Oil prices eased on Thursday, reversing gains made earlier in the Asian trading session, as market participants assessed a U.S. decision to move personnel from the Middle East ahead of talks with Iran over the latter's nuclear-related activity. Brent crude futures were down 30 cents, or 0.4%, to $69.47 a barrel at 0433 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude was 23 cents lower, or 0.3%, at $67.92 a barrel. A day earlier, both Brent and WTI surged more than 4% to their highest since early April. U.S. President Donald Trump said the U.S. was moving personnel because the Middle East...
Gold prices rose on Thursday, bolstered by rising tensions in the Middle East and a weaker dollar, while softer-than-expected U.S. inflation data boosted expectations of Federal Reserve rate cuts. Spot gold was up 0.6% at $3,373.09 an ounce, as of 0552 GMT. U.S. gold futures gained 1.5% to $3,393.80. The U.S. dollar index (.DXY), opens new tab fell to a near two-month low, making greenback-priced bullion more attractive to overseas buyers. The weakness in the dollar index serves as a strong catalyst, said Kelvin Wong, a senior market analyst, Asia Pacific at OANDA, adding that a "bullish...
Most Asian currencies rose on Thursday, led by gains in the South Korean won and the Japanese yen as the U.S. dollar weakened after President Donald Trump took a softer stance while affirming progress in U.S.-China trade negotiations. The US Dollar Index, which measures the greenback against a basket of major currencies, slid 0.3% in Asia hours, reaching its lowest level in over six weeks. The moves were also affected by expectations of Federal Reserve interest rate cuts this year after a benign consumer inflation print. US Dollar Index Futures were also trading 0.3% lower. Investors...
Silver (XAG/USD) prices extended its correction for the third trading day, dropping nearly 1.5% to near $35.50 during European trading hours on Thursday (6/12). The white metal corrected after failing to extend its more than a decade-high of $36.90 recorded on Monday. The asset faced sharp selling pressure despite the escalating tensions in the Middle East. According to officials in the United States (US) and Europe, Israel appears to be preparing to launch an attack on Iran soon, The New York Times reported. Meanwhile, Washington has announced that it will reduce the number of personnel...
The pound (GBP) fell sharply against other major currencies on Thursday (6/12) as the U.K. Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported that the economy shrank at a faster-than-expected pace in April. According to the report, U.K. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) shrank by 0.3% month-on-month in April, faster than the 0.1% expected in March. In March, the GDP growth rate was 0.2%. The country's stronger-than-expected economic downturn is expected to force Bank of England (BoE) officials to reassess their "gradual and cautious" monetary expansion guidance, which they delivered in May after...