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What's important in U.S. and Global Markets Today By Mike Dolan, Editor at Large, Finance and Markets Bond storm calmed down overnight, but equity markets were still bruised. A tense calm is hanging over the markets as U.S. Treasury prepares for a sale of 20-year bonds later on Wednesday. The minutes of the Federal Reserve split meeting held in July could also help to resolve some of this uncertainty about the central bank's view on persistently high inflation. Below, I'll go into more detail. Check out my mid-week article, in which I discuss diversification away from AI, and much more....

On Wednesday, global bond yields were at their highest level in decades as fears of a swelling sovereign debt drove borrowing costs up and roiled stock markets around the world. U.S. stock futures and European stock futures wiggled around 0.2% lower in the Asia session. Japan's Nikkei dropped 3.3% and South Korea's KOSPI fell nearly 6% as Wall Street's selling of'semiconductor' stocks spilled into Asia. The yield of the U.S. Long Bond has remained stable at around 5.27%, after reaching its highest level in almost 20 years on February 2, 5.3371%. German and French debt were also stable following a...

The oil price rose for the fourth consecutive day on Wednesday as investors considered conflicting messages from Washington and Tehran about whether the Strait of Hormuz was open to ships. Brent crude futures rose 69 cents or 0.8% to $91.71 at 0415 GMT. U.S. West Texas intermediate crude futures gained 76 cents or 0.9% to $85.70 per barrel. As hopes for peace between Iran and the U.S. faded, both contracts closed Tuesday at their highest level in over three weeks. Donald Trump, the U.S. president, said that no talks are taking place with Iran. He also insisted that the Strait...

On Wednesday, global bond yields were at their highest level in decades as fears of a swelling sovereign debt drove borrowing costs up and roiled stock markets around the world. On Tuesday, the yield on the U.S.?bond reached its highest level in almost 20 years, at 5.3371%. It then settled around 5.28% on Wednesday in?Asia. The yields on the 10-year and 30-year 'bonds have reached their highest levels since 2011. The yield on the?French?30-year bond has risen by nearly 50 basis points from June's end, and Japan's formerly zero 10-year bond is now approaching 3%. Investors are worried that policymakers...

The oil prices rose in the early trading on Wednesday. They have risen for a?fourth straight day due to supply uncertainty. Investors weighed contradictory messages from Washington and Tehran on whether or not the 'Strait of Hormuz' is open to ships. Brent crude futures climbed?26 Cents, or 0.29% to $91.28 at 0004 GMT. U.S. West Texas intermediate crude futures rose 37 Cents to $85.31 a bar. The two contracts reached their highest levels since July 24, as the hopes for peace between Iran and the U.S. faded. Donald Trump, the U.S. president, said that no talks are taking place with...

The United States' long-term borrowing costs to Japan and Germany reached their highest level in decades on Tuesday as new inflation concerns added to the nagging concern about the fiscal pressures that are facing some of the largest economies around the world. The 30-year bond yields of the United States - the world's most important government bond market - hit their highest level since 2007. Oil prices -- which are up 50% this year -- have risen back above $90 per barrel, causing inflation fears as U.S. - Iran peace hopes fade. In Japan, fears of inflation and the expectation...

The sell-off of U.S. government bond prices accelerated?on? Tuesday. This sent the 30-year Treasury yield to a two-decade?high as inflation fears and stock pressure were fueled by?fears?of an escalation?in the Middle East conflict. Brent crude oil prices rose for a third day in a row, after Washington and Tehran's latest signals crushed hopes that the Middle East conflict would be resolved soon. The market's response shows that tensions remain high in the Middle East, and a new escalation could have a ripple effect on oil, bonds, currencies, and stocks. The Federal Reserve's recent rate hikes were tempered by a recent...

The bond yields rose on Tuesday to their highest level in decades. Oil prices also increased for the third day. Stocks in Asia gave up gains made in early trades as a U.S. - Iran truce ended and Tehran warned of a "fully offensive military posture". The 30-year Treasury bond yield rose 1.1 basis points intraday to 5.321%. This is the highest it has been in nearly 20 years. The 10-year counterpart rose 0.4 basis points to 4.724%. "In the past, when the 10-year Treasury bond rate rose above 4,65 percent, the Trump administration would follow up with some comforting...

On Monday, global shares rose and the dollar dropped to its lowest level in a year after a series of'soft' U.S. data, which included an unexpected decline?in retail sales, led markets to reduce their bets on an impending rate hike by the Federal Reserve. According to CME Group's FedWatch, a hike in the next month has been priced at 30%. This is down from 50% a few weeks ago. STOXX, a benchmark index of 600 large European companies, rose 0.04% on the back of resource stocks, as gold prices increased. In the US, Nasdaq and S&P futures both gained 0.5%....

Markets reduced bets on an imminent rate hike by the Federal Reserve after a series of soft U.S. data, which included an 'unexpected drop in the retail sales. According to CME Group's FedWatch, a hike in the next month has been priced at 30%. This is down from 50% a week ago. The STOXX benchmark, which measures 600 large European companies, rose by 0.21%. This followed earlier gains of MSCI's broadest Asia-Pacific index outside Japan (which rose 0.5%), while Japan's Nikkei rose by 0.3%. The Hang Seng index rose 1.6% and Chinese blue-chips gained 0.8% ahead of the release of...

Asian shares edged higher on Monday, led largely by Chinese stocks, ahead of important economic data. Investors kept a watchful eye on oil prices, after a large gain last week, amid a deadlock in the Gulf conflict. After a string of weak data, including a surprise drop in retail sales and a lackluster run of economic reports, markets have given up on betting that the Federal Reserve will soon raise interest rates. According to CME Group's FedWatch, a rate hike in the next month has been priced at 30%. This is down from 50% a week ago. The broadest MSCI...

The oil prices remained mostly stable on Monday. They maintained gains made the previous week. Prospects for a lasting U.S. Iran peace deal seem increasingly distant, and there are persistent fears of disruptions to supply in the Strait of Hormuz. Brent crude futures were at $88.55 as of 0128 GMT. U.S. West Texas intermediate crude futures fell 14 cents to $72.26 per barrel. Last week, both contracts rose by?more that 5% following the attacks on tankers of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company?in the Hormuz Strait and on a Saudi Aramco refining facility. The weekend saw the Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas...

Investors are awaiting the minutes of the U.S. The Federal Reserve's meeting in July will provide new clues about its outlook for monetary policy. Spot gold remained unchanged at $4,337.59 an ounce as of 0558 GMT, after dropping nearly 2% Tuesday due to higher Treasury rates, while U.S. Gold Futures fell 0.7% to $4391.20. U.S. yields have backed off their earlier highs after a global bond sale saw long-term borrowing rates in major economies reach the highest levels in decades. Kelvin Wong is a senior analyst at OANDA. He said that the reduced expectations of Federal Reserve interest rates increases...

Gold prices fell on Tuesday due to?higher Treasury rates and oil prices?. Traders were also waiting for the minutes of the U.S. Federal Reserve policy meeting in July for clues about the future interest rate outlook. As of 0624 GMT spot gold fell 0.4%, to $4397.42 an ounce. U.S. futures for delivery in December dropped 0.5%, to $4452.90. The yields on the benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury notes extended gains and raised the opportunity costs of holding non-yielding gold. Prices of oil?increased after Iran announced it would adopt a 'fully offensive' military posture following a breakdown in negotiations to end the...

Gold prices rose on Monday due to a weaker US dollar and the fading expectation of an increase in U.S. Federal Reserve rates. Investors also continued to monitor the geopolitical tensions within Middle East. By 11:56 am EDT (1555 GMT), spot gold had risen 1.2% to $4,426.52 an ounce. U.S. gold futures for delivery in December edged up 1.1% to $4,484.10. Bart Melek is the global head of commodity strategies at TD Securities. He said that gold prices appear to be pricing in a stagflationary climate, with softer unemployment and expectations that Fed will tolerate 'current inflation levels. The US...

Gold prices rose on Monday due to a weaker US dollar and the fading expectation of an increase in U.S. Federal Reserve rates. Investors also continued to watch geopolitical tensions across the Middle East. By 09:25 am EDT (1325 GMT), spot gold had risen 0.28%, to $4387.95 an ounce. ?U.S. Gold futures for delivery in December edged up 0.2% to $4,444.40. Bart Melek is global head of commodity strategies at TD Securities. He said that the gold market seems to be pricing in a stagflationary climate, with softer unemployment and expectations that Fed will 'tolerate current levels of inflation. The...

Gold prices rose on Monday, as a weaker dollar and diminishing expectations of an increase in U.S. Federal Reserve rates next month boosted bullion. Gold spot rose 0.5%, to $4.398.58 an ounce at 1032 GMT. Prices reached a two-month high in the last week. U.S. Gold Futures for December Delivery edged up 0.4% to $4,455.50. Gold is now cheaper for those who hold other currencies than the U.S. dollar index. "Softer 'inflation', employment and consumer data reduce the risk of another hike. This strengthens the case that the Fed may end up cutting rates," said Ole Hansen. He is the...

The law firm Slater and Gordon announced on Monday that it filed a class action against James Hardie Industries in an Australian court to seek compensation for losses suffered by investors due to the company’s earnings forecasts and market disclosures for fiscal 2026. The suit also claims that the conduct of the fiber cement maker artificially inflates its share price. It follows another action that was filed a few months ago, alleging that the company failed not to disclose adverse circumstances in its "North America" business. Slater and Gordon announced that it had begun court proceedings against investors who purchased...

Gold prices rose on Monday due to a weaker dollar and recent economic data which reduced expectations of a U.S. rate hike in the next month. Gold spot rose 0.4%, to $4.391.07 an ounce at 0248 GMT. Prices reached a two-month high in the last week. U.S. Gold Futures for December Delivery?edged up 0.3% to $4,448.10. The U.S. Dollar index fell by 0.1% making metals priced in greenbacks more affordable for other currency holders. Tim Waterer is the chief market analyst for?KCM Trade. He said that gold has taken off and run to start the week. Soft inflation numbers are...

Overnight, Russia launched a series of airstrikes in?Ukraine?, killing two at a steel mill. Kyiv, meanwhile, launched a drone attack against the Moscow region, which killed one person, and destroyed a warehouse that was used by Russia's largest e-commerce retailer. Romania, which borders Ukraine said that an F-18 fighter participating in a NATO air patrol mission shot down a drone during the recent attacks. The NATO spokesperson did not give any details about the origin of this drone that entered the country from Moldova. Russia attacked Ukraine's biggest grain export port near the Romanian frontier on the River Danube last...

Investors were awaiting key U.S. data on inflation that could change policy expectations. This led to a rise in gold prices?on Wednesday. By 0713 GMT, spot gold had gained 0.9%. U.S. Gold Futures for December Delivery rose by 0.5% to $4464.80. Bullion reached a 10-week-high on Tuesday, before hitting technical resistance around the 100-day moving?average of $4,387. It then closed lower for the second time this month. The primary driver of gold prices is the Fed's reduction in rate hikes, according to Kelvin Wong. He is a senior analyst at OANDA. "In terms of the technical position, we began to?see...

Gold edged up on Tuesday, after reaching a?peak? of more than two months earlier. Market participants are awaiting important U.S. Inflation figures that may influence expectations about the Federal Reserve’s policy. Gold spot was up 0.2% to $4,396.87 an ounce by 11:05 am EDT (1505 GMT) after reaching its highest level in the session since June 5, at $4434.84. U.S. Gold Futures rose 0.8% to $4456.10. The market will be looking at this week's data to confirm that inflation is under control, said Peter Grant, senior metals analyst and vice president of Zaner Metals. He added that a moderated annualized...

Aluminum?prices rose to a seven week high on Tuesday, as 'concerns about supply from the Gulf coincided wth Norsk Hydro announcing a reduction in feedstock production?at?its Brazilian facility. Benchmark three-month "aluminum" on the London Metal Exchange rose 1.9% at 0850 GMT to $3,378.50 per metric ton, after reaching $3,382.5 as its highest level since June 22. Aluminum extended its gains for a seventh session in a row after Norsk Hydro announced that its Alunorte facility in Brazil had reduced alumina production to 50% of its capacity due to the reduction of natural gas supply. The plant's annual production capacity is...

The Russian Defence Ministry announced on Tuesday that it had carried out overnight strikes on military-related transport and logistics centres located in Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital. It also said its forces struck a major steel and iron works in Zaporizhzhia which was aiding Ukraine's efforts in Zaporizhzhia. The Ukrainian government said that the 'attacks' had caused the deaths of six people in Zaporizhzhia, in the south-east and 20 injuries in Kyiv. ?Both sides deny deliberately targeting civilians. The Russian Defence Ministry announced that it had struck a sorting facility in Kyiv, which, according to the ministry, was responsible for storing...