Asia FX weakens, dollar firms as markets rethink rate cuts
Most Asian currencies weakened on Wednesday, while the dollar firmed as comments from Federal Reserve officials saw markets rethink expectations for U.S. interest rate cuts. The Japanese yen remained an underperformer among its peers, weakening against the dollar even as government officials kept up their warnings of more potential intervention in currency markets.…
US stock futures muted as rate cut rally cools, more Fed speak awaited
U.S. stock index futures tread water in evening deals on Monday as some Federal Reserve officials said interest rates were likely to remain unchanged in the near-term, with focus turning to more upcoming Fed speakers this week. Wall Street marked three straight days of gains as some less hawkish Fed comments and softer-than-expected…
Oil prices rise as Israel-Hamas ceasefire hopes dim
Oil prices rose in Asian trade on Monday after clocking their worst weekly decline in seven months, amid growing signs that the latest ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas had yielded little progress. Further gains in oil were limited by the prospect of weakening demand and less tight supplies this year. The two…
US stock futures rise as Powell pushes back against rate hike
U.S. stock index futures rose in evening deals on Wednesday after a whipsaw session on Wall Street as Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell warned that interest rates will remain high for longer, but dismissed the prospect of a rate hike. Powell’s comments offered some relief to markets, which had fallen sharply in recent…
Fed meeting, Amazon results, struggling US consumers – what’s moving markets
The U.S. Federal Reserve concludes its latest policy-setting meeting later Wednesday, while Amazon’s first-quarter results largely impressed. Crude prices have been hit by a large build in U.S. inventories, while Wall Street looks set to start the new month on a negative note. 1. Powell in focus as Fed meeting concludes The Federal…
US stock futures flat as tech rally cools, Fed meeting looms
U.S. stock index futures moved little in evening deals on Monday as a rally in the technology sector appeared to be running out of steam amid dwindling hopes for interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve. Focus was now on a Fed meeting later in the week for more cues on policy, after…
Oil prices slide on US rate jitters, strong dollar
Oil prices fell in Asian trade on Monday, reversing course from last week’s gains as fears of higher-for-longer U.S. interest rates and a stronger dollar weighed on crude markets. Crude prices were sitting on some gains from last week as markets retained some risk premium as the Israel-Hamas war raged on, while bets…
Japan concerned about weak yen’s negative effects, Finance Minister says
Japan is concerned about negative effects of the weak yen, Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki said on Friday, in a fresh warning against speculators as the currency has continued to slide to lows last seen more than three decades ago. “The weak yen has both positive and negative impacts (on the economy),” Suzuki told…
Oil prices creep lower amid mixed US inventories, easing risk premium
Oil prices fell slightly in Asian trade on Thursday as traders steadily priced out a risk premium from crude amid easing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, while mixed U.S. inventory data also provided middling cues. Brent oil futures expiring in June fell 0.2% to $87.88 a barrel, while West Texas Intermediate crude…
Asian stocks rise as tech rallies before key earnings
Most Asian stocks rose on Wednesday on an extended rebound in the technology sector as investors awaited key earnings from some of the biggest companies in the world. Tech stocks also benefited from bargain hunting after clocking steep losses so far in April, following underwhelming earnings from major chipmakers and increased fears of…
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