The United States Federal Reserve finished its two-day policy meeting on Wednesday and expressed better expectations for the US economy. The Fed reiterated its commitment to do what is necessary to help the US economy recover from the worst recession in years. Members of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) …
Read More »Fed Maintains Rates Steady Awaiting Uptick in Inflation
The United States Federal Reserve has decided in its meeting, held on Tuesday and Wednesday, to maintain the current rates, expected to maintain rates steady until inflation exceeds 2%. As expected, the Fed expressed commitment to maintain interest rates near 0%. This is the first meeting for the US monetary …
Read More »Gold Closes Higher Ahead of Fed Statement
Gold prices rose on Wednesday, amid a fluctuating performance by the US Dollar (USD), which came mostly in the negative territory ahead of the release of the US Federal Reserve policy statement. Gold futures for December delivery increased by $4.30, or 0.2%, and settled at $1,970.50 per ounce.
Read More »US Oil Inventories Down 4.4 M Barrels
Data of the United States Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) weekly report showed on Wednesday that crude oil inventories in the US declined by 4.4 million barrels last week. This comes against market analysts’ expectations of a 1.27 million barrel rise in US oil stockpiles.
Read More »European Stocks Settle Higher Awaiting Fed Statement
European stocks closed higher on Wednesday, amid anticipation for the results of the US Federal Reserve meeting. The Stoxx Europe 600 gained 0.43% and closed at 372.57 points. Meanwhile, the UK’s FTSE100 declined by 0.44%, amid Brexit uncertainty. In France, the benchmark index CAC40 edged up by 0.13%, while in …
Read More »Japan’s PM Vows to Protect Employment
The new Prime Minister of Japan, Yoshihide Suga, has vowed to protect employment against the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. On Wednesday, in his first remarks as the successor of Shinzo Abe, the Prime Minister said that COVID-19 is the biggest challenge facing the Japanese economy, Reuters reported. Following the …
Read More »US Consumer Spending Slows in August
Consumer spending in the United States slowed last month, according to data released on Wednesday. The value of overall sales increased 0.6%. Retail sales, excluding automobiles, gasoline, building materials, and food services, decreased by 0.1% in August, after rising by 0.9% in July, as per the reading revised from a …
Read More »US Homebuilder Confidence Surges to All-Time High
Homebuilder confidence in the United States increased to a record high in September, data showed on Wednesday. The NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) went up by five points to a record high of 83 in September. This comes amid historically low mortgage rates due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Read More »US Business Inventories Rise for First Time in 2020
Business inventories in the United States rose in July, for the first time in 2020, data showed on Wednesday. Business inventories increased by 0.1% in July, after decreasing by 1.1% in June, according to the US Department of Commerce. Retail inventories grew by 1.2%, while wholesale inventories fell by 0.3%.
Read More »Turkish Lira Hits New Record Low Against US Dollar
The Turkish lira weakened to a record low against the dollar on Wednesday as concerns about the economic outlook continue, while investors await the decision of the Fed. The Turkish currency touched record low 7.5020 and beyond this week, as Moody’s downgrade of Turkey’s credit rating to “B2” from “B1”. …
Read More »