Oil prices rose further on Friday, and were set to end the week higher as optimism over an eventual recovery in Chinese demand this year largely offset fears that a global economic slowdown will dent crude markets. Markets are betting on a strong boost to the Chinese economy from the week-long Lunar New Year holiday, …
economic
Weekly Comic: China’s Precarious Reopening
China’s dash for herd immunity from COVID-19 may not be the miracle cure for its economic ills that markets seem to think. Global markets have owed their bright start to the year largely to hopes that the world’s second-largest economy will quickly reap the benefits of dropping the harsh public health restrictions that slowed the …
Chinese Yuan hits 4-Mth High on Reopening cheer, U.S. Payrolls Awaited
The Chinese yuan jumped to a four-month high on Friday as markets bet on a strong economic boost from China reopening its borders this month, while broader Asian currencies were flat as focus turned to key U.S. payrolls data for more cues on the economy. The yuan was among the best performers for the day, …
China Manufacturing PMI Shrinks for 5th Straight Month in Dec – Caixin
Chinese manufacturing activity shrank for a fifth straight month in December, a private survey showed on Tuesday, as the country grappled with an unprecedented spike in COVID-19 cases after it relaxed some restrictions intended to prevent the spread of the virus. The Caixin Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) read 49.0 in December, higher than forecasts …
Asia FX Mixed as Fed Caution offsets Optimism Over Slowing Inflation
Most Asian currencies kept to a tight range on Wednesday in anticipation of an interest rate hike and more cues on monetary policy from the Federal Reserve, although sentiment was somewhat lifted by softer-than-expected U.S. inflation data. Most regional units rose on Tuesday after data showed U.S. consumer price index (CPI) inflation eased more than …
Oil Surges As Speculation Over OPEC Cut Outweighs China concerns
Oil prices jumped on Tuesday as traders bet that recent weakness in the market will invite more supply cuts by the OPEC, while anti-government protests in China and hawkish signals from the Federal Reserve worsened the outlook for demand. Oil marked a volatile start to the week, initially tumbling as much as 3% as Chinese …
Dollar Down as Fed Minutes, U.S. Data Weighs
The U.S. dollar fell across the board on Wednesday, after minutes from the Federal Reserve’s November meeting showed that most policymakers at the central bank agreed it would soon be appropriate to slow the pace of interest rate hikes. The readout of the Nov. 1-2 meeting, at which the Fed raised its key rate by …
Gold steady, Copper Rises Amid Smaller Rate Hike Expectations
Gold prices steadied on Wednesday, while copper extended strong gains as risk-driven assets rallied on expectations that the Federal Reserve will hike interest rates at a slower pace in the near-term, which also trimmed dollar gains. A growing number of Fed officials said in recent weeks that the central bank is likely to raise interest …
Oil Extends Gains on China reopening Hopes, Tightening Supply
Oil prices rose on Monday as markets bet that an eventual scaling back of COVID-19 measures in China will boost the country’s crude demand, while looming curbs on Russian oil shipments also appeared set to tighten supply Crude prices closed last week lower, but rallied sharply on Friday after China said it will loosen some …
Inflation top Worry For G20 Countries -Survey
Runaway inflation, an unfolding debt crisis and cost-of-living problems pose the biggest threats to doing business for G20 countries in the next two years, data from the World Economic Forum showed on Monday. Inflation has surged to levels not seen in several decades, prompting a third of G20 countries to identify rising prices as their …