Oil prices rose on Monday as supply concerns driven by lower OPEC production, unrest in Libya and sanctions against Russia outweighed concern about a global recession slashing demand for crude. Inflation in the euro area hit another record high in June, which strengthens the case for rapid interest rate increases …
Read More »RBA hikes OCR by 50 bps to 1.35%, as expected
At its July 5 monetary policy meeting, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) board members decided to raise the official cash rate (OCR) by 50 basis points (bps) from 0.85% to 1.35%, as widely expected. A Reuters poll of 33 economists showed the RBA will increase its cash rate by …
Read More »The dollar is falling against the euro and pound
The euro and sterling rose against the dollar on Monday in quiet trade amid the holiday season in the United States while risk appetite improved globally. With US markets closed for the Independence Day holiday, markets expected light trading on Monday and major currencies gained ground at the expense of …
Read More »Gold prices fall as rates rise in July
Gold prices fell on Monday as higher interest rates made the precious metal less attractive but the dollar’s decline helped hold gold above the $1800 support. Spot gold fell 0.2 percent to $1,806.58 an ounce by 1121 GMT, after touching a five-month low of 1,783.50 on Friday. US gold futures …
Read More »Swiss inflation rises to a 29-year high of 3.4%
Swiss inflation touched a 29-year high of 3.4% in June, more than economists had expected, and for the first time in Switzerland inflation exceeded 3% since 2008. This reading fueled talk that the central bank may tighten its policy again soon after raising its policy rate last month for the …
Read More »Energy stocks lead European markets higher ahead of inflation data
European stock markets rose on Monday, boosted by oil and gas stocks, while investors awaited the release of inflation data in the eurozone, after a report on consumer prices published last week boosted expectations that the European Central Bank will raise interest rates. The pan-European STOXX 600 index rose 0.8 …
Read More »Annual inflation in Turkey jumps to 78.6%, the highest level in 24 years
Turkey’s annual inflation rate jumped to a 24-year high of 78.62 percent in June, slightly above expectations, data showed on Monday, driven by the impact of the Ukraine war, rising commodity prices and the depreciation of the lira. The Turkish Statistical Institute said consumer prices rose 4.95 percent month-on-month, compared …
Read More »Germany’s trade deficit hit 1B in May
Germany’s seasonally adjusted deficit was about 1 billion euros in the previous May, down from the revised figure in April of 3.1 billion euros, according to data released on Monday. Exports in Germany amounted to about 125.8 billion euros, down 0.5% on a monthly basis, but increased by 11.7% compared …
Read More »Japan shares rise at the close, supported by the utilities sector
Japanese shares closed higher on Monday, supported by utility companies as the country continues to grapple with an unprecedented heat wave. Overall, investor sentiment remained low on widespread fears of a global economic slowdown, with trading slowing ahead of the US Independence Day holiday on Monday. The Nikkei index rose …
Read More »Oil prices decline as tight supply continues
Oil prices fell in early Asian trading on Monday, paring gains from the previous session as fears of a global recession weighed on the market while supply shortages persisted amid lower OPEC production, unrest in Libya and sanctions against Russia. Brent crude futures fell 35 cents, or 0.3 percent, to …
Read More »