The US dollar index rose to around 99.7 on Wednesday, extending gains from the previous session as improving US consumer confidence bolstered sentiment toward the greenback. Market optimism was further supported by President Trump's decision to delay a planned 50% tariff on the EU, easing concerns over escalating trade tensions and improving the outlook for US assets. Meanwhile, European leaders have reportedly asked top companies and CEOs to outline their US investment plans ahead of upcoming trade negotiations with Washington. On the monetary policy front, Minneapolis Fed President Neel...
The Japanese yen weakened past 144.5 per dollar on Wednesday, marking its third straight session of losses as investors digested recent comments from top policymakers and developments in the bond market. BOJ Governor Kazuo Ueda noted that ongoing trade negotiations with the US are contributing to a highly uncertain outlook. He previously reiterated the central bank's willingness to adjust monetary policy as needed to ensure inflation targets are achieved. Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato added that authorities are closely monitoring conditions in the bond market. On Tuesday, both the yen...
Oil prices inched up on Wednesday as investors considered supply risks after the U.S. barred Chevron (NYSE:CVX) from exporting crude from Venezuela under a new asset authorisation, though expectations of more output from OPEC+ continued to limit gains. Brent crude futures rose 25 cents, or 0.4%, to $64.34 a barrel by 0345 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude gained 24 cents, or 0.4%, at $61.13 a barrel. The Trump administration has issued a new authorisation for U.S.-major Chevron that would allow it to keep assets in Venezuela but not to export oil or expand its activities,...
Silver price (XAG/USD) recovers its recent losses registered in the previous session, trading around $33.30 per troy ounce during the Asian hours on Wednesday. However, the precious metals, including Silver, faced selling pressure amid a strengthening US Dollar (USD). The dollar-denominated Silver lost its shine as a higher US Dollar makes it expensive for foreign buyers. The Greenback received support after Japan hinted at potential cuts in government debt issuance, boosting global bond markets and putting downward pressure on US yields. At the time of writing, the 10- and 30-year yields...
Gold price (XAU/USD) struggles to capitalize on a modest Asian session uptick and currently trades just below the $3,300 mark, close to the weekly low touched the previous day. Better-than-expected US economic data released on Tuesday calmed recession fears and assisted the US Dollar (USD) in attracting buyers for the second straight day, which, in turn, is seen undermining the commodity. Apart from this, a generally positive risk tone turns out to be another factor acting as a headwind for the safe-haven precious metal. However, the uncertainty surrounding US President Donald Trump's...