Gold prices rose on Friday, reaching their highest closing level in nearly three months, amid increased demand for safe-haven assets following the release of a relatively disappointing jobs report in the United States. In addition, the U.S. Dollar’s (USD) decline provided more support to the yellow metal. Gold futures for …
Read More »Goldman Sachs is Trading Bitcoin Derivatives
Goldman Sachs is reportedly creating a new cryptocurrency trading desk, according to an internal memo first cited by CNBC. The desk has successfully traded two Bitcoin-linked derivatives, as per the cited memo, which was distributed on Thursday to the bank’s markets staff. The idea has been considered since 2017, when …
Read More »European Stocks Close Friday at New Record High
European stocks finished higher on Friday, supported by an improved investors’ sentiment due to positive economic data and earnings reports. The STOXX Europe 600 index rose by 0.9%, closing the week at a new record high of 444.93 points, as the tech sector gained 2.1%. For the week, the pan-European …
Read More »U.S. Rig Count Reaches Highest Level in a Year
The number of active rigs drilling for crude oil and natural gas in the United States increase for the second consecutive week, according to data by Baker Hughes released on Friday. The total rig count rose by eight to 448 during the week ended May 7, reaching its highest level …
Read More »Canada’s Ivey PMI Slows in April
Economic activity in Canada continued to expand during April but a slower pace compared with its highest level in 10 years, which was recorded in March, data showed on Friday. The seasonally adjusted Ivey Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) retreated to a 60.6 in April from a reading of 72.9 in …
Read More »U.S. Wholesale Inventories Edge Higher in March
Wholesale inventories in the United States increased less than expected in March, due to a huge surge in sales that resulted from stronger local demand, according to official data released on Friday. A final reading showing that wholsale inventories rose by 1.3%, compared with an initially estimated 1.4% for March, …
Read More »Canada’s Unemployment Rate Rises in April
Canada’s economy lost 207,000 jobs last month due to the resurgence of the Coronavirus pandemic, which led to renewed restrictions and lockdown measures, official data showed on Friday. Accordingly, the Canadian unemployment rate increased in April to 8.1% from 7.5% in March, according to Statistics Canada. Data showed that the …
Read More »U.S. New Jobs Report Comes Below Expectations in April
The United States economy added fewer jobs than expected during April, official government data showed on Friday. The U.S. Department of Labor monthly report showed that nonfarm payrolls increased by 266,000 jobs last month. This follows a 770,000 increase in March and compared with market expectations of 978,000 new jobs. …
Read More »BofA: Stocks Attracted $18.5B This Week
Bank Of America’s analysis of weekly fund flow statistics showed that investors bought a lot of global stocks in the week ending Wednesday, as companies reported huge profits and major central banks downplayed concerns related to a return to monetary stimulus. Equity funds attracted $18.5 billion, which was mainly driven …
Read More »The Dollar Near Weekly Low Ahead of The US Jobs Data
The dollar held on Friday, May 7, near its lowest level in a week, as it is under pressure ahead of the release of US jobs data, which is expected to boost hopes for a strong economic recovery after the pandemic and support investors’ appetite for risk. Against a basket …
Read More »