Hong Kong stocks rallied in Wednesday morning trading, with the benchmark index rising 357 points, or 1.4%, to 25,324. This increase extended the rally into a second session and brought the market to a two-week high, with broad-based gains across most sectors. Positive sentiment came from Wall Street, which posted solid gains overnight after weaker US inflation data. The data reinforced speculation that the Federal Reserve could cut interest rates in September to support the improving labor market. In mainland China, markets also rallied to a three-year high. The main boost came from the...
Gold prices are recovering during the US session on Monday, as escalating geopolitical tensions and shifts in the Federal Reserve's (Fed) interest rate narrative have led to a resurgence in bullish momentum. The US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites over the weekend triggered a sharp response from Tehran, which condemned the attacks as a major provocation and launched retaliatory missile and drone strikes on Israel. The renewed conflict has heightened fears of a broader regional escalation. Meanwhile, Fed Governor Michelle Bowman signaled openness to a potential interest rate cut as early...
Oil erased earlier gains as fears began to fade of an immediate disruption to supplies from the Middle East, following US strikes on key Iranian nuclear sites. Global benchmark Brent initially surged as much as 5.7% to $81.40 a barrel in heavy trading, but later dropped below $77. US President Donald Trump said that air attacks over the weekend had "obliterated" a trio of targets in Iran, and threatened more military action if the country didn't make peace. In reply, Tehran warned that the strikes would trigger "everlasting consequences." The oil...
Gold eased on Monday as the dollar held firm, while market participants remained cautious, watching out for any potential Iranian retaliation to U.S. strikes on its nuclear sites. Spot gold was down 0.1% at $3,365.29 an ounc. U.S. gold futures fell 0.1% to $3,381.30. The dollar rose 0.6% against its peers, making gold more expensive for foreign buyers. Higher energy prices could potentially delay a Fed rate cut and strengthen the dollar, said Ole Hansen, head of commodity strategy at Saxo Bank. "Continued and multiple geopolitical uncertainties will likely continue to underpin and...
Silver prices are showing increasingly solid fundamentals in mid-2025, driven by a supply deficit, surging industrial demand, and investor interest in safe haven assets. This combination makes silver one of the precious metals with the most promising growth prospects this year. This year is the fifth consecutive year of a global silver supply deficit, with a projected shortfall of 117–149 million ounces. Although mining production has increased slightly, its growth has not been able to keep up with the high surge in demand. Silver is a key component in clean technology and future energy....
Brent crude futures are little changed near $77 a barrel having erased kneejerk opening gains seen after the US launched a series of weekend strikes on key Iranian nuclear sites. US equity futures have also recovered from their opening fall with S&P 500 contracts now up 0.2%. The Stoxx 600 falls 0.2% but again is off its worst levels. Construction, technology and energy stocks outperform in Europe. Chemicals and industrials lag. The Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index extends its climb to 0.5%. The Japanese yen and kiwi dollar are the weakest of the G-10 currencies,...