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 steadied as traders tracked softening market metrics and waited for reports that may give clues about an impending global surplus. West Texas Intermediate was near $60 a barrel after rising 0.6% on Monday, while Brent closed near $64. WTI's prompt spread — the difference between its two nearest contracts — has narrowed to 9 cents a barrel in backwardation. That's the lowest since February, and suggests less-tight conditions. OPEC — which has been boosting supplies — is due to release its monthly analysis on Wednesday, with the International Energy Agency issuing an...
Oil prices rose on Monday as analysts focused on potential fuel supply disruptions from new U.S. sanctions and Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian refineries, although predictions of a crude supply surplus kept prices steady. Brent crude rose 43 cents, or 0.7%, to $64.06 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude rose 38 cents, or 0.6%, to $60.13 a barrel. Oil futures led the rally, as U.S. gasoline futures closed more than 1% higher and diesel futures rose nearly 1%. A series of refinery problems in the U.S. and drone attacks on Russian refineries have helped lift fuel prices,...
Gold prices surged nearly 3% on Monday (November 10), hitting their highest level in more than two weeks, as weak U.S. economic data reinforced expectations that the Federal Reserve would cut interest rates, boosting demand for the non-yielding asset. Spot gold rose 2.8% to $4,111.39 an ounce at 2:21 PM ET (19:21 GMT) after hitting its highest level since October 24 earlier in the session. U.S. gold futures for December delivery rose 2.8% to close at $4,122.00 an ounce. "Some of the weak data last week made the market a little more dovish in their expectations for the Fed... We could still...
Gold prices surged more than 2% on Monday (November 10th), hitting a two-week high, as weak U.S. economic data reinforced expectations that the Federal Reserve would cut interest rates, boosting demand for the non-yielding asset. Spot gold rose 2% to $4,079.71 an ounce at 9:45 a.m. ET (14:45 GMT), after hitting its highest level since October 27 earlier in the session. U.S. gold futures for December delivery rose 2% to $4,090.80 an ounce. The dollar index (.DXY) weakened, making gold more affordable for foreign buyers. "Some of the weak data last week made the market a little more dovish...
Oil prices held steady as calls to end the US government shutdown boosted the broader market, with crude traders also looking ahead to a data-heavy week that will provide insight into whether a global surplus is forming. West Texas Intermediate prices held near $60 a barrel after two weekly declines, while Brent traded around $64. In the US, the Senate took a major step toward reopening the US government after the longest-ever shutdown, which helped stocks and most commodities. Meanwhile, commodity trading advisors have deepened their bearish stance over the past week, according to data...