Category: global

Dollar Seesaws Ahead of Busy Central Bank Week, Euro Higher After Spain CPI

LONDON/SINGAPORE—The dollar languished near an eight-month low on Monday ahead of a slew of central bank meetings this week, while higher Spanish inflation data supported the euro ahead of euro area readings on Wednesday. The U.S. dollar index, which measures the currency against a basket of its peers including the euro, was flat at 101.88,…


Oil Steadies as Rate Hikes Loom, Russian Flows Stay Strong

LONDON—Oil steadied on Monday as looming interest rate hikes by major central banks and signs of strong Russian exports balanced rising Middle East tension over a drone attack in Iran and hopes of higher Chinese demand. Investors expect the Federal Reserve to raise rates by 25 basis points on Wednesday, followed the day after by…


Shares Shaky as Rate-Hike Week Looms

SYDNEY/LONDON—Shares slipped on Monday at the start of an agenda-setting week for markets in which likely interest rate hikes in Europe and the United States, as well as U.S. jobs and wage data, will give markets a fresh update on the battle against inflation. Investors expect the Federal Reserve will raise rates by 25 basis…


Dollar Ticks Up Ahead of Central Bank Meetings Next Week

LONDON—The dollar edged up on Friday to pull away from multi-month lows against the euro and sterling, as investors began to train their sights on a slew of major central bank meetings next week. The U.S. Federal Reserve, European Central Bank, and Bank of England are all due to make rate decisions next week as…


Oil Prices Firm on Upbeat US Economic Data

LONDON—Oil prices rose for a second session on Friday, buoyed by stronger-than-expected U.S. economic growth, strong middle distillate refining margins, and hopes of a rapid recovery in Chinese demand. Brent futures gained $1.15, or 1.3 percent, to $88.62 a barrel by 0930 GMT. U.S. crude also rose by 1.3 percent, gaining $1.01 to $82.02. Both…


Global Shares Edge Higher, Tracking Wall Street Rally

TOKYO—Global shares advanced Friday, tracking a rally on Wall Street following reports suggesting the economy and corporate profits may be doing better than feared. France’s CAC 40 gained 0.2 percent to 7,107.44. Germany’s DAX was unchanged at 15,134.04, while Britain’s FTSE 100 rose nearly 0.2 percent to 7,773.10. The future for the Dow Jones Industrial…


Dollar Skulks at 8-Month Low, Central Bank Meetings in Focus

SINGAPORE/LONDON—The dollar fell to an eight-month low against its peers on Thursday, as a gloomy U.S. corporate earnings season stoked recession fears ahead of a slew of central bank meetings next week The euro squeezed its way to a new nine-month high of $1.09295 and was last just below that level, little changed on the…


Oil Prices Firm on China Demand Optimism

LONDON—Oil prices rose 1 percent on Thursday on expectations that demand will strengthen as top oil importer China reopens its economy and on news U.S. crude inventories have risen less than expected. Brent crude futures rose 78 cents, or 0.9 percent, to $86.90 a barrel by 1046 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures…


Hopes of Slowdown in Rate Hikes Bolster Shares Ahead of US GDP

LONDON—Stocks firmed on Thursday as investors bet that central banks meeting next week will signal a slowdown or even a pause in interest rate hikes for later in the year to make recession less likely and ease pressure on corporate earnings. Oil prices were steady after U.S. crude stocks rose less than expected, while gold…


Gold Slides as Dollar Steadies, Traders Eye US Data

Gold prices slipped on Wednesday from a nine-month peak hit in the previous session as the dollar steadied and investors squared positions ahead of U.S. fourth-quarter economic growth figures. Spot gold was down 0.6 percent to $1,925.02 per ounce at 1152 GMT, after hitting its highest since late April on Tuesday. U.S. gold futures dropped…