Stocks were lower Thursday as investors digested a batch of Big Tech earnings, while a meeting between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping concluded. The Dow Jones Industrial Average shed 131 points, or 0.3%. The S&P 500 dipped 0.6%. The Nasdaq Composite dropped 0.8%. Megacap tech giants Alphabet, Meta and Microsoft each reported quarterly results after market close Wednesday. While Alphabet shares popped about 4% on the back of strong results, shares of Meta and Microsoft tumbled about 12% and nearly 2%, respectively. Investors grew worried about the increased...
Gold (XAU/USD) prices seesawed between modest gains/minor losses through the first half of the European session on Tuesday (February 4) as it remained close to its all-time tops touched the previous day. US President Donald Trump's decision to temporarily suspend tariffs on Mexico and Canada, after reaching a border security deal with the two countries, boosted investor confidence. The risk-on flow, along with the Federal Reserve's (Fed) hawkish pause, provided a modest lift to the US Treasury bond yields and helped the US Dollar (USD) regain some positive traction after the previous day's...
Silver traded around $31.50 an ounce on Tuesday, holding near its highest level since early December as the escalating trade war between the U.S. and China boosted demand for the safe-haven asset. China announced retaliatory tariffs after President Donald Trump's 10% tariffs on all Chinese imports went into effect. Earlier, Trump agreed to delay imposing 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico for a month after the countries agreed to take tougher action on migration and drug trafficking. Meanwhile, strong manufacturing data from the ISM indicated some long-awaited pickup in U.S. factory activity,...
The Australian dollar (AUD) held firm after China's retaliation after new US tariffs of 10% on all imports from China came into effect on Tuesday (4/2). China's Ministry of Commerce announced that it would impose 15% tariffs on US coal and liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports, along with additional 10% tariffs on crude oil, farm equipment and certain cars. Additionally, to "safeguard national security interests," China imposed export controls on tungsten, tellurium, ruthenium, molybdenum and related products. The AUD/USD pair faces challenges as market volatility remains a concern as...
Gold (XAU/USD) prices attracted some sellers following an intraday rally that re-approached all-time highs and traded in neutral territory heading into the European session on Tuesday (February 4). However, the declines remained muted amid concerns about the potential economic impact of US President Donald Trump's trade tariffs, which may continue to underpin the safe-haven bullion. Moreover, expectations that Trump's protectionist policies will lead to higher US inflation could further benefit the precious metal's status as a hedge against rising prices. Meanwhile, Trump's decision to...
WTI crude oil futures fell below $72 per barrel on Tuesday after China announced a package of tariffs on a range of U.S. products in response to President Donald Trump's tariffs, heightening concerns about a potential trade war between the world's two largest economies. China said it will impose tariffs of 15% on coal and LNG imports from the U.S. and 10% on crude oil, farm equipment, and certain cars, effective February 10. This move came after the passing of a deadline that imposed a 10% U.S. tariff on all Chinese goods. Trump had earlier delayed planned levies on Canada and Mexico by a...