The Hang Seng Index plunged 376 points, or 1.4%, to close at 25,907 on Friday, marking its third consecutive session of decline amid widespread declines across sectors. Market sentiment weakened after China's official PMI showed manufacturing activity contracted at its fastest pace in six months in October, while service sector growth remained weak. Meanwhile, the temporary US-China trade truce failed to boost confidence, with investors viewing it as a short-term respite rather than a meaningful breakthrough. Further pressure came after US Federal Reserve Chairman Powell signaled that a...
Gold is higher in the early Asian session, aided by prospects of demand for the precious metal as a hedge against inflation. U.S. President Trump on Monday announced global 25% tariffs on imports of steel and aluminum to the U.S. Key commodities including gold have absorbed the latest round of inflation-inducing measures of the Trump administration, says Matt Simpson, market analyst at FOREX.com and City Index. Gold's daily chart shows a strong bullish trend which appears averse to any meaningful pullback greater than a day, Simpson adds. Spot gold is 0.3% higher at $2,916.41/oz. Source :...
Gold hit a record high after President Donald Trump imposed 25% tariffs on all U.S. steel and aluminum imports, adding to uncertainty across global markets that has boosted demand for precious assets. Bullion hit an all-time peak above $2,921 an ounce — after jumping 1.7% in the previous session. Trump said Monday that the levies, which take effect March 4, will help boost domestic production and bring more jobs to the U.S., and warned that tariffs "may go higher." The precious metal has surged 11% this year, hitting a series of records, as Trump's disruptive moves on trade and geopolitics...
Oil steadied after its biggest gain in nearly four weeks as tighter Russian crude supplies overshadowed concerns about the impact of President Donald Trump's expanded tariffs. West Texas Intermediate traded above $72 a barrel after rising nearly 2% on Monday, while Brent settled below $76. Russian data showed production last month fell further below the country's OPEC+ quota. Soaring European natural gas prices have also made burning oil more cost-effective, potentially boosting demand for crude. President Trump ordered 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum imports in a sign of a growing trade...
The US Dollar Index (DXY), which measures the value of the US Dollar against a basket of currencies, is trading softer near 108.30 as investors react to mixed economic data and fresh tariff concerns. Market participants are also turning their focus to Federal Reserve (Fed) Chair Jerome Powell's upcoming testimony before Congress for guidance on future interest rate policy. The US Dollar Index remains under pressure, struggling to hold above 108.00 as sellers continue to dominate. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) remains below 50, indicating growing bearish momentum, while the DXY holds...
Crude oil futures rose after three straight weeks of declines as the market shrugged off President Trump's announcement of tariffs on steel and aluminum imports to the U.S., while the dispute between Israel and Hamas over their cease-fire agreement revived some of the geopolitical risk premium that had recently been lost from the market. Israel's statement that Hamas violated the cease-fire by delaying the next planned hostage release added to the rally, said Robert Yawger of Mizuho. He noted that the rally came amid a build in U.S. crude stockpiles as refineries slowed for maintenance,...