The Australian dollar climbed above $0.653 on Wednesday, marking its fourth straight session of gains, supported by a weaker US dollar and a hawkish outlook on Reserve Bank of Australia policy. The greenback ran into some profit-taking in recent sessions following a strong rally, while investors awaited news on US President-elect Donald Trump's pick for Treasury Secretary. On the domestic front, minutes from the RBA's November policy meeting indicated that the central bank intends to maintain a restrictive monetary policy until it is confident that inflation is sustainably moving toward its...
Oil was steady as an industry report signaled a build in US crude inventories ahead of government figures. Brent traded near $73 a barrel after closing slightly higher on Tuesday, and West Texas Intermediate was above $69. The American Petroleum Institute reported crude stockpiles expanded by 4.8 million barrels last week while fuel supplies fell, according to a document seen by Bloomberg. The Energy Information Administration is scheduled to release its data on inventories, refining and fuel demand later on Wednesday. Oil has swung between gains and losses since...
Gold futures fell after hitting their highest level in more than a week. Futures were down 0.2% at $2,625 an ounce. Trading in the precious metal was cautious given rising U.S. bond yields and a stronger dollar, which could weigh on prices in the coming weeks, said Rania Gule of XS.com. Despite the decline, gold continues to retain its appeal as a safe haven, Gule said in a note. Rising geopolitical tensions between Russia and Ukraine remain a key factor supporting gold prices, reflecting persistent fears of escalation, Gule wrote. Still, the market is in a state of anticipation, as a...
The U.S. dollar slipped to a one-week low versus major peers on Wednesday, looking to extend a three-day decline from a one-week peak as the market catches its breath following the frantic rally in the wake of Donald Trump's election. The previous day's boost to the dollar and other traditional safe-haven currencies like the yen proved short-lived, after Russia's foreign minister said the country will "do everything possible" to avoid the onset of nuclear war, hours after Moscow announced it would lower its threshold for a nuclear strike. Bitcoin crept up towards the fresh all-time peak...
Silver prices eased to around $31 per ounce on Wednesday as concerns over the escalating Russia-Ukraine conflict began to subside. On Tuesday, silver briefly rose above $31.50 after Russia lowered its threshold for a potential nuclear strike. However, market fears eased after Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated that the country would "do everything possible" to avoid nuclear war, and the US indicated it saw no reason to adjust its nuclear policy. Investors are now focused on upcoming remarks from US Federal Reserve officials, which could influence the dollar and, in turn,...