Market Update

The U.S. Dollar (USD) rose on Wednesday to its highest level in about two and a half months to score large monthly gains against major peers. The greenback in June registered its biggest rise since November 2016, rising by about 3%. The Dollar Index (DXY), which measures the USD’s performance …

Oil prices finished higher on Wednesday, after data showed that U.S. crude inventories declined for the sixth consecutive week. Markets are anticipating the decision by members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its OPEC+ allies on output curbs. Brent crude futures for September delivery gained 34 …

Gold prices rose on Wednesday, amid the U.S. Dollar (USD) decline across the board, but showed a varied performance on the monthly and quarterly levels. The yellow metal’s front month contract for July delivery added $8.00, or 0.45%, to settle at $1,770.80 per ounce. This marked the biggest daily gain …

European stocks closed lower on Wednesday, amid concerns about the rising number of coronavirus cases, especially of the Delta variant, as well as reflation fears. The STOXX Europe 600 index lost 3.53 points, or 0.77%, and closed at 452.84 points. This market the biggest daily loss for the pan-European index …

The Chicago Business Barometer Index declined in June to 66.1 from 75.2 in May, hitting a four-month low, data showed on Friday. During the second quarter (Q2) of the year, the Purchasing Manager Index (PMI) rose by 7.9 points to 71.1, according to ISM-Chicago. This marked the highest quarterly reading …

Crude oil inventories in the United States declined last week for the sixth consecutive week, according to official data. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) on Wednesday reported that crude inventories fell by 6.7 million barrels in the week to June 25. The drop in oil inventories exceeded most market …

U.S. pending home sales increased last month to its highest level since 2005, data showed on Wednesday. The Pending Home Sales Index rose by 8.0% in May to 114.7, according to data by the National Association of Realtors. The surge in the gauge of contracts signed last month came against …

U.S. private payrolls rose more than expected during June, with businesses filling more vacancies to increase production amid demand recovery with the economy reopening, data showed on Wednesday. Private payrolls increased by 692,000 jobs this month, compared with May’s reading of 886,000, which was revised downwards from an initially estimated …

Despite the positive US data on the labor market, and the advance of the US dollar index, the Turkish lira managed to rise strongly against the dollar after days of decline. The data released today also indicates that the trade balance deficit widened on an annual basis by 20.2% during …

Diplomats said EU governments have agreed to add 11 countries, including Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Qatar, to their list of countries that will allow non-essential travel from them. The ambassadors of the twenty-seven countries of the Union agreed to add these countries in today’s meeting, with the decision to take …