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…
Currency futures strengthened on Friday as the dollar paused its recent rally, ending the week lower. The dollar has been climbing for two months as markets scale back expectations of Fed rate cuts. Initially, investors had expected the first rate cut to occur in March this year. However, US economic data has consistently come in Read More…
Interest futures fell on Thursday as more positive US economic data pushed back expectations for Fed rate cuts. However, investors became risk averse as geopolitical tensions escalated, putting a floor on further declines. US jobless claims (Source: Labor Department) Data released on Thursday revealed an unexpected decline in US initial jobless claims last week, showing Read More…
Gold prices rose on Wednesday as Middle East tensions had investors looking for safety in the safe haven of yellow metal. Moreover, a decline in the dollar made gold cheaper for foreign buyers, increasing its demand. Notably, the Israel-Hamas war has escalated since last week with more strikes on vessels in the Red Sea. Additionally, Read More…
Equities closed lower on Tuesday as investors continued to absorb the shock of higher-than-expected US inflation. US markets stayed closed on Monday due to a holiday. Meanwhile, last week, the rally in equities reversed when the US reported upbeat consumer and wholesale inflation figures. As a result, investors lost hope of early Fed rate cuts Read More…
Oil prices rose slightly on Monday due to supply concerns as jitters in the Middle East escalated. However, trading volume was thin as US markets were closed for the President’s Day holiday. Moreover, markets were closed earlier than usual. WTI and Brent futures (Source: ICE, Nymex) Oil has risen as supply concerns due to Middle Read More…
Currency futures rose on Friday, despite a higher-than-expected reading in the US PPI report. Meanwhile, the dollar closed lower on Friday after rallying during the week as traders pushed back expectations for rate cuts. US wholesale prices (Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics) The Producer Price Index was the second report of the week, showing much Read More…
After a surprise decline in retail sales renewed rate-cut bets, interest futures rose on Thursday. On the other hand, the report sent Treasury yields lower. The decrease in retail sales indicated a slowing economy, reducing some of the impact of the upbeat inflation report on Tuesday. Meanwhile, investors also assessed labor market data. US retail Read More…
Oil prices fell on Wednesday due to a surge in crude inventories. When fuel stocks in the US increase, it is a sign that demand has dropped. WTI futures (Source: Bloomberg, EIA) Moreover, a drop in refining in the US led to a bigger-than-expected build in inventories. US refining slowed significantly during the cold weather. Read More…
Gold prices plunged on Tuesday as the dollar and Treasury yields rose after an upbeat inflation report. After a long wait, investors finally saw the state of inflation in the US. According to the report, inflation remains persistent and higher than expected. Consequently, there was a decline in Fed rate cut bets. The outlook for Read More…
