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 pound (GBP) traded subdued against the other major currencies on Wednesday (12/3) as investors looked for fresh cues on next week's Bank of England (BoE) monetary policy meeting. Traders are confident that the BoE will keep interest rates unchanged at 4.5% as a number of officials have been guiding a ‘gradual and cautious' approach to monetary easing. Last week, four BoE policymakers, including Governor Andrew Bailey, guided for a gradual path to "unwinding monetary policy restraint" as persistent inflation is unlikely to fade "on its own". Contrary to them, BoE member Catherine Mann...
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...