The U.S. oil and gas sector is at a crossroads. While recent data points to a modest improvement in business activity, a closer look reveals a complex and nuanced picture. The Dallas Fed Energy Survey, for instance, indicated a slight uptick in the company outlook index, suggesting a cautiously optimistic …
Read More »USD/JPY Forecast: Bullish Momentum Gains Traction
The USD/JPY currency pair surged towards its December high, driven by a confluence of factors. Expectations of a prolonged period of higher interest rates in the United States, fueled by the potential for a Trump presidency, underpinned the US Dollar. The Federal Reserve, in its December statement, signaled a more …
Read More »Loonie Lags Despite PMI Beat, Eyes US Data for Direction
The Canadian Dollar (CAD) remained subdued against the US Dollar on Thursday, struggling to gain traction despite a modestly better-than-expected Manufacturing PMI reading. While the data provided a brief respite from the recent bearish trend, the Loonie remains vulnerable to further downside pressure amidst a broadly stronger US Dollar.The December …
Read More »Cryptocurrencies Surge to Start 2025, Buoyed by Renewed Investor Optimism
The cryptocurrency market has kicked off the new year with a strong rebound, recovering from recent losses as investor confidence returns. Bitcoin, the leading cryptocurrency, saw a significant surge on Thursday, gaining 3% to reach $97,426.02, bringing its year-to-date gains to approximately 4%.This positive momentum extended across the broader crypto …
Read More »Euro Retreats to Two-Year Low Amidst Economic Growth Concerns
The Euro experienced a significant decline on Thursday, falling below 1.0250 against the US Dollar. This marks the lowest level for the currency pair in two years, raising concerns about the Euro’s weakening trajectory.The decline follows the release of disappointing European Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) data. The PMI unexpectedly …
Read More »Pound Sterling Plunges as UK Manufacturing Slumps and Fed Hints at Fewer Cuts
The British Pound Sterling (GBP) plummeted against the US Dollar (USD) on Thursday, hitting an eight-month low near 1.2440. At the time of writing, the GBP/USD pair is down -1.01%; trading at 1.238. This sharp decline was driven by a confluence of factors:Weakening UK Manufacturing: The final S&P Global/CIPS Manufacturing …
Read More »China Adjusts Yuan CFETS Basket Weighting in 2025, Reducing Dollar’s Influence
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 …
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