Stocks rose Wednesday, adding to their recent momentum as expectations for lower U.S. Federal Reserve rates continue driving the major indexes to all-time highs. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite advanced 0.4% and 0.5%, respectively, reaching fresh record highs. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1250 points, or 0.6%. AMD popped more than 5% to lead gains in tech. Apple also advanced about 1%, along with Oracle. Those moves followed a record-setting session Tuesday sparked by a tamer-than-expected inflation report that gave investors hope of a Fed rate cut in September. Traders...
The Japanese yen weakened to around 154 per dollar on Wednesday, hitting its lowest level in 14 weeks as the dollar and US Treasury yields surged after former President Donald Trump took an early lead against Vice President Kamala Harris in the US presidential race. The results have unfolded largely as expected, with the outcome now hinged on seven key swing states. Domestically, minutes from the Bank of Japan's most recent meeting revealed that board members were in broad agreement on continuing to raise interest rates, as inflation and economic conditions align with the central bank's...
Oil slumped as traders monitored the US presidential election, and an industry report signaled a gain in stockpiles. Brent crude fell below $75 a barrel, with West Texas Intermediate near $71. With polls closed in more than two-thirds of states, Donald Trump had taken an early electoral lead over Kamala Harris, although the contest could take days to settle. A gauge of the US dollar advanced, weighing on most commodities. The outcome of the race for the White House carries the potential for significant shifts in US foreign, energy and climates policy. If Trump were to win,...
Gold was steady as investors monitored a tight US election that could prove massively consequential for financial markets. Bullion was near $2,740 an ounce as a gauge of the dollar rose. Given the closeness of the race between Democrat Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump, it's possible a final result may not be known for days or even longer, with the uncertainty potentially benefiting the precious metal. Some investors in recent weeks have bet heavily on a Trump victory. Trades tied to his pro-growth agenda have buoyed the dollar, which would typically dent...
Front-month gold futures settle up 0.2% to $2,740.30 an ounce, while SPDR Gold shares are up 0.1%. The moves come as U.S. Presidential candidates entered the day seemingly deadlocked. But, a win by either Harris or Trump isn't expected to alter the trajectory for gold prices much, says Taylor Krystkowiak of Themes ETFs. "The U.S. national debt is expected to rise under either candidate regardless of who ultimately wins," says Krystkowiak. "This has been a significant tailwind for gold in the months leading up to the election." Until the election concludes, volumes are expected to stay...
Gold held steady as US election day begins, with a Federal Reserve interest rate decision also due later this week. Bullion was near $2,740 an ounce, just shy of the all-time high set last week. While prices have been relatively stable so far on Tuesday, previous US elections have seen sharp swings. With polls suggesting a photo-finish result, the risk of a disputed outcome means that the vote count could drag on for days or even weeks. Meanwhile, the Fed and some of its rich-world peers are expected to lower borrowing costs later this week. Lower...