Market Update

The Gold Index (XAU/USD) hit $1900 per ounce for the first time since June 2021 on Thursday, taking its on-the-day gains to more than 1.5% as geopolitical tensions between Russia, Ukraine and NATO simmer, stimulating demand for safe-haven assets.Gold now trades more than 2.0% higher on the week, taking its …

WTI crude rebounded sharply on Thursday after Wednesday’s US-Iran negotiation progress had invaded news headlines triggering a sharp price drop.Having been as low as $90.00 per barrel on Wednesday, WTI is now trading near $92.00 again thanks to escalating Russia-NATO tensions. A long-term trendline continues to offer WTI support.Oil prices …

The US Federal Reserve should implement a full percentage point of rate increases over its next three meetings between now and the first of July 2022, St. Louis Fed president James Bullard said on Thursday, reiterating his calls for strong action from the Fed against stubbornly high inflation.“We are missing …

The ultra-low inflation seen in the euro zone until recently are unlikely to return even after the pandemic is over, the European Central Bank’s chief economist Philip Lane said, citing changes in the global economy among other factors.Lane had dismissed the notion of a new era for inflation until recently …

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will be delivering his remarks on the Russia-Ukraine conflict at a UN Security Council Meeting, from UN Headquarters in New York City, on Thursday.Markets remain risk-averse on Thursday on reports pointing to a heightened risk of a Russian invasion. The benchmark 10-year US Treasury …

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Kubela Dmytro said on Thursday that fire from a tank had been recorded in Eastern Ukraine. This development comes after mortar fire and shelling throughout Thursday morning that was only reported to have stopped at 1:00 p.m. local time. As for the market’s reaction, the latest round …

There were 248,000 initial claims for unemployment benefits in the US during the week ending February 12, the data published by the US Department of Labor (DOL) revealed on Thursday. This was above the median economist forecast for 219,000 initial claims and was also above last week’s 225,000 reading, which …

The Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey (CBRT) announced on Thursday that it left its policy (one-week repo) rate unchanged at 14% as expected.

Oil prices fell on Thursday as talks to revive a nuclear deal with Iran entered their final stages, but tension between Russia and the West over Ukraine limited losses. Brent crude fell $1.26, or 1.3 percent, to $93.55 a barrel. US West Texas Intermediate crude fell 1.34 dollars, equivalent to …

The dollar stabilized on Thursday and the Japanese yen held on to earlier gains after a Russian news report of mortar fire in eastern Ukraine rocked markets and boosted appetite for safe-haven assets. Russia-backed rebels accused Ukrainian forces of bombing lands they control in violation of agreements aimed at ending …