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.

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 …

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 …

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 …

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.

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%.

The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) closed Tuesday mostly higher, supported by positive economic data, and anticipation for the results of the Federal Reserve meeting. The Dow Jones Industrial Average marginally rose by 2.27 points and closed at 27,995.60 The S&P 500 index added 17.66 points, or 0.5%, and finished …

US Treasury yields rose on Tuesday following the release of positive economic data in the United States. Yields on the 10-year Treasury note increased by 0.9 basis point to 0.678%. Return on the two-year note rose by 0.4 basis point to 0.139%. Meanwhile, the 30-year bond yield grew by 2.2 …

Oil prices rose on Tuesday, amid output disruptions in North America, despite continuous concerns about the outlook for global demand. Brent crude futures for November delivery increased by 92 cents, or 2.3%, and finished at $40.53 per barrel. Meanwhile, the West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures for October delivery added …

Gold prices rose on Tuesday, for the second consecutive session, to its highest level in about two weeks. The yellow metal futures for December delivery gained $2.50, or 0.1%, to settle at $1,966.20 per ounce. This is the highest closing level for gold futures since the beginning of the month.