The Treasury and State Departments said Tuesday that the Biden administration had placed additional penalties on Iranian and Russian organizations for their efforts to sabotage the 2024 election. In particular, the Treasury Department is enacting new sanctions against the Moscow-based Center for Geopolitical Expertise and its director, Valery Mikhaylovich Korovin, …
Read More »XAU/USD Holds Firm Above $2,600 as Year-End Trading Winds Down
XAU/USD is trading above $2,600 per ounce as the year draws to a close, though upward momentum remains limited. Risk-off sentiment spurred by the year-end market slowdown has provided some support for gold prices.Trading activity has been subdued in recent days as investors prepare for the New Year’s holiday, with …
Read More »Key Cryptocurrency Predictions for 2025: Navigating Uncertain Outlook
The cryptocurrency market experienced a remarkable surge in 2024, with the total market capitalization soaring to over $3.3 trillion, a nearly twofold increase from the previous year. Bitcoin, the dominant cryptocurrency, led this charge, gaining over 125% in value. This bullish sentiment was fueled by several key factors, including the …
Read More »What Can Markets Expect From Looming Fed’s 2025 Review?
In 2025, the Federal Reserve will undertake a comprehensive review of its monetary policy strategy and tools, a critical self-assessment conducted every five years. This review comes at a pivotal moment, following a period of historically high inflation and aggressive interest rate hikes.The previous framework update, conducted in 2020, introduced …
Read More »Despite Daily Gains, Oil Prices End Year with Losses On 2025’s Uncertainties
Oil prices concluded 2024 with a second consecutive year of losses, despite a modest increase on Tuesday. While Brent crude futures and US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude saw slight gains, they remain below their year-end 2023 levels, indicating a subdued market.The subdued price environment reflects a confluence of factors. …
Read More »China’s Economy on Track for 5% Growth in 2024, Xi Jinping Confirms
China’s GDP is projected to grow by approximately 5% in 2024, aligning with the government’s formal growth target, according to President Xi Jinping. This reinforces confidence in the resilience of the world’s second-largest economy despite a year of economic uncertainty. Stability Amid Challenges: Speaking at a New Year event, Xi …
Read More »US Dollar Slightly Lower but Set for Strong Annual Gains in 2024
The US Dollar edged lower in early trading on Tuesday, reflecting thin year-end market activity. However, the greenback remains on track for significant gains in 2024, driven by the Federal Reserve’s cautious stance on interest rate cuts and expectations tied to the incoming Donald Trump administration. Dollar Index: Down 0.1% …
Read More »European Stocks Flat in Final Trading Session of 2024 Amid Policy and Political Uncertainty
European stock markets traded in a subdued manner on Tuesday, wrapping up a year of mixed performances. Uncertainty regarding monetary policy and political shifts curtailed earlier gains, with several indices hitting record highs earlier in the year. Pan-European STOXX 600: Flat as of 08:21 GMT, with the benchmark on track …
Read More »Oil Prices Edge Higher on China Manufacturing Data but Remain Set for Yearly Losses
Oil prices rose on Tuesday following news of China’s continued manufacturing expansion in December. However, both Brent and WTI are poised to end lower for the second consecutive year due to demand concerns in key consuming nations. Brent Crude Futures: Increased by 0.8% to $74.56 per barrel. West Texas Intermediate …
Read More »Gold Prices Steady Amid Thin Year-End Trading, Set for Strong Yearly Gains
Gold prices remained largely unchanged during Asian trading hours on Tuesday, with Spot Gold steady at $2,607.65 per ounce and Gold Futures for February delivery edging 0.2% lower to $2,620.22 per ounce by 00:23 ET (05:23 GMT). Year-end trading typically sees thin volumes, with institutional investors wrapping up positions ahead …
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