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 US Dollar (USD) is trading higher on Monday after spending most of its time in red numbers at the start of this week. The turnaround comes on the back of a very upbeat release in the preliminary S&P Global Services Purchase Managers Index (PMI) release for December. A print of 58.5 against the previous 56.1 and the concensus 55.7 is smashing it out of the park and is providing the needed tailwind for the Greenback to get out of its disappointing performance earlier this Monday. The first move on Monday was initiated after Chinese Retail Sales came in at 3.0% for November, below...
The dollar index edged above 107 on Monday, hitting a three-week high, as traders awaited the Fed's interest rate decision and assessed key economic data. The Fed is widely expected to cut the federal funds rate by another 25 basis points, but investors will be closely monitoring the latest economic projections, particularly the prospect of rate cuts by 2025, with markets currently pricing in just three cuts. On the data front, the S&P Global Flash PMI showed surprisingly strong growth in private sector activity this month led by a surge in services while the manufacturing downturn...
Gold (XAU/USD) started the week on a relatively positive note, with the US dollar (USD) weighed down by a slight decline in US Treasury yields and weaker-than-expected US manufacturing figures. However, the precious metal remains close to recent lows after a 2.5% sell-off late last week. US Treasury yields fell on Monday after a sharp rally last week, taking some of the recent bullish pressure off the US dollar. Investors appear cautious about placing directional US dollar bets as they prepare for the all-important Federal Reserve (Fed) monetary policy decision on Wednesday. The market is...
Crude Oil is testing vital support around $70.00, after selling pressure emerged on the back of Chinese Retail Sales data for November which dampened hopes for a speedy recovery in the region. The 3% growth was far below consensus and the situation is set to deteriorate further as tanker rates on key routes to China are falling to the lowest level this year, pointing to even more sluggish demand ahead. Source: FXStreet
Silver Prices (XAG/USD) are trading in a mild positive bias on Monday, trimming some losses after the rejection from levels above $32.00 last week. A mild retreat in US Treasury yields is supporting precious metals on Monday but the overall picture shows the pair vulnerable. The daily chart reveals a sharp reversal pattern last week, which triggered a more than 4% sell-off in the last half of the week. Upside attempts are looking feeble so far, with previous support at $30.85 likely to challenge bulls. Source: Fxstreet