Asian markets are expected to open mixed. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 is expected to start the day slightly lower, with futures tied to the benchmark at 8,838, compared to the index's last close of 8,873.8. Japan's Nikkei 225 is expected to open higher, with futures in Chicago at 42,795, while those in Osaka last traded at 42,770, compared to the index's last close of 42,649.26. Futures for Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index were at 25,316, indicating a weaker open compared to the HSI's last close of 25,519.32. (alg) Source: CNBC
Markets stay relatively quiet early Friday and the US Dollar (USD) Index retreats after posting gains for two consecutive days. May Producer Price Index (PPI) for the Eurozone will be the only data featured in the European economic calendar. Financial markets in the US will remain closed in observance of the July 4 holiday, paving the way for subdued action heading into the weekend. The data published by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics showed on Thursday that Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP) in the US rose by 147,000 in June. This reading came in better than the market expectation for an increase...
Gold edged up to around $3,330 per ounce on Friday, heading for a weekly advance as concerns over the US fiscal deficit and lingering tariff uncertainty boosted the metal's safe-haven appeal. On Thursday, the House approved President Donald Trump's massive package of tax and spending cuts, which is expected to add more than $3 trillion to the country's deficit over the next decade. Meanwhile, Trump said he would begin sending letters to countries on Friday specifying what tariff rates they will face on imports to the US—a clear shift from earlier pledges to negotiate individual...
Gold edges higher in the early Asian session amid U.S. fiscal-deficit concerns that typically enhance the safe-haven appeal of the precious metal. The House of Representatives narrowly passed President Trump's "big, beautiful" tax and spending megabill on Thursday. "After factoring in the additional revenues from new tariffs, it appears that the budget deficit will remain close to 6% of GDP for the next few years," Capital Economics' Paul Ashworth says in a commentary. "The Federal debt is undoubtedly on an unsustainable path," the chief North America economist adds. Spot gold is 0.2%...
The euro weakened against the US dollar on Thursday following the release of June employment figures in the United States (US), which showed why the Federal Reserve (Fed) is not ready to ease borrowing costs. At the time of writing, EUR/USD was trading at 1.1744, down 0.45%. The Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP) report took center stage on Thursday, as it dropped in the shortened week for the US Independence Day. The data dashed investor expectations for a rate cut, beating estimates and May's figures. Additional metrics showed that the Unemployment Rate fell and Average Hourly Earnings held...
Oil prices fell slightly on Thursday as investors worried that U.S. tariffs could slow energy demand ahead of expected supply increases by major crude producers. Brent crude futures settled 31 cents, or 0.45%, lower at $68.80 a barrel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude fell 45 cents, or 0.67%, to $67 in thin trading ahead of the Independence Day holiday. President Donald Trump's 90-day pause on higher U.S. tariffs expired on July 9, and several major trading partners have yet to reach a trade deal, including the European Union and Japan. Oil traders are concerned about the impact on the...