The China Foreign Exchange Trade System (CFETS), overseen by the People’s Bank of China, announced significant adjustments to the yuan’s CFETS basket weighting effective January 1, 2025. These changes reflect a strategic shift in China’s foreign exchange policy, aiming to diversify the yuan’s value away from over-reliance on the U.S. …
Read More »Wall Street Retreats as Record-Breaking Year Closes
US stock indexes experienced a downturn on Tuesday, indicating a potential subdued finish for a year marked by significant gains. The S&P 500, after a brief initial rise, turned negative, declining by 0.6%. This follows two consecutive days of losses exceeding 1%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average also slipped, while …
Read More »Fresh US Sanctions Target Russia, Iran On 2024 Election Interference
The Treasury and State Departments said Tuesday that the Biden administration had placed additional penalties on Iranian and Russian organizations for their efforts to sabotage the 2024 election. In particular, the Treasury Department is enacting new sanctions against the Moscow-based Center for Geopolitical Expertise and its director, Valery Mikhaylovich Korovin, …
Read More »XAU/USD Holds Firm Above $2,600 as Year-End Trading Winds Down
XAU/USD is trading above $2,600 per ounce as the year draws to a close, though upward momentum remains limited. Risk-off sentiment spurred by the year-end market slowdown has provided some support for gold prices.Trading activity has been subdued in recent days as investors prepare for the New Year’s holiday, with …
Read More »Key Cryptocurrency Predictions for 2025: Navigating Uncertain Outlook
The cryptocurrency market experienced a remarkable surge in 2024, with the total market capitalization soaring to over $3.3 trillion, a nearly twofold increase from the previous year. Bitcoin, the dominant cryptocurrency, led this charge, gaining over 125% in value. This bullish sentiment was fueled by several key factors, including the …
Read More »What Can Markets Expect From Looming Fed’s 2025 Review?
In 2025, the Federal Reserve will undertake a comprehensive review of its monetary policy strategy and tools, a critical self-assessment conducted every five years. This review comes at a pivotal moment, following a period of historically high inflation and aggressive interest rate hikes.The previous framework update, conducted in 2020, introduced …
Read More »Despite Daily Gains, Oil Prices End Year with Losses On 2025’s Uncertainties
Oil prices concluded 2024 with a second consecutive year of losses, despite a modest increase on Tuesday. While Brent crude futures and US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude saw slight gains, they remain below their year-end 2023 levels, indicating a subdued market.The subdued price environment reflects a confluence of factors. …
Read More »Oil Prices End 2024 At Murky Midpoint: A Year of Contradictions and Uncertainties
The year 2024 in the oil market was characterized by a perplexing blend of robust demand and lingering uncertainties. While global oil consumption reached a record high, defying expectations amidst concerns about slowing Chinese economic growth, the year ended with prices largely stagnant. Brent crude hovered around $74 per barrel, …
Read More »Market Drivers, US Session – Holiday Grind: Markets Drift in Year-End Slumber
The final days of the year have descended upon global markets, ushering in a period of characteristically subdued activity. With major exchanges shuttered for several days during the holiday week, trading volumes have dwindled, and price movements have become muted. The US Dollar Index (DXY) has remained largely unchanged, hovering …
Read More »Loonie Lifts on Thin Holiday Trading, But Outlook Remains Dim
The Canadian Dollar staged a modest recovery against the US Dollar on Monday, gaining nearly half a percent. However, this move appears driven by thin trading conditions and a lack of significant market activity as the year draws to a close.With most global markets observing the holiday season, trading volumes …
Read More »