Currency futures soared on Friday as the dollar plunged after Powell said the Fed was ready to adjust policy. Powell’s speech conveyed that the Fed was ready to start lowering borrowing costs to ensure a steady labor market. However, by Monday, most currencies eased slightly as investors took profits. After a whole week of anticipation, Read More…
Fundamental Analysis
Interest Futures Take a Breather as Rate Cut Bets Shift From 50 bps to 25 bps
Interest futures fell on Thursday as Treasury yields soared with a drop in expectations for a 50 bps Fed rate cut. However, the move reversed before Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s speech on Friday. At the same time, there is still optimism about a 25 bps September Fed rate cut. Treasury yields had a bullish day Read More…
Oil Prices Slump After US Payroll Data Revision by -818k Jobs
Oil prices fell sharply on Wednesday after the US government revised the US payrolls data to show a weaker labor market. This revision overshadowed positive sentiment from a decline in crude oil inventories and dovish FOMC policy minutes. Brent Futures (Source: ICE Futures Europe) The US economy added fewer jobs than reported between April last Read More…
Gold Eases from All-Time Highs as Markets Digest Fed Rate Cut
Gold prices pulled back on Wednesday after reaching new highs in the previous session due to Fed rate cut optimism. Investors are preparing to peruse the FOMC meeting minutes and a Fed Chair Jerome Powell speech. Gold traders are optimistic that the Fed will start lowering borrowing costs in September. Last week, retail sales data Read More…
Equities Surge as Investors Price in Fed’s Rate Cut in Sep
Equities rose on Monday, adding to last week’s gains as markets priced in a Fed rate cut at the September meeting. At the same time, risk appetite improved since data last week eased fears of a looming US recession. S&P 500 weekly performance (Source: Bloomberg) Equities closed the best week of the year on Friday, Read More…
Currency Futures Climb as Dollar Pulls Back Amid Profit-Taking
Currency futures rose on Friday and Monday as the dollar retreated amid profit-taking. At the same time, the US currency fell at the end of the week as markets raised the chances of a 25 bps September Fed cut. On Thursday, the greenback had soared after sales data showed a robust economy. Last week, the Read More…