US stocks closed higher on Friday, with the S&P 500 up 0.8%, and the Nasdaq climbing nearly 1%, while the Dow gaining 206 points. Technology shares, led by Apple which surged 4.2% following its announcement of a $600 billion US investment plan helped lift the tech-heavy Nasdaq to new intraday highs. Investor optimism was also fueled by expectations of Federal Reserve rate cuts, with President Trump nominating Stephen Miran to the Fed Board, signaling possible shifts in monetary policy, despite concerns over new tariffs imposed by the Trump administration on imports from multiple...
Silver (XAG/USD) prices moved lower to around $36.20 during Asian trading hours on Monday (6/16). The recovery in the greenback weighed on the USD-denominated commodity. However, the downside potential seems limited amid rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Upbeat US economic data released on Friday could provide some support to the US Dollar (USD). The University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index improved for the first time in six months, with the index rising to 60.5 in June from 52.2 in the previous reading. This reading was above the market estimate of 53.5. On the other...
The Japanese Yen (JPY) weakened for the second straight day on Monday (6/16), pushing the USD/JPY pair to the 144.75 area during the Asian session, albeit without any follow-through. Expectations that the Bank of Japan (BoJ) may not raise interest rates again this year, along with a generally positive tone around equity markets, undermined the safe-haven JPY. However, investors seemed confident that the central bank will stick to its path towards policy normalization amid broadening inflation. This, along with rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, should help limit any deeper...
The GBP/USD pair remained below three-year highs touched on Friday, albeit lacked bearish conviction and oscillated in a narrow range around mid-1.3500s through the Asian session. Traders seemed reluctant and chose to wait for this week's key data/central bank event risk before positioning for the next leg of a directional move in the spot prices. The latest UK consumer inflation figures will be released on Wednesday ahead of the Bank of England (BoE) policy meeting on Thursday, which will play a key role in influencing the British Pound (GBP). Further, the US Federal Reserve (Fed) is...
The Australian dollar (AUD) extended its losses against the US dollar (USD) on Monday (6/16). The AUD/USD pair remained subdued for the second straight session amid rising tensions in the Middle East. The AUD held losses after the release of key Chinese economic data, given that Australia and China are close trading partners. China Retail Sales rose 6.4% year-on-year in May, beating estimates of 5.0% and a 5.1% increase in April. Meanwhile, Industrial Production increased 5.8% YoY but below estimates of 5.9% and 6.1% previously. Israel and Iran continue to exchange attacks despite...
The dollar rose against major currencies on Monday, boosted by safe-haven buying from investors worried that the Israel-Iran fighting could escalate into a wider regional conflict as they prepared for a week packed with central bank meetings. With Iran and Israel showing no sign of backing down from their attacks, the prospect that Tehran might try to close the Strait of Hormuz - the world's most important gateway for oil shipments - raises the broader economic risk of disruption in the energy-rich Middle East. Scheduled weekend talks between Iran and the United States over Tehran's...