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...
Oil prices edged higher on Thursday, the first trading day for 2025, as investors returning from holidays cautiously eyed China's economy and fuel demand following President Xi Jinping's pledge to boost growth. Brent crude futures were up 16 cents, or 0.21%, at $74.80 a barrel by 0829 GMT after closing up 65 cents on Tuesday, the last trading day for 2024. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures were up 16 cents, or 0.22%, at $71.88 a barrel after closing up 73 cents in the previous session. Xi said Tuesday in his New Year's speech that the country will implement more proactive policies...
Gold (XAU/USD) prices rose for the third straight session on Thursday, after rising more than 27% in 2024, marking its best performance since 2010. The upward momentum was driven by US monetary easing, persistent geopolitical tensions, and record central bank buying. However, non-interest-bearing gold may face some headwinds as the Federal Reserve (Fed) is expected to take a more cautious approach to further interest rate cuts in 2025, signaling a shift in its aggressive monetary policy stance. The shift is driven by uncertainty surrounding potential policy changes under the Trump...
EUR/USD traded vulnerable and held near more than a month-low around 1.0350 on the first trading day of the year. The major currency pair is in a tough spot as the US Dollar (USD) holds near more than two-year highs, with the Dollar Index (DXY) trading around 108.50 on optimism that the Federal Reserve (Fed) will cut interest rates lower than previously anticipated this year. Source: FXStreet
Oil steadied in the first session of the new year as an industry report signaled US crude stockpiles continued to shrink. Brent traded below $75 a barrel after giving up an earlier gain, and West Texas Intermediate was near $72. A report from the American Petroleum Institute showed inventories fell by 1.4 million barrels last week, which would be a sixth straight draw if confirmed by government data later Thursday. Oil has been stuck in a narrow range since mid-October, with Brent posting a modest annual decline and WTI ending 2024 little changed. Investors...
Oil prices nudged higher on Thursday, the first day of trade for 2025, as investors returning from holidays cautiously eyed a recovery in China's economy and fuel demand following a pledge by President Xi Jinping to promote growth. Brent crude futures rose 17 cents, or 0.06%, to $74.82 a barrel by 0547 GMT after settling up 65 cents on Tuesday, the last trading day for 2024. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures gained 19 cents, or 0.26%, to $71.91 a barrel after closing 73 cents higher in the previous session. China's factory activity grew in December, according to the private-sector...