Category: global

Dollar Firm Ahead of PCE Numbers, Briefly Pokes Head Above 145 Yen

SINGAPORE/LONDON—The yen briefly weakened past the closely watched 145 per dollar level on Friday although traders’ fears of intervention by Japanese authorities kept it in check, while the dollar was also strong more broadly ahead of U.S. inflation data. Barring unexpected interventions, the day’s main event for FX markets is the U.S. personal consumption expenditure…


Oil Heads for 4th Straight Quarterly Decline

LONDON—Oil prices declined towards $74 a barrel on Friday and were on course for a fourth consecutive quarter of losses amid concerns over sluggish global economic activity and fuel demand. Benchmark Brent crude futures for September delivery were down 5 cents, or 0.1 percent, at $74.46 a barrel by 1120 GMT after earlier rising by…


Stocks Show Resilience to Wall of Rates and Inflation Worries

LONDON—Global shares were steady on Friday as investors scrutinized inflation data from both sides of the Atlantic to cap a rollercoaster quarter for markets that upended bets on interest rates peaking. Oil was poised for its first monthly gain this year, as a big drawdown in U.S. oil stocks outweighed concerns that fuel demand will…


Dollar Holds Near 7-month High Versus Yen on Policy Split; Swedish Crown Record Low

LONDON—The U.S. dollar touched a more than seven-month high against the Japanese yen on Thursday after their respective central banks reaffirmed divergent policy plans, while Sweden’s crown hit a record low after the Riksbank modestly raised its policy rate. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell—speaking on a panel with Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda on…


Oil Steadies After Spiking on US Inventory Fall

LONDON—Oil prices steadied on Thursday, a day after rising sharply on a bigger-than-expected fall in U.S. inventories, as attention shifted back to rising interest rates denting global economic growth. Brent crude futures was up 10 cents, or 0.1 percent, to $74.13 a barrel by 1032 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures rose 11…


Stocks Shrug Off Inflation Angst, Yen Bows to Dollar

LONDON—World shares and the dollar inched higher and gold was at a three-month low on Thursday as traders’ attention continued to swing between the battle to lower inflation and speculation about currency market intervention in China and Japan. Europe’s regional STOXX 600 index barely budged in early trading after what had been its biggest rise…


Oil Prices Gain 2 Percent on Big Decline in US Crude Storage

NEW YORK—Oil prices rose about 2 percent on Wednesday as a bigger-than-expected drop in U.S. crude stockpiles offset worries that further interest rate hikes could slow economic growth and reduce global oil demand. Brent futures were up $1.31, or 1.8 percent, to $73.57 a barrel at 11:15 a.m. EDT (1515 GMT), while U.S. West Texas…


Yen Under Pressure; Aussie Slips as Inflation Slows

SINGAPORE/LONDON—The yen was under pressure against most other major currencies on Wednesday, even as Japanese authorities said they could intervene to prop it up, while the Aussie dollar dropped after data showed inflation eased in May. Market expectations that the Bank of Japan (BOJ) will keep interest rates ultra-low, while other central banks tighten monetary…


European Shares Climb, Yen Stumbles and Euro Shines

LONDON/SYDNEY—European shares climbed on Wednesday as surprisingly upbeat U.S. economic news eased global growth concerns, while the embattled yen hit a 15-year low against the euro and Japan hinted at intervention to prevent further losses. Treasury yields inched higher on the strength of U.S. data, combined with hawkish commentary emerging from Portugal at a gathering…


Dollar Surges to 15-month High Against Russia’s Rouble on Aborted Mutiny

LONDON/SINGAPORE—The U.S. dollar rose to a 15-month high against the rouble on Monday after dramatic weekend events in Russia, which saw an aborted mutiny by armed mercenaries. The dollar index also found some safe-haven support on lingering worries that the protracted monetary tightening cycles from major central banks would further hurt the global economic outlook….