Oil prices gained more than 1% on Wednesday after reports of Israel preparing a strike on Iranian nuclear facilities raised fears that a conflict could upset supply availability in the key Middle East producing region. Brent futures for July rose 68 cents, or 1.04%, to $66.06 a barrel, by 0630 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures for July climbed 70 cents, or 1.1%, to $62.73. New intelligence obtained by the United States suggests that Israel is preparing to strike Iranian nuclear facilities, CNN reported on Tuesday, citing multiple U.S. officials familiar with the matter. It...
The U.S. dollar fell further Wednesday, continuing to head lower on uncertainty over President Donald Trump's tax bill, while sterling jumped after a hot inflation report. At 04:30 ET (08:30 GMT), the Dollar Index, which tracks the greenback against a basket of six other currencies, fell 0.4% to 99.595, extending a 1.3% two-day decline. U.S. tax bill, G7 meeting in focus President Donald Trump's tax cut and spending bill has apparently run into opposition from several dissenting lawmakers, and faces a critical stress test on Wednesday as Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives...
The dollar fell for a third day against a range of currencies on Wednesday, after U.S. President Donald Trump failed to convince Republican holdouts to back his sweeping tax bill. Traders were also wary of U.S. officials potentially angling for a weaker dollar at Group of Seven finance minister meetings under way in Canada. Developments in Trump's global tariff war, which have swung currencies wildly in recent months, have slowed considerably this week, even as the clock ticks to the end of a 90-day tariff respite for U.S. trade partners in the absence of new deals. While markets remain...
Gold (XAU/USD) edges higher on Wednesday towards $3,311 at the time of writing, with concerns that tensions in the Middle East might spiral out of control again and Trump's fiscal bill not passing Congress. In late trading on Tuesday, CNN reported that Israel is considering targeting nuclear sites in Iran. While former United States (US) President Joe Biden was able to change Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's mind, US President Donald Trump has seen his diplomatic efforts fall apart, with markets mulling whether Trump is still able to control Netanyahu. In the US, President...
Silver prices rose past $33.1 per ounce on Wednesday, testing the highest level in three weeks amid a pullback for the dollar and evidence of ample industrial buying. The greenback came under pressure despite the fresh increase for long-dated Treasury yields, reflecting lingering doubts on the exceptionalism of US assets and aligning with the recent influx into precious metals for safety. Demand for safety was also underpinned by reports that Israel is considering striking Iran, extending geopolitical tensions in the region. In the meantime, higher investments in solar panels, the main...