Market Update

Manufacturing activity in the Eurozone increased in June at the fastest pace on record, a survey showed on Thursday, July 1 also showed that factories faced the largest increase in raw material costs in well over two decades. The final reading of the IHS Markit Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index rose …

A document published by the Russian government said that President Vladimir Putin signed a law requiring foreign information technology companies to open offices on Russian soil, in the latest steps taken by Moscow to impose greater control over big technology companies. Russia is keen to tighten its grip on the …

Gold prices rose today, Thursday, July 1, as concerns about the most contagious delta strain of the Coronavirus boosted the yellow metal’s appeal as a safe haven, ahead of US jobs data, which is an important factor in the US Federal Council’s policy outlook. Spot gold rose 0.4% to more …

The dollar hit a 15-maonth high against the yen and hovered near a multi-month peak against other major peer currencies on Thursday, July 1, ahead of a major US jobs report that could provide clues as to when the Fed will begin to scale back stimulus. The US currency rose …

Oil prices rose on Thursday, July 1, buoyed by falling US inventories, as investors awaited a decision from major producers on whether to maintain or ease supply cuts in the second half of the year. Brent crude for September delivery gained 15 cents, or 0.2%, to $74.77 a barrel, while …

Japanese stocks closed lower Thursday, July 1, as they were pressured by concerns that a rise in COVID-19 infections could extend restrictions and slow economic recovery. The Nikkei index fell 0.29% to 28,707.04 points, while the broader Topix index fell 0.22% to 1939.21 points. Japan is likely to extend coronavirus …

President of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, Robert Kaplan, hopes tapering could begin soon, telling Bloomberg on Wednesday that the reducing asset purchases will be smooth and not shock the market. “I want it to get out into the market, and I think this debate we’re having at the …

Ford Motor plans to shut down several of its factories in North America due to the global shortage of semiconductors. The closure will take place for a few weeks over the course of July and August. The supply disruption might cost the company as much as $2.5 billion this year, …

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 …