The British pound (GBP) traded higher against other major currencies, except for the Antipodean currencies, on Wednesday. The British currency showed strength as market sentiment remained optimistic amid strong expectations that the Federal Reserve (Fed) will cut interest rates next week. On the domestic data front, investors are awaiting UK Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and factory data for July, scheduled for Friday. Monthly GDP growth in the UK economy is expected to stagnate after rising by 0.4% in June. Monthly Manufacturing and Industrial Production data are also expected to remain...
The US dollar held steady on Wednesday (September 10th) ahead of US inflation data this week that could help shape the Federal Reserve's policy outlook, while tense geopolitical conditions supported currencies like the Swiss franc. Last week's employment data showed that the US economy created far fewer jobs than expected last year, making a Fed interest rate cut next week seem a certainty. However, this did not shake confidence in equity markets, where stocks are trading at record highs, nor did it have a direct impact on the dollar itself, although investors are considering the...
Oil prices rose on Wednesday (September 10th) after Israel attacked Hamas leaders in Qatar, Poland shot down a drone, and the US pushed for new sanctions on Russian oil buyers, but concerns over crude oversupply limited further gains. Brent crude rose 56 cents, or 0.8%, to $66.95 a barrel, as of 08:35 GMT, and U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude rose 56 cents, or 0.9%, to $63.19 a barrel. Prices had closed up 0.6% in the previous trading session after Israel said it had attacked Hamas leaders in Doha. Both benchmarks rose nearly 2% shortly after the strikes, but then recovered...
Gold prices hovered near an all-time high on Wednesday, buoyed by expectations of a U.S. interest rate cut this month, while market participants awaited U.S. inflation data for clues on the Federal Reserve's monetary policy path. Spot gold was up 0.5% at $3,643.78 per ounce, as of 0821 GMT, after hitting a record high of $3,673.95 on Tuesday. U.S. gold futures for December delivery were flat at $3,682.30. "Gold's gains come on the back of expectations of Fed rate cuts, supported by signs of cooling in the U.S. labour market, which have weakened the dollar," Ricardo Evangelista, senior...
Oil prices rose for a third straight session as investors weighed President Donald Trump's latest tariff threats against buyers of Russian crude, the impact of the Israeli strikes on Doha, and the prospect of a US interest rate cut. Brent traded around $67 per barrel, extending this week's gains to more than 2%. US producer prices fell unexpectedly, strengthening the case for the Federal Reserve to cut borrowing costs, potentially helping support energy demand. Trump told European Union officials he was willing to impose new tariffs on India and China, major importers of Russian crude, in...