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...
The dollar extended its gains for a third day on Wednesday, its longest winning streak since September 19. Most G-10 currencies weakened on the day, with the Canadian dollar outperforming the rest. The Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index rose less than 0.1%, up nearly 0.8% in three days. USD/JPY jumped 0.4% to 152.56, rising for the fifth straight day and posting its longest winning streak since December. EUR/USD fell for a third day to 1.1634, its lowest level in a month. GBP/USD fell for a second day to 1.3409. USD/CAD retreated to 1.3945, falling for the third time in four days. US data on...
Oil prices rose more than 1% on Wednesday (October 8th), boosted by a smaller-than-expected production increase from the OPEC+ producer group next month, although concerns about oversupply limited further gains. Brent crude futures rose 82 cents, or 1.3%, to $66.27 a barrel at 09:45 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude rose 85 cents, or 1.4%, to $62.58. Benchmark crude prices were relatively stagnant in the previous session as investors weighed signs of oversupply against a smaller-than-expected November production increase from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries...
Gold surged above $4,000 an ounce for the first time on Wednesday (October 8th) as investors flocked to the safe haven asset's historic rally to protect themselves from global economic and geopolitical uncertainty, while also betting on a US interest rate cut. Spot gold rose 1.3% to $4,034.59 an ounce at 09:31 GMT. US gold futures for December delivery rose 1.3% to $4,056.80. Silver also followed gold's rally, rising 2.2% to $48.85 an ounce, just above its all-time high of $49.51. The rally was driven by a combination of factors, including expectations of interest rate cuts, continued...
Silver prices (XAG/USD) rose to around $48.65 in early European trading on Wednesday (October 8th). The metal strengthened slightly, approaching a 14-year high amid growing expectations of a Fed rate cut and the ongoing US government shutdown. The US government shutdown entered its eighth day on Wednesday. The increased level of uncertainty could drive safe-haven inflows, supporting silver prices. US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that his administration plans to lay off federal employees if the shutdown continues beyond Monday, adding that he would provide details on the layoffs in...
Wednesday, October 8, 2025 - The Australian dollar weakened to around US$0.656, extending its decline as the US dollar continued to strengthen. Safe-haven demand for the greenback increased as the US government shutdown entered its second week, while President Trump's threat of mass layoffs further diminished hopes for a resolution. Global risk sentiment also declined, pressuring high-beta currencies like the Aussie. On the policy front, markets reduced expectations for near-term RBA easing after last week's hawkish tone. Futures prices now price in a 35% chance of a 25 bps cut in November...