The Hang Seng dipped 223 points or 0.9% to close at 24,859 on Friday, reversing gains from the prior four sessions amid broad-based losses. Sentiment soured ahead of the August 12 deadline for China to reach a lasting tariff deal with the Trump administration. Traders also remained cautious ahead of China's July CPI and PPI data due Saturday, with expectations for a slight drop in consumer prices amid weak demand and continued producer deflation due to lingering trade risks. The tech sector led losses, down around 1.5%, pressured by a nearly 8% plunge in chipmaker SMIC after disappointing...
Oil prices rose $1 on Thursday after drones struck Iraqi Kurdistan oil fields for a fourth day, pointing to continued risk in the volatile region. Brent crude futures settled at $69.52 a barrel, up $1.00, or 1.46%. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures finished at $67.54 a barrel, up $1.16, or 1.75%. Officials pointed to Iran-backed militias as the likely source of attacks this week on the oilfields in Iraqi Kurdistan, although no group has claimed responsibility. Oil output in the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region has been slashed by between 140,000 and 150,000 barrels per day, two...
The US Dollar (USD) gains positive traction on Thursday, recovering from a brief wobble late Wednesday after reports emerged that US President Donald Trump was considering firing Federal Reserve (Fed) Chair Jerome Powell. Market tensions eased after Trump walked back the threat, stating it was "highly unlikely" that he would dismiss Powell. The Greenback also finds support from stronger-than-expected Retail Sales data, which highlights resilient consumer spending and reduces the likelihood of near-term Fed rate cuts. The US Dollar Index (DXY), which tracks the value of the Greenback against...
Gold (XAU/USD) is experiencing a pullback on Thursday as traders digest US Retail Sales data and await further comments from Federal Reserve (Fed) officials. The yellow metal trades near $3,335 at the time of writing, down 0.30% on the day. With the timing of when the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates still uncertain, several members of the central bank are scheduled to speak throughout the day. Comments from Governor Adriana Kugler, San Francisco President Mary Daly, Governor Lisa Cook, and Governor Christopher Waller will be monitored closely. So far, comments from Kugler that it...
Silver (XAG/USD) is edging lower on Thursday, trading around $37.57 after logging a modest gain of nearly 0.56% on Wednesday. The metal remains elevated after marking a 14-year high of $39.13 earlier this week, but momentum has cooled as the price consolidates just below that peak. A stronger-than-expected US Retail Sales report for June, which showed a 0.6% monthly rise versus the 0.1% forecast, boosted the US Dollar and Treasury yields, putting mild pressure on Silver. Traders are now watching to see whether the uptrend can resume or if a deeper pullback is on the Source: Fxstreet
Oil prices rose on Thursday (July 17), even as global trade tensions appeared to ease. Analysts cited low inventories and emerging Middle East risks as factors supporting the market. Brent crude futures rose 31 cents, or about 0.5%, to $68.83 per barrel at 12:03 GMT. US West Texas Intermediate crude rose 61 cents, or 0.9%, to $66.99. US President Donald Trump said letters notifying smaller countries about their US tariffs would be sent soon, and also mentioned the prospect of a deal with Beijing on drugs and a possible agreement with the European Union. "Near-term prices are expected to...