The US Dollar Index (DXY), which measures the US Dollar (USD) against a basket of six major currencies, retraced its recent gains and traded around 98.70 during Asian hours on Wednesday (6/18). Markets expect the US Federal Reserve (Fed) to keep interest rates unchanged at its June meeting scheduled for Wednesday. Traders now see a near 80% chance of a Fed rate cut in September, followed by another cut in October, according to Reuters. Traders are likely to closely monitor the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) statement on monetary policy, looking for direction going forward amid...
Silver (XAG/USD) is seen consolidating the previous day's strong gains to the highest level since February 2012 and oscillated in a narrow range during the Asian session on Wednesday (6/18). The white metal is currently trading just above the $37.00 round-figure mark and seems poised to extend its recent uptrend from April monthly swing lows. From a technical perspective, the overnight breakout through a short-term descending trend-channel, which constitutes the formation of a bullish flag pattern, and the subsequent up-move validates the constructive outlook. However, a slightly overbought...
Gold prices were flat in Asian trade on Wednesday as investors refrained from placing big bets ahead of the U.S. Federal Reserve's policy decision, while also monitoring developments surrounding the Israel-Iran conflict. Spot gold was flat at $3,388.04 an ounce, as of 0341 GMT. U.S. gold futures were largely unchanged at $3,406.50. "Gold prices fluctuated as investors tracked escalating risks in the Middle East. Lackluster U.S. reports on retail sales, housing and industrial production strengthened the case for the Fed to cut interest rates later this year," analysts at ANZ said in a...
Oil prices rose in Asian trade on Wednesday, extending a 4% gain from the previous session amid concerns that the Iran-Israel conflict could disrupt supplies. Brent crude rose 26 cents, or 0.3%, to $76.71 a barrel by 0440 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude rose 35 cents, or 0.5%, to $75.19 a barrel. U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday called for Iran's "unconditional surrender" as the Iran-Israel air war entered its sixth day. The U.S. military is deploying more warplanes to the region to bolster its forces, three officials said on Tuesday. Analysts said the market is mostly...
Gold prices are likely to be supported by central bank purchases, Julius Baer's Carsten Menke says in a research note. Central banks have doubled their average annual purchases to 1,000 tons from 500 tons since the start of the Ukraine war, Menke says. He adds that the main motivations are gold's status as a crisis asset, a portfolio diversifier and a store of value. "While de-dollarization is not a motivation, most central banks still believe that the share of U.S. dollars in their reserves is set to shrink," he says. Spot gold is down 0.15% at $3,384.54/oz. Source : Dow Jones...