Asian stock markets opened higher on Thursday morning (October 16th), following a positive close on Wall Street despite volatile trading. Stocks in Japan, Australia, and South Korea rose, while index futures pointed to a weaker opening in Hong Kong. In the US, the S&P 500 index rose 1.2%, then fell, and finally closed up 0.4%. Renewed tensions between the United States and China have again affected market sentiment. US President Donald Trump stated that his country is now "locked in a trade war" with China. However, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent suggested a longer pause on import...
Oil prices plummeted on Wednesday (October 15th), holding near five-month lows for a second day, pressured by escalating US-China trade tensions and the International Energy Agency's (IEA) prediction of a supply surplus by 2026. Brent crude fell 23 cents, or 0.4%, to $62.16 a barrel at 11:11 a.m. EDT (15:11 GMT). U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude fell 14 cents, or 0.2%, to $58.56. Both benchmarks were heading for their lowest close since May 7 for the second straight day. Bank of America said Brent could fall below $50 a barrel if US-China trade tensions escalate while OPEC+ production...
Gold retains bullish bias amid economic risks, dovish Fed, weaker USDUS President Donald Trump threatened on Tuesday to terminate trade with China in cooking oil and other products in response to the latter's decision not to purchase US soybeans. China also announced new special port fees for US ships arriving in Chinese ports and enhanced restrictions on the export of rare earths. This marks a significant escalation of the trade war between the world's two largest economies. Adding to this, geopolitical risks and concerns that the US government could affect the economic performance drive...
The U.S. currency slipped lower following a speech by Jerome Powell on Tuesday, in which the Federal Reserve chair left the door open to further rate cuts by saying the U.S. labor market remained in the doldrums. Markets are currently priced for a quarter-point cut at the October 28-29 Fed gathering and another at the following meeting in December, followed by three more cuts next year, according to LSEG data. "Risk sentiment improved throughout Tuesday – boosted by strong U.S. bank earnings – before Powell's speech added dovish-sounding headlines: slower payrolls, tolerable inflation, and...
Silver climbed back above $52 per ounce on Wednesday, holding close to record highs hit in the prior session as a global supply crunch fueled a historic rally. Tightness was most acute in the London market, where a short squeeze sent lease rates surging over 30% on Friday, driving rollover costs for short positions to unsustainable levels. Demand from India has further strained supply, prompting several mutual fund houses to suspend inflows into their silver ETF fund-of-fund schemes. Meanwhile, dovish remarks from Fed Chair Powell, who pointed to labor market weakness, strengthened bets on...
The Australian dollar strengthened against the US dollar on Wednesday, recouping the previous session's losses. This boost came from comments by RBA Assistant Governor Sarah Hunter: recent data appeared slightly stronger than expected, Q3 inflation is likely higher, the labor market and economic conditions could be tighter than assumed, and the board is prepared to adjust policy accordingly—although she acknowledged consumer momentum could weaken in Q3. The AUD's movement was also influenced by China's inflation release: September CPI -0.3% YoY (expected -0.1%; August -0.4%) with monthly...