Oil was little changed, as traders digested an initial agreement between the US and China to improve trade relations following talks in London. West Texas Intermediate held near $65 a barrel, after losing 0.5% on Tuesday, while Brent settled above $66. Washington and Beijing reached a framework deal, according to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, with implementation subject to presidential approvals. The sides agreed to implement a consensus reached in Geneva in earlier talks, a Chinese official said. Crude has dropped this year as the Trump administration's aggressive trade...
Gold edges higher in the early Asian session as traders nervously eye U.S.-China trade talks. "Hopes for a resolution between the world's two largest economies could potentially ease global trade disruptions," Pepperstone's Quasar Elizundia says in an email. "Further progress or a potential deal could be bearish for gold, which had previously benefited from geopolitical tensions," the research strategist adds. The negotiations have been "productive," U.S. Treasury Secretary Bessent said as he headed back to the U.S. for planned testimony to Congress on Wednesday. Spot gold is 0.1% higher...
The US dollar index held steady around 99 on Wednesday, trading in a narrow range this week as investors remained cautious ahead of the latest Consumer Price Index report, which could offer insight into the economic impact of recent tariffs. Markets are also closely watching developments in US–China trade talks. US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said both countries have reached a framework to implement the Geneva consensus and follow through on commitments made during a recent presidential call. He also expressed optimism that China will lift its restrictions on rare earth exports,...
The Australian dollar slipped to around $0.650 on Wednesday, ending two consecutive sessions of gains, pressured by growing expectations of further rate cuts by the Reserve Bank of Australia. Markets are now pricing in a 97% chance of a 25bps cut in July, with futures implying a total of 75bps of easing to 3.1% by the end of the year. This sentiment follows a string of soft economic data, including just 0.2% GDP growth in Q1, weak consumer spending, and falling business investment—raising concerns the RBA may have waited too long to act. Adding pressure, the US dollar firmed ahead of key US...
Oil prices edged lower from a seven-week high in Asian trading on Wednesday amid demand outlook worries, while focus remained on the outcome of crucial U.S.-China trade talks in London. As of 21:55 ET (01:55 GMT), Brent Oil Futures expiring in July fell 0.3% to $66.65 per barrel, after reaching its highest level since late April. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures also fell 0.2% to $64.86 per barrel, after jumping to its highest since early April. US-China trade talks outcome awaited U.S. and Chinese officials concluded two days of intense trade negotiations in London on...