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...
Silver (XAG/USD) prices extended its gains for the third straight session, trading around $32.00 during Asian hours on Wednesday. The demand outlook for precious metals, including Silver, in the world's largest raw material consumer has improved following news of potential economic stimulus from China. The Politburo announced plans to adopt a "moderately loose" monetary policy and a "more proactive" approach to fiscal stimulus next year, marking a shift from the more cautious tone of the past decade. Silver prices are getting support from the increasing odds of the US Federal Reserve (Fed)...
The dollar index held steady around 106.3 on Wednesday, after three straight days of gains, as investors braced for a crucial US inflation report that could have a significant impact on Federal Reserve policy. A higher-than-expected inflation reading could delay the Fed's plans to reduce borrowing costs, potentially supporting the US dollar. That said, markets are currently pricing in an 86% chance of a 25 basis point rate cut by the Fed later this month, although the outlook for 2025 remains highly uncertain. Traders are also eyeing interest rate decisions from the Bank of Canada and the...
The Australian Dollar (AUD) hovers against the US Dollar (USD) on Wednesday after experiencing losses in the previous session. The AUD/USD pair faced challenges, driven by the broadly stronger US dollar (USD). Traders now focus on the release of crucial US November Consumer Price Index (CPI) data, which are expected to be released later in the North American session. The US CPI inflation is estimated to rise to 2.7% YoY in November from 2.6% in October. Meanwhile, the core CPI, excluding Food & Energy, is expected to increase 3.3% YoY. Any indications of stalled progress could...
West Texas Intermediate (WTI), the US crude oil benchmark, is trading around $68.20 on Wednesday. The WTI price remains on the defensive amid a surprise climb in crude inventories and weak demand outlooks, particularly in China. However, the escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East might cap the downside for the WTI price. WTI prices edges lower after disappointing China's international trade data on Tuesday. China's exports rose 6.7% YoY in November, while Imports fell by 3.9% YoY during the same period. Both the readings came below the market consensus. Additionally, China...
EUR/USD shed close to 0.2% on Tuesday, chalking in a third straight declining trading day and testing down into the 1.0500 handle as the Euro's near-term bullish recovery fizzles out. Fiber is backsliding into a cautious stance ahead of a key US Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation print due on Wednesday, with another rate call from the European Central Bank (ECB) just around the corner on Thursday. Wednesday's CPI inflation print, which serves as one of the last key data releases before the Federal Reserve's (Fed) last policy meeting in 2024. Signs that progress on inflation has stalled...