Market Update

Oil prices fell Friday, July 16, heading for their biggest weekly drop since at least May. Expectations of an increase in supply raised investor concerns, as OPEC is likely to raise production in line with a possible recovery in demand as more countries recover from the Covid-19 pandemic. The price …

The U.S. Treasury Secretary, Janet Yellen, is worried about housing costs, expecting high inflation to remain for several months before easing. The housing market remains in a better position compared to the time prior to the 2008 market crash, Yellen told CNBC “It’s a very different phenomenon but I do worry …

New business applications in the United States decreased by 9.8% to a seasonally adjusted 448,553 in June, official data showed on Thursday. This marked the first time for applications to start a new business in the U.S. to decline since February. A seasonally adjusted 51,543 applications were received from corporations, …

Oil prices finished lower on Thursday, maintaining a downward trend for the second consecutive session, amid uncertainty about production levels. Yesterday, media reports suggested that the OPEC+ alliance has reached an initial agreement to extend the current output cuts until 2022, with a gradual easing in the curbs in line …

The U.S. Dollar (USD) rose on Thursday, supported by the drop in weekly jobless claims and the testimony of the Federal Reserve Chair before Congress, in which expressed the central bank’s patience in dealing with the rising inflation. Unemployment benefits data showed that the labor market continues to show recovery …

Gold prices finished lower on Thursday after recent remarks by the Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell eased concerns about the rising inflation a sudden change in monetary policy. The yellow metal’s decline comes a day after finishing at its highest level in about a month. Gold futures for August delivery …

European stocks finished lower on Thursday, with the energy sector leading the losses due to the drop in crude oil prices. The STOXX Europe 600 index closed lower by about 1%, logging its biggest decline and its lowest closing level since July 8, at 456.20 points. Oil and gas stocks …

The United States Senate could be voting on the bipartisan infrastructure bill next Wednesday, Senate said Majority leader Chuck Schumer said on Thursday. The $1.2 trillion plan includes spending on roads, bridges, and other infrastructure projects. “All parties involved in the bipartisan infrastructure bill talks must now finalize their agreement …

The United States import price index surged by 1% in June, official data showed on Thursday. This marked the seventh consecutive monthly increase for import prices. Despite coming in line with market expectations, the rise in the cost of imported goods showed another element contributing to the surging inflationary pressures. …

The Index of the NY Fed’s Empire State Manufacturing Survey improved sharply to 43 from 17.4 in June. This reading fell short of the market expectation of 18 by a wide margin.