USD) against six major currencies, is falling flat after the US data release. Clearly, market participants are not fond of the Greenback at this moment amidst tariff uncertainty. Richmond Federal Reserve (Fed) Bank President Thomas Barkin said the economic reading is wrapped in a thick fog and is unclear for the Fed to read where rates should go, while recession fears are still on the table, CNBC reports. The economic data releases for this week could get things moving in the runup to the Nonfarm Payrolls data to be...
Oil steadied after President Donald Trump dialed back comments on Russia that triggered the biggest price jump since January, while markets count down to the arrival of tariffs. Brent crude for June traded below $75 a barrel, after the contract gained 2.8% on Monday. US equity futures retreated and gold extended its increase as traders awaited details on President Trump's reciprocal tariff plan, in what he has dubbed "Liberation Day." Trump also threatened so-called "secondary tariffs" on buyers of Russian oil, potentially hurting flows from one of the world's top three producers. But...
Gold prices hit an all-time high on Tuesday amid strong demand for safe havens driven by concerns that US retaliatory tariffs might fuel inflationary pressures and hinder economic growth. Spot gold rose 0.2% to $3,131.00 per ounce, after hitting a record high of $3,148.88 earlier in the session. Gold futures also gained to reach $3,158.50 per ounce. In the previous session, gold prices recorded their highest quarterly performance since 1986. "The anticipation of the April 2 US reciprocal tariffs has led market participants to lean towards a defensive stance, with some de-risking and...
Silver (XAG/USD) oscillates in a narrow trading band following the previous day's good two-way price moves, though it holds above the $34.00 mark through the Asian session on Tuesday. Moreover, the white metal remains close to a multi-month high, around the $34.60 area touched last Friday. Looking at the broader picture, the recent strong positive move witnessed since the beginning of 2025 has been along an upward-sloping channel. This points to a well-established short-term uptrend. Furthermore, oscillators on the daily chart are holding comfortably in positive territory and are still away...
Gold hit a record at the start of the new quarter as a major escalation in US President Donald Trump's trade tariffs due this week heightened concerns about the global economy and fanned haven demand. Bullion neared $3,150 an ounce, on pace for a fourth day of gains. Traders are on edge as Trump plans to announce sweeping levies on all of America's trading partners on Wednesday, raising the risks of retaliatory measures. The precious metal has been one of the strongest performing commodities this year, posting its best quarter since 1986 in the opening three...