Market Update

Gold futures rose on Thursday, finishing a year of strong gains that came on the back of increased demand for the safe haven amid the Coronavirus pandemic and the decline of the US Dollar (USD). Gold futures for February delivery rose by $1.70, or 0.1%, failing to close above $1,900, …

The main indices of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) are ending 2020 on a positive note, supported by the recently approved government stimulus package as well as the rollout of Coronavirus vaccines. Investors are optimistic about the prospects of an economic recovery in 2021 and this has provided strong …

Treasury yields in the United States declined on Thursday, the last trading session of 2020. The 10-year Treasury note yield decreased by one basis point to 0.916%. Return on the 30-year bond went down by 1.4 basis points to 1.648%. Meanwhile, the two-year note yield fell by 0.4 basis point …

The US Dollar (USD) is ending 2020 as its worst year since 2017, amid expectations that increased government stimulus and the easing policies of the United States Federal Reserve will further weaken the greenback in 2021. However, the USD is rising on Thursday supported by the decline in jobless claims. …

Oil prices are declining on Thursday, the last session of 2020, a year in which crude futures lost more than 20% of their trading value. The Coronavirus pandemic has severely impacted the global oil industry, with crude prices hitting lows not seen in years amid a decline in demand for …

European stocks closed lower on Thursday, the last trading session of the year 2020 that was dominated by the Coronavirus pandemic. The STOXX Europe 600 index declined by 0.14% after a short trading session ahead of the New Year’s Holiday. The annual losses of the pan-European index have reached 3.8%. …

The benchmark index of the London Stock Exchange (LSE), FTSE100, declined by 1.5% to close the year at the level of 6,460 points. This means that annual losses for the index have reached 14%, registering its worst yearly performance since 2008. The last day of the year also marks the …

There were 787,000 initial claims for unemployment benefits in the US during the week ending December 26, the data published by the US Department of Labor (DOL) revealed on Thursday. This reading followed the previous print of 806,000 and came in better than the estimate of 833,000.

The European Commission said on Thursday that it regrets the United States’ decision to extend tariffs to further European products, as reported by Reuters. “The US action disrupts negotiations to find a settlement to aircraft subsidy dispute,” the EU Commission further noted

British Defense Minister Ben Wallace said that the armed forces can distribute 100,000 doses of the vaccine against Covid-19 disease if required, which helps immunize millions of people threatened with infection before spring arrives. He added that he assigned 130 military planners and personnel to cooperate with the health authorities …