Oil rose for a second day after the U.S. pledged to reduce Iran's energy exports to zero. West Texas Intermediate traded near $63 a barrel after rising nearly 2% on Wednesday, putting futures on track for their first weekly gain this month. Brent crude settled below $66. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the U.S. would apply maximum pressure to disrupt Iran's oil supply chain, as his department sanctioned a second Chinese refinery accused of handling crude from the Islamic Republic. The so-called teapot refinery sanctioned by the U.S. — Shandong Shengxing Chemical Co. Ltd. — is suspected...
Gold rises in the early Asian session, buoyed by likely safe-haven demand after Fed Chair Powell warned overnight of economic risks. "The outlook for gold remains constructive, supported by a robust mix of macroeconomic and geopolitical factors that reinforce its intrinsic value as a store of value and diversification asset in uncertain times," Pepperstone's Quasar Elizundia says in an email. If current conditions continue, gold's medium- to long-term target is projected around $3,734/oz, the research strategist adds. Spot gold is 0.3% higher at $3,350.88/oz after earlier touching a record...
The EUR/USD pair traded flat near 1.1400 during the early Asian session on Thursday (4/17). Markets remained cautious as traders wait to see if the US President Donald Trump administration reaches a new trade deal with its partners. The European Central Bank (ECB) interest rate decision will be the focus later on Thursday. Federal Reserve (Fed) Chairman Jerome Powell said on Wednesday that trade tensions risk undermining the Fed's employment and inflation goals. Powell added that US economic growth appears to be slowing, with consumer spending growing modestly, a rush of imports to avoid...
Silver (XAG/USD) traded around $32.30 per troy ounce during the Asian session on Thursday (4/17), paring some of its gains from the previous day. The precious metal came under pressure as global risk sentiment improved following US President Donald Trump's announcement of exemptions for key technology products from newly proposed "reciprocal" tariffs. The exemptions, which cover smartphones, computers, semiconductors, solar cells, and flat-panel displays, primarily benefit goods manufactured in China. However, Silver's downside remained limited as Trump simultaneously launched an...
The Australian Dollar (AUD) traded lower against the US Dollar (USD), ending a six-day winning streak. The AUD/USD pair remained pressured after the release of Australian jobs data on Thursday (4/17), which showed the Unemployment Rate rose to 4.1% in March, slightly below market estimates of 4.2%. Meanwhile, the Employment Change came in at 32.2K, compared to consensus estimates of 40K. The AUD gained support from improved global risk sentiment after US President Donald Trump announced exemptions for key technology products from newly proposed "reciprocal" tariffs. The exemptions, which...