The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) opened the week on a mixed note, as the Nasdaq Composite index continued its positive performance and hit a new record high during Monday early trading. This comes amid renewed hopes for a new government stimulus package, as well as positive news about Coronavirus …
Read More »US Economy Awaiting Stimulus Package After Job Numbers
The United States economy created a less than expected number of new jobs last month, as per data released on Friday. November saw the smallest increase in non-farm payrolls since in six months, or since the recovery from the Coronavirus crisis began. This comes amid an increase in the number …
Read More »Oil Rises and Logs 2% Weekly Rise
Oil prices rose on Friday, extending its weekly gains, supported by a positive reaction to the OPEC+ move, which is seen as an indicator of market recovery signs. Brent crude futures for February delivery rose by 54 cents, or 1.1%, to finish at $49.25 per barrel. For the week, the …
Read More »US Oil Rigs Rise in Week
Active crude oil and natural gas rigs in the United States rose this week, for the eleventh time in 12 weeks. Oil and gas rig count increased by three to 323 in the week that ended on December 4, according to the Baker Hughes weekly report. Oil rigs alone increased …
Read More »Gold Declines but Scores Weekly Gains
Gold prices declined on Friday, despite the decline of the US Dollar (USD), amid improved investors’ sentiment on Coronavirus vaccine progress. Gold futures for February delivery decreased by $1.10, or 0.1%, and closed at $1,840 per ounce. For the week, the yellow metal contracts gained 2.9%. On the other hand, …
Read More »Fed’s Evans Comfortable with Asset Purchases Pace
The President of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, Charles Evans, said on Friday that he is comfortable with the current pace of the bond-buying program by the Fed, Reuters reported. “I am not opposed to more accommodation – I’m just not exactly sure what the right timing is.”“I don’t …
Read More »Global Debt-to-GDP Ratio Seen Rising by 14%
S&P Global expects global debt to reach $200 trillion, amounting to 265% of the world’s GDP, by the end of 2020, Reuters reported. The 14% increase in the global debt-to-GDP ratio comes amid increased borrowing to face the economic consequences of the Coronavirus crisis. The ratings agency does not see …
Read More »US Factory Orders Rise 1% in October
New factory orders in the United States grew by 1% in October, compared with a previous estimate of 1.3%, data by the US Department of Commerce showed on Friday. Orders for non-defense capital goods, excluding aircrafts, went up by a revised reading of 0.8% in October instead of 0.7% as …
Read More »European Stocks Close Higher on Improved Sentiment
European stocks closed higher on Friday, supported by hopes for a new stimulus package in the United States and a post-Brexit trade agreement. The pan-European STOXX 600 index finished higher by 0.40% at 391.31 points. Meanwhile, the UK’s FTSE100 surged by 0.88%. The French CAC40 increased by 0.37%, while the …
Read More »US Trade Deficit Rises 1.7% in October
Trade deficit in the United States increased by 1.7% during October to $63.1 billion, data by the US Department of Commerce showed on Friday. The September reading was revised to $62.1 billion instead of an initially estimated $63.9 billion deficit. Imports grew by 2.1% to $245.1 billion, while exports went …
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