Currency futures reached new heights on Friday as the dollar weakened after a mixed jobs report. Notably, the US employment report revealed some weakness in the labor market, supporting the view that rate cuts will come later in the year. As a result, most currency futures rose to new highs before pulling back as Friday’s Read More…
Interest futures rallied on Thursday after Powell confirmed that the Fed will likely cut interest rates later in the year. Consequently, short-term Treasury yields declined, reflecting an increase in rate-cut bets. At the same time, investors positioned themselves ahead of the crucial nonfarm payrolls report that could further influence the Fed’s policy outlook. On Wednesday Read More…
Oil prices rose on Wednesday after Powell confirmed expectations of rate cuts this year in the US. Additionally, support for oil came from supply and demand worries. While supply continues to tighten, there are demand worries as China’s economy struggles. During his testimony to Congress, Fed Chair Powell confirmed that there will be rate cuts Read More…
Gold prices soared to record highs on Tuesday due to increasing rate-cut expectations. Additionally, the yellow metal got support from a weaker dollar, ongoing geopolitical tensions, and demand from central bank purchases. US services growth (Source: Institute for Supply Management) Rate cut expectations rose on Tuesday after data from the US revealed a decline in Read More…
Equities fluctuated on Monday but closed slightly down as investors waited on the sidelines for more high-impact economic releases from the US. Additionally, they awaited more policy clues from Fed Chair Jerome Powell in his testimony before Congress on Wednesday. Notably, the S&P 500 reached temporary highs during the session, propelled by rallies in stocks Read More…
Currency futures rose on Friday as the dollar fell after weaker-than-expected data on US manufacturing. However, unlike other currencies, the yen fell due to dovish remarks from BoJ Governor Kazuo Ueda. US manufacturing activity (Source: ISM) Data on Friday revealed a contraction in US manufacturing in February. Additionally, factory employment fell to a 7-month low. Read More…
Interest futures rose on Thursday after US inflation came in line with expectations, leading to a decline in Treasury yields. Unlike the consumer and producer inflation figures, the personal consumption expenditure was not surprising. As a result, investors are more convinced that the Fed will start cutting rates in June. Additionally, there was evidence of Read More…
Oil prices closed lower on Wednesday after hawkish Fed remarks reduced rate hike bets. At the same time, there was an increase in US crude inventories last week that put downward pressure on prices. On Wednesday, Fed Bank of New York President John Williams stated that the fight against inflation was unsuccessful. Therefore, he was Read More…
Gold prices increased slightly on Tuesday as the dollar weakened, making gold more attractive to foreign buyers. At the same time, investors were awaiting more inflation data from the US and speeches from Fed policymakers. These will give guidance on the outlook for rate cuts in the US. The dollar weakened after poor data from Read More…
Equities closed slightly lower on Monday as markets awaited more economic data from the US for insights on the Fed’s policy outlook. At the same time, there was a bit of caution, as US government agencies could be shut down by Friday. Recently, Nvidia gave a strong forecast that led to a rally in equity Read More…
