US equities ended Monday mixed as investors prepared for the release of the all-important US consumer inflation report. The Nasdaq and the S&P 500 ended the day slightly lower. Meanwhile, the Dow rose slightly. Monday was a relatively quiet day for equities as investors mostly stayed on the sidelines awaiting the inflation report. However, the Read More…
Currency futures rose on Friday as the dollar fell after data showed inflation rose less than reported in December. However, this revision failed to change the outlook for rate cuts in the US. Additionally, it became clear that inflation rose more than previously reported in October and November. Meanwhile, the dollar closed the week with Read More…
Interest futures collapsed on Thursday while Treasury yields rose as data from the US and policymakers continued to point at delayed Fed rate cuts. Labor market data from the US showed strength in the sector despite high interest rates. This gives the Fed room to keep interest rates high and lower inflation. At the same Read More…
Oil prices rose on Wednesday due to rising tensions in the Middle East that could lead to tighter supply. At the same time, a surprise drop in gasoline stocks indicated an increase in demand. Aggregate open interest in crude (Source: ICE, CME) Investors are buying more oil futures, expecting tighter supply and higher prices. Israel Read More…
Gold prices rose on Tuesday, pausing a decline that started on Friday after the US jobs report. The recovery came as the dollar and Treasury yields pulled back from recent highs. However, this decline might be short-lived if fundamentals continue pointing to delayed rate cuts in the US. Fed rate cut expectations (Source: Bloomberg) Notably, Read More…
US equities closed Monday in the red as Powell maintained his hawkish stance, dampening rate cut expectations. In a speech on Sunday, the Fed chair said that inflation in the US needs to show a consistent downtrend for rate cuts to start. According to the central bank, inflation remains high. Therefore, the economy still needs Read More…
Friday was a down day for currency futures as the dollar rallied to a seven-week high after upbeat employment data. Investors were surprised after the US non-farm payroll figures were much higher than expected. As a result, there is an even lower chance that the Fed will start cutting rates in March. US jobs (Source: Read More…
Interest futures rose on Thursday as Treasury yields declined due to concerns about the US banking sector. The US Treasury Bond (ZB) futures and the 10-year T-Note (ZN) futures ended Thursday on a bullish note. Meanwhile, investors continued to absorb Powell’s remarks on Wednesday, which confirmed that rate cuts would come later than March. Concerns Read More…
Oil fell on Wednesday due to poor economic activity data from China and a higher-than-expected increase in US crude oil inventories. According to data released on Wednesday, manufacturing activity in China dropped for the fourth month in January. China is a leading oil importer. Therefore, a decline in economic activity in the country means a Read More…
Gold rose on Tuesday, reaching a two-week high as the dollar and Treasury yields declined. Investors were focused on the looming Fed decision on Wednesday, where they expect the central bank to keep rates unchanged. The big question for gold traders is when the Fed will start cutting rates. When interest rates in the US Read More…
