Market Update

Gold prices declined on Friday, as the U.S. Dollar (USD) returned to the positive territory scoring some gains against major currencies. However, the yellow metal was able to register weekly gains, supported by the prospects of increased government stimulus spending the United States. Gold futures for February delivery declined by …

European stocks closed lower on Friday, on the back of economic data that showed business activity slowing down in the Eurozone amid renewed lockdown and preventive measures against the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic. The pan-European STOXX 600 index lost 0.66% to give up almost all of its weekly gains …

The U.S. Dollar (USD) is showing a relatively stable performance on Friday. After declining throughout the past three sessions, the greenback is making small gains on the last session of the week. This comes amid a softening in the risk appetite, which swayed investors away from the USD towards riskier …

Business activity in the United States expanded during January, data showed on Friday. The IHS Markit flash U.S. composite purchasing managers’ index (PMI) reached its highest level in two months at 58 this month, up from 55.3 in December. The Flash U.S. Services Business Activity Index also went up to …

Existing home sales in the United States rose last month, data by the National Association of Realtors showed on Friday. Home sales grew by 0.7% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 6.76 million units during December, against market expectations of a decline. Home resales rose by 22.2% on an …

US President Joe Biden said Thursday, January 21, that the total number of Covid-19 deaths in his country will likely exceed half a million next month, painting a grim picture of what he said will be a fierce battle. Biden added in a meeting at the White House that the …

Official data revealed that British retailers struggled to recover in December from partial lockdown measures the previous month, marking a weak end to their worst year on record, while public borrowing rose to its highest levels since 1962. These numbers bode poorly for Britain’s economy in early 2021, as it …

The UK manufacturing and services sector activities declined in January, the preliminary report from IHS Markit showed on Friday. The seasonally adjusted IHS Markit/CIPS UK Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) hit a seven-month low of 52.9 in January versus 54.0 expected and 57.5 – December’s final reading.

The dollar settled in a cautious Asian session on Friday, January 22nd, but it is heading towards its worst weekly performance since the start of the year as investors welcome Joe Biden’s management by buying higher-risk assets. Against the Japanese currency, the dollar has fallen 0.3% this week and retreated …

Gold fell on Friday, January 22nd as US Treasury yields rose, but the yellow metal is on track to record its best weekly performance in five weeks, supported by hopes of a major stimulus in the United States. Gold fell in immediate transactions 0.6% to 1859.10 dollars an ounce, retreating …