A gauge of the dollar consolidated amid thin liquidity on the last trading day of the year. The New Zealand dollar and Swiss Franc rose while other currencies traded in tight ranges. The Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index was little changed; the index has lost 2.8% this year, on track for its worst annual loss since 2020…
Gold advances in Asian trade after data showing the U.S. labor market continues to cool. U.S. weekly jobless claims rose more than expected in the week ended Dec. 23. With the U.S. labor market cooling and inflation gradually coming under control, markets see rate cuts from the Fed earlier than previously expected and by a…
Oil prices are set to end 2023 about 10% lower, the first annual decline in two years, after geopolitical concerns, production cuts and global measures to rein in inflation triggered wild fluctuations in prices. Brent crude futures were up 48 cents, or 0.6%, at $77.63 a barrel at 0523 GMT on Friday, the last trading…
Oil held its largest gain in more than a week on rising tensions in the Middle East, with a fresh attack on shipping in the Red Sea prompting vessels to avoid the key shipping route. West Texas Intermediate traded above $75 a barrel after rising by 2.7% on Tuesday, with global benchmark Brent near $81. The…
Asia-Pacific stocks bounced Wednesday, with Australia stocks hitting a near two-year high, as more markets return from a Christmas break. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 index gained 0.8% to hit its highest level since late April 2022, as trading resumed for the week. The index is eying yearly gains of over 7%. Aussie stocks have been buoyed…
Gold was steady after an auction of Treasury notes on Tuesday, with markets bracing for an aggressive path of Federal Reserve interest-rate cuts in 2024. Buyers piled in to sales of US bonds on Tuesday, with the auction for two-year debt priced below its when-issued yield — a sign of greater-than-expected demand. Investors are grabbing prevailing yields before…
