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...
Gold is moving toward a record high, supported by two factors: expectations that the Fed will cut interest rates again this year and the escalation of US-China relations. Spot prices briefly reached a new peak of $4,179.70/oz and were last trading around $4,165/oz, after closing up 0.8% the previous session. US Treasury yields fell to their lowest level in weeks after Fed Chairman Jerome Powell signaled a quarter-point rate cut this month. Lower yields make non-coupon gold relatively more attractive. Silver also experienced a wild ride: it briefly broke a record above $53.54/oz before...
Oil prices fell on Tuesday (October 14th), closing 1.5% lower as the International Energy Agency (IEA) warned of a large oversupply by 2026, and due to ongoing trade tensions between the US and China, the world's two largest economies. Brent crude futures fell 93 cents, or 1.5%, to $62.39 a barrel. US West Texas Intermediate crude fell 1.3%, or 79 cents, to $58.70. Both contracts are at their lowest levels in five months. In the previous session, Brent closed 0.9% higher, and US WTI closed up 1%. The global oil market faces a larger surplus next year, as OPEC+ producers and their...
Gold hit a new record high above $4,100 on Tuesday (October 14), boosted by expectations of an interest rate cut this month by the US Federal Reserve and investors fleeing for safety amid escalating trade tensions between Washington and Beijing. Spot gold rose 0.9% to $4,145.85 per oz at 1:50 PM ET (17:50 GMT), after hitting a record high of $4,179.48 earlier in the session. US gold futures for December delivery rose 0.7% to close at $4,163.40. The precious metal has surged about 57% this year, breaking through $4,100 for the first time on Monday. The rally has been driven by a combination...
Oil prices plunged more than 2% on Tuesday as the International Energy Agency (IEA) warned of a significant oversupply by 2026, and due to ongoing trade tensions between the US and China, the world's two largest economies. Brent crude futures fell $1.38, or 2.2%, to $61.94 per barrel at 11:47 a.m. ET (15:47 GMT), while US West Texas Intermediate crude fell 2.1%, or $1.24, to $58.27. Both contracts are at their lowest levels in five months. In the previous session, Brent closed up 0.9%, and US WTI closed up 1%. "The renewed tensions between the US and China will also be a pressure point for...
Gold (XAU/USD) is taking a breather on Tuesday after surging to a fresh all-time high near $4,179 earlier in the day as safe haven demand remains supported amid intensifying US-China trade tensions, dovish Federal Reserve (Fed) expectations, and growing uncertainties across major economies. At the time of writing, XAU/USD is holding firm near $4,125 after a sharp intraday drop from record highs to $4,090. Traders have locked in partial gains following an overextended rally. However, the downside remains cushioned as fears of a prolonged trade standoff between the world's two largest...