Global gold prices weakened again in tonight's trading after rising in the previous session. The main pressure came from the strengthening US dollar and rising US government bond yields, reducing gold's attractiveness as a non-yielding asset. As the dollar strengthens, the cost of holding gold for investors transacting in other currencies becomes more expensive, prompting some market participants to sell and take profits after the rally in recent weeks. At the same time, market participants were still closely monitoring the US employment data, released after a recent delay. The report...
Oil pushed lower after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy agreed to work on a peace plan, just as US sanctions on two Russian oil giants are scheduled to take effect on Friday. West Texas Intermediate dropped for a third session toward $58 a barrel, while Brent closed near $63 on Thursday. The plan was drafted by the US and Russia and Zelenskiy expects to talk with President Donald Trump in the coming days. Proposals include Ukraine ceding territory and the removal of sanctions. European diplomats expressed skepticism about any deal, noting that Russian President...
Gold was steady after a mixed US jobs report that offered little fresh incentive for the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates. Bullion was trading around $4,080 an ounce, after dropping marginally in the previous session. The last labor report that the Fed will see before its Dec. 9-10 meeting showed that US job growth beat expectations in September but unemployment marched higher. Many Fed officials are leaning toward keeping interest rates steady, while swap traders see a less-than-50% chance of a reduction next month. Bullion typically underperforms in a higher rate...
The Japanese yen held steady near 157 per dollar on Friday (November 21st), after previously weakening steadily. The currency began to "put on the brakes" after Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama signaled that the government could intervene if the yen's movements were deemed too wild and speculative. Now, many market participants expect Japanese authorities to step in again if the yen approaches 160 per dollar, in line with previous intervention areas. Despite the temporary halt in its weakening, the yen is still expected to fall nearly 2% in the week and is near a 10-month low. Pressure...
Oil prices fell more than 1% on Friday (November 21), extending their decline for a third session as the United States pushes for a Russia-Ukraine peace deal that could boost global supply, while interest rate uncertainty curbs investor risk appetite. Brent crude futures fell 83 cents, or 1.3%, to $62.55 a barrel at 08:45 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude fell 1.6%, or 92 cents, to $58.08. Both contracts are expected to decline by about 3% for the week, erasing last week's gains. Market sentiment turned bearish as Washington pushed for a peace plan between Ukraine and Russia to end...