Market Analysis

January, 2025

  • 9 January 2025 12:40 pm

    European Stocks Edge Lower Amid Mixed Economic Data and Retail Earnings

    European stock markets traded slightly lower on Thursday, as investors evaluated economic data and retail sector earnings. At 03:05 ET (08:05 GMT), Germany’s DAX slipped 0.2%, France’s CAC 40 fell 0.2%, and the UK’s FTSE 100 remained flat. Trading volumes are expected to be muted, with U.S. markets closed to …

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  • 9 January 2025 11:58 am

    Oil Prices Steady Amid Seasonal Demand and Rising U.S. Inventories

    Oil prices held steady on Thursday as markets balanced strong winter fuel demand expectations with concerns over rising U.S. fuel inventories and macroeconomic uncertainties. Brent crude futures dipped by 6 cents to $76.10 per barrel at 07:27 GMT. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures declined by 5 cents to $73.27 …

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  • 9 January 2025 11:28 am

    Gold Prices Hold Steady Amid Fed Concerns and Trade Tariff Uncertainty; Copper Rises on China Stimulus Hopes

    Gold prices steadied in Asian trade on Thursday after two consecutive days of gains, supported by safe-haven demand amid uncertainty over a hawkish Federal Reserve and concerns about President-elect Donald Trump’s potential trade tariff policies. Spot gold dipped slightly by 0.1% to $2,660.36 an ounce, while February gold futures gained …

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  • 9 January 2025 5:52 am

    WTI Oil Prices Slip Below $72.50 as US Dollar Strengthens

    West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil prices dipped below $72.50 per barrel in early Asian trading on Thursday, pressured by a strengthening US Dollar. While a firmer greenback typically weighs on dollar-denominated commodities like oil, concerns over potential supply disruptions from ongoing geopolitical tensions are likely to limit downside price …

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  • 9 January 2025 3:12 am

    Is Eurozone back to a sovereign debt crisis following the German election?

    German Chancellor Olaf Scholz disbanded his coalition government composed of the Social Democrats, Greens, and Free Democrats the day after Donald Trump was re-elected as U.S. President in November. Additionally, he accelerated the election date in Germany from September 2025 to February 23, 2025. Germany lost its government as a …

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  • 9 January 2025 1:42 am

    Yen Retreats On Stronger US Dollar

    The Japanese yen is retreating against the US dollar due to the latter’s strength, driven by diverse employment data and a report indicating the possibility of the Trump administration’s tariffs being activated soon.The US dollar rose for the second consecutive day, supported by preliminary employment data that highlighted a lower-than-expected …

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  • 9 January 2025 12:18 am

    XAU/USD Edges Higher Despite Mixed US Jobs Data As FOMC Minutes Hint at Slowing Rate Cuts

    Gold prices climbed during the North American session, buoyed by a slightly hawkish tone in the latest Federal Reserve meeting minutes. The minutes suggested that the pace of interest rate cuts may slow down, a development that typically supports gold as a hedge against inflation.While the US Dollar Index strengthened, …

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  • 8 January 2025 10:47 pm

    FOMC Minutes Reflect Growing Concerns Over Trump’s Trade Policies

    The Federal Reserve’s latest monetary policy meeting minutes, released on Wednesday, revealed that “Fed officials are factoring in the potential changes to trade and immigration policies as they prepare their economic forecasts.”Some expressed concerns that “President-elect Donald Trump’s trade policies could make it difficult to interpret inflation readings in the …

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  • 8 January 2025 10:05 pm

    Key Market Drivers; US Session: Treading Water Ahead of Crucial NFP Data

    Global markets displayed a cautious tone on Wednesday, with most major currency pairs trading within narrow ranges. Investors are gearing up for a busy data release schedule culminating in Friday’s highly anticipated US Nonfarm Payrolls report.The US Dollar Index edged higher, reflecting a cautious investor sentiment that favored the safe-haven …

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  • 8 January 2025 9:07 pm

    The Fed’s Cautious Path: What to Expect from December’s FOMC Minutes

    FOMC minutes

    The Federal Reserve’s decision to cut interest rates in December, while welcomed by some, was marked by a notable degree of caution. The minutes of the December 17-18 policy meeting, to be released on Wednesday, will offer crucial insights into the internal deliberations that shaped this decision.The 25-basis-point rate cut …

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  • 8 January 2025 7:42 pm

    Jobless Claims Data Explainer: A Resilient US Labour Market, But for How Long?

    The recent decline in US jobless claims, falling to an 11-month low, offers a seemingly positive snapshot of the labour market. However, this picture is far from complete. While layoffs remain relatively low, a closer examination reveals a more nuanced reality – one of slowing hiring, prolonged unemployment for some, …

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  • 8 January 2025 4:54 pm

    China Anticipates Record Travel During Lunar New Year Amid Economic Struggles

    China is bracing for an unprecedented travel surge during the upcoming Lunar New Year, with authorities predicting a staggering 9 billion domestic trips during the 40-day Spring Festival period starting January 14. This forecast, despite the country’s sluggish economic recovery, reflects a deep cultural tradition of family reunions during the …

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  • 8 January 2025 2:46 pm

    Dollar Strengthens Amid Robust U.S. Data, Weighing on Global Currencies

    The U.S. dollar advanced for the second consecutive day on Wednesday, buoyed by strong economic data that pushed bond yields higher and diminished expectations for Federal Reserve rate cuts in 2025. U.S. job openings rose unexpectedly in November, while December’s services sector activity showed notable acceleration. Additionally, a surge in …

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