• US stocks open mixed ahead post fresh economic data

    New York, US- Wall Street stocks saw a mixed start to Thursday, as traders digested the latest economic data ahead of the Good Friday holiday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 0.2 percent to 39,829.51. The broad-based S&P 500 Index was flat at 5,247.74, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index retreated...
  • Asian markets struggle as US data dents Fed rate cut optimism

    Equities across the world had surged Thursday in response to the central bank's closely watched dot plot projection that it would lower borrowing costs three times this year, even after figures showed prices ticking up in January and February. .
  • Gold hits fresh record above $2,200 on rate cut hopes

    The gains have been helped by a weaker dollar and the gold's attraction as a safe haven as geopolitical tensions rise. Because bullion does not generate any interest, it benefits when central banks lower borrowing costs as its safe-haven status makes it more attractive to investors.
  • GCC central banks hold rates steady, following US Fed

    The Central Bank of the UAE kept the Base Rate for the Overnight Deposit Facility (ODF) steady at 5.40%, aligning its monetary policy closely with that of the US Federal Reserve. In Qatar, the Central Bank has also decided to keep its deposit, lending, and repo rates unchanged at 5.75%,...
  • Federal Reserve begins two-day talk on interest rates

    Washington, United States - The US Federal Reserve began two days of discussions on Tuesday at which policymakers are expected to hold firm on interest rates, and continue discussions about when to start cutting them. The meeting got under way in Washington at 9am local time (1300 GMT) on Tuesday, the...
  • US consumer inflation in Feb up as Federal Reserve mulls rate cut

    The annual consumer price index (CPI) came in at 3.2 percent last month, the Labor Department said, while the "core" measure stripping out volatile food and energy prices edged down slightly to 3.8 percent.
  • Gold, bitcoin pull back from records as US stock markets slip

    On Wall Street, the Dow and the S&P 500 both finished 1.0 percent lower, while the tech-rich Nasdaq composite ended the day down 1.7 percent, pulled down by firms including Apple and Tesla. Despite the gloomy trading day in New York, US stock indices are still up sharply on the...
  • Gold hovers near a month high on slowing US inflation

    ABU DHABI, UAE- Gold prices hovered near a month high on Friday after data suggested easing US price pressures, while traders awaited remarks from several Federal Reserve officials. According to Reuters, spot gold edged 0.2 percent higher to $2,047.29 per ounce, as of 0635 GMT, after hitting $2050.59 on Thursday...
  • Major stock markets trade mixed as US inflation data awaited

    London, United Kingdom - Major stock markets traded mixed Thursday before the release of US inflation data that could present a clearer idea on when the Federal Reserve will start cutting interest rates as inflation cools. Traders reacted also to yet more earnings, with the Paris CAC 40 reaching a fresh...
  • Geopolitical risks, sanctions keep commodity markets on edge

    Istanbul, Turkey--The commodity markets saw supply concerns and rises by optimism from China, despite the negative impact of the Fed's announcements, sanctions, and ongoing geopolitical risks. Uncertainties as to when the Fed will start cutting interest rates persist, and the minutes of last week's Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting...
  • Stock markets diverge before Nvidia results, Federal Reserve minutes

    Stock markets diverged as traders awaited earnings from US tech darling Nvidia, in addition to minutes from the Federal Reserve that could shed fresh light on the outlook for interest rates. Wall Street shares fell at the opening bell, with downbeat guidance from other tech companies dampening the mood ahead...
  • Oil may rise to $100, gold to hit $3,000 by 2025, says Citi

    ABU DHABI, UAE - Oil prices could rise to $100 per barrel and gold prices could reach $3,000 per ounce within the next 12 to 18 months, subject to three potential catalysts, CNBC reported, citing Citi analysts. Aakash Doshi, Citi’s North America head of commodities research, told CNBC that gold...
  • Asian markets rally after Wall Street highs, oil prices slide

    "The weakness of yesterday's US retail sales release have given market doves a new lease of life and allowed them to refocus on the likelihood of an early Fed rate cut," Rabobank analyst Jane Foley told AFP.
  • European stocks firm as markets await US inflation data

    London, United Kingdom - Europe's main stock markets steadied Friday as traders reacted to more earnings updates from top companies, while awaiting revisions to US inflation data. Asia saw holiday-thinned trade, with investors there struggling to build on another record-setting day on Wall Street. "Today sees things slow down after a...
  • ‘Bond market acts as a mirror to economic realities’

    "(US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome) Powell's focus on verifying inflation's trajectory is in line with the central bank's dual mandate of ensuring price stability and maximum sustainable employment. The bond market's reaction, with rising yields, signifies a shift in expectations about the inflationary landscape and the Fed's anticipated response," he...
  • Turkey’s inflation 65% in Jan, piles pressure on central bank

    Istanbul, Turkey - Turkey's annual inflation rate stayed stable in January at nearly 65 percent, but month-on-month consumer price increases jumped sharply following a huge minimum wage hike, official data showed Monday. The year-on-year inflation rate moved to 64.86 percent -- up a notch from 64.77 percent in December, the TUIK...
  • European markets surge as US jobs data batter rate cut hopes

    "The markets continue to forge ahead despite a blowout jobs report from the US last Friday which seems to have finally put the nail in the coffin of the idea rates will be cut next month," said AJ Bell investment director Russ Mould.
  • Most markets advance after tech titans fuel Wall Street surge

    Shares in Amazon, Apple and Facebook owner Meta all climbed during Thursday's session. All three companies were due to report results after the market closed
  • US stocks rebound from sell-off on Fed disappointment

    New York, United States - Wall Street stocks rose early Thursday, rebounding from the prior session's pullback as markets awaited more big tech earnings later in the day. Major indices had tumbled on Wednesday after Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell dampened expectations for an imminent cut in interest rates. Adam Sarhan...
  • Global stock markets swing ahead of Fed’s latest rate decision

    "Markets are eagerly anticipating today's meeting from the Federal Reserve with traders looking for signs over whether a March rate cut is plausible," said Joshua Mahony, chief market analyst at Scope Markets.
  • US Fed rate cuts become question of when, not if

    Washington, United States -- The US Federal Reserve is widely expected to start cutting interest rates in the coming months, as inflation edges closer to its long-run target of two percent. What is less clear, however, is when the first of those cuts will come. While the US central bank is...
  • US Federal Reserve’s favored inflation gauge rises before rate decision

    The US Federal Reserve's favored measure of inflation ticked higher last month, according to government data published. The latest announcement will likely ensure the US central bank keeps interest rates on hold at its next decision announcement on Wednesday, as policymakers continue talks on when to start cuts.
  • ECB to urge patience on rate cuts in battle against inflation

    The central bank is tipped to leave rates unchanged for a third consecutive meeting, keeping the benchmark deposit rate at a record four percent. The bank's governing council is expected to repeat that it considers rates are currently at levels that "will make a substantial contribution" to returning inflation to...
  • European market up on record-busting Wall Street

    A surge in tech titans including Apple, Amazon, Nvidia and Facebook parent Meta on Friday pushed New York's S&P 500 index to its first new all-time high since early 2022 thanks to bets on lower borrowing costs this year.
  • Markets track Wall St rally but China worries cast shadow

    Broader markets were also enjoying a day in the sun though traders struggled to maintain the morning's momentum. Tokyo put on more than one percent thanks to the weaker yen as data showing Japanese inflation slowing eased pressure on the country's central bank to shift away from its ultra-loose monetary...
  • Gold extends slide after Fed dampens March rate cut hope

    Dubai, UAE - Gold prices extended losses on Wednesday as the US dollar strengthened after comments from a Federal Reserve official dampened expectations for a March interest rate cut, Reuters reported. Spot gold was down 0.2% at $2,023.49 per ounce, as of 0415 GMT, after stooping 1.3% in the previous...
  • Markets drop as Middle East tensions rise, rates cut delayed

    While inflation is on a general downward path, there is a worry that it could pop back up anytime, particularly with tensions in the oil-rich Middle East showing no sign of calming.
  • US consumer inflation jumps more than expected to 3.4 percent

    Washington, US - Consumer inflation in the United States rose more than anticipated in December, government data showed Thursday, underscoring the bumpy road to cooling price increases as the presidential election looms. The Department of Labor's consumer price index (CPI), a key measure of inflation, was up 3.4 percent from a...
  • Markets drop as US jobs deal fresh blow to early rate cut hopes

    Hong Kong, China - Asian markets stumbled out of the gates Monday, extending last week's grim start to the year, after a forecast-busting US jobs report further dampened hopes for an early interest rate cut. The keenly awaited non-farm payrolls data Friday showed the world's number one economy remains resilient despite...
  • Asia stocks track global losses as traders step back after rally

    Hong Kong, China - Asian markets fell Wednesday in line with a sell-off across most of the world as traders took their cash off the table after a blockbuster end to 2023, with eyes now on the release this week of Federal Reserve minutes and US jobs data. Equities surged in...
  • Gold strikes fresh record high as rate cut bets surge

    Hong Kong, China - Gold prices soared to a record high above $2,100 on Monday as traders grow increasingly confident the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates in the new year. The precious metal struck $2,135.39 in early Asian trade, topping the previous all-time high set in 2020, during the pandemic....
  • Fed’s inflation gauge slows in October as energy, goods prices drop

    Washington, United States - A key inflation measure used by the US Federal Reserve to set interest rates eased further last month amid declining energy and goods prices, according to government data published Thursday. The annual personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index rose 3.0 percent in October, down 0.4 percentage points...
  • Stock markets on hold as investors await key US inflation data

    Stock markets were mostly in wait-and-see mode as investors eyed the release this week of key US inflation data that could guide Federal Reserve plans for interest rates. Oil prices slid nearly two percent before cutting their losses as dealers awaited a delayed meeting of OPEC and its allies to...
  • US markets up after Nvidia reports $9.2 billion in third-quarter profit

    New York, United States - Wall Street stocks resumed their upward climb early Wednesday following strong results from artificial intelligence player Nvidia as US Treasury yields retreated. Nvidia said it made a profit of $9.2 billion on revenue of a whopping $18.1 billion in the third quarter, compared with $5.9 billion...
  • Stocks extend global rally as US jobs data cements rate hopes

    Hong Kong, China - Markets rallied again Monday following another strong performance on Wall Street, as below-forecast US jobs data fanned optimism that the Federal Reserve had reached the end of its interest rate hiking cycle. After a tough year for traders, the bank's decision last week to pause on monetary...
  • Gulf central banks mimic US Fed, maintain interest rates

    The UAE's central bank has kept its Base Rate for the Overnight Deposit Facility (ODF) unchanged at 5.40 percent. It is closely tied to the US Federal Reserve's Interest on Reserve Balances (IORB), reflecting the general stance of the CBUAE's monetary policy. Qatar Central Bank too has maintained its current...
  • Investors eye gold as safe haven amid Gaza tensions

    The ongoing Gaza conflict has driven gold prices over $2,000/oz, highlighting the deep connection between geopolitical tensions and global financial market reactions.
  • Federal Reserve likely to pause interest rate hikes

    The Federal Reserve will likely announce it is holding interest rates at a 22-year high on Wednesday, as it looks to tackle inflation without damaging the resilient US economy. Analysts and traders parsing recent Fed speeches overwhelmingly expect the US central bank to hold rates steady for the second meeting...
  • Markets fall as traders wary due to Gaza war, Fed interest rates

    Paris, France - Stock markets slid on Monday, extending last week's sell-off n fears of a regional conflict in the Middle East and worries that US interest rates will remain elevated for longer than initially thought. The concerns about US interest rates have also been affecting bond markets, with the yield...
  • Stocks slide as investors worry over Middle East crisis

    London, United Kingdom - European and US stock markets fell Thursday as investors worried over rising US Treasury yields and the Israel-Hamas crisis potentially growing into a wider conflict in the Middle East. Wall Street opened higher after falling the previous day, but slid into loss during morning trading, while Europe's...
  • US wholesale prices rise more than expected in September

    Washington, United States - US wholesale prices rose more than expected in September, government data showed Thursday, as energy prices continued to climb. The producer price index (PPI) rose by 0.5 percent last month, building on August's 0.7 percent increase, according to data from the Labor Department. This was above the...
  • Major equity markets up, oil dips after surge on Israel-Hamas conflict

    "Equity markets are bouncing back on Tuesday after a risk-averse start to the week, buoyed... by some promising Fed commentary," said analyst Craig Erlam at trading firm OANDA.
  • Markets slump as US jobs data says labor market buoyant

    The focus has been on US Treasury bond yields that have surged to levels not seen in over a decade, suggesting doubts about prospects for growth and corporate earnings. The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury bond has reached the highest level since 2007 -- the beginning of two years...
  • US manufacturing beats expectations, slumps less in September

    Washington, United States - US manufacturing activity contracted in September by the least since late 2022, beating analyst expectations despite weakness in new orders, survey data showed Monday. The Institute for Supply Management's (ISM) manufacturing index came in better than anticipated at 49 percent last month, up from 47.6 percent in...
  • Markets mostly up but US rate outlook feeds uncertainty

    With inflation still sitting well above the central bank's target and the labor market showing few signs of softening, decision-makers have warned that more tightening will be needed to achieve their goal. However, while the US economy remains in reasonable health, there is a growing concern that the Fed could...
  • Stocks fall after Federal Reserve says it may hike interest rates

    Global stocks sank after the US Federal Reserve hinted it could hike interest rates again this year to tame inflation and other central banks warned they were not done either. London stocks bucked that trend, however, after the Bank of England held interest rates steady after 14 hikes.
  • GCC countries hold interest rates following US Fed decision

    Abu Dhabi, UAE -- In the wake of the US Federal Reserve's decision to maintain its interest rates, GCC countries, including the UAE and Qatar, have opted to follow suit. The US Federal Reserve, on Wednesday, voted to keep interest rates at a 22-year peak, suggesting that these rates might...
  • Stocks diverge as oil hits 10-month high of above $95 per barrel

    Brent North Sea crude oil traded above $95 per barrel Tuesday for the first time since November last year, supported by tight supplies and robust demand. "When central banks are starting to see the light at the end of the inflation tunnel, $100-plus oil will be incredibly unwelcome and unhelpful,"...
  • US Fed likely to pause rate hikes despite higher inflation

    The Fed has raised interest rates 11 times over the last 18 months, lifting its key lending rate to a level not seen for 22 years as it tackles inflation still stubbornly above its long-term target of two percent. Goldman Sachs cut their forecast for a recession in the US...
  • Inflation surges in US for second successive month

    Washington, United States - Consumer inflation in the United States picked up in August for a second straight month, according to government data released Wednesday, putting the heat on policymakers as they work to lower prices. The consumer price index (CPI), a key inflation gauge, jumped 3.7 percent from a year...
  • US interest rates in ‘good place,’ for now: Fed officials

    The comments from three regional Fed presidents with a vote on setting interest rates will likely solidify expectations that the US central bank intends to hold rates steady later this month amid growing signs of weaker labor market conditions. The Fed has raised its benchmark lending rate 11 times over...