US interest rate

Gold prices continue to fall

London - Arab Today

Gold prices hit a four-week low on Wednesday as the dollar gathered strength on the prospect of a US interest rate hike. Investors are awaiting February non-farm payrolls data on Friday as a barometer of the US economy after Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen said last week that the central bank was poised to lift rates provided jobs and inflationRead more

Gold slips to 3-week low

London - Arab Today

Gold hit a three-week low on Tuesday as expectations for a US interest rate hike this month weighed, but moves were muted as markets awaited US data this week and more pointers on the Trump administration’s economic plans. The precious metal has fallen in five out of the last six sessions as expectations for the Federal Reserve to push aheadRead more

Tokyo stocks up at break as yen tumbles

Tokyo - Arab Today

Tokyo stocks rose on Monday morning, led by exporters as the dollar jumped against the yen ahead of an expected US interest rate hike this week. Investors are widely anticipating that the US Federal Reserve will raise its benchmark interest rate for only the second time in a decade. With Japanese borrowing costs still low, including some in negative territory,Read more

Politics set to trump data as US rate hike looks certain

Brussels - Arab Today

Clues on future US policy under Donald Trump rather than economic data will likely dominate minds and markets in the week ahead given a US interest rate hike in December is now a near-certainty. Investors are making plans with an implied market probability of a December rate hike in the mid-90s percent, but they are much less sure about whatRead more

Impact on yuan from expected US rate hike ‘will be limited’

Beijing - Arab Today

A potential US interest rate hike in December will have limited impact on the yuan, said the People’s Bank of China chief economist Ma Jun. Speaking to a small group of foreign reporters at a luncheon, Ma said the yuan was under depreciation pressure ahead of the expected rate hike, but may recover when the Federal Reserve actually raises rates. Ma saidRead more

China’s bullion demand likely to stay steady at 900-1000 tons

Singapore - Arab Today

Demand for gold from top consumer China will remain strong at around 900-1,000 tons next year, near 2015 levels, although a weaker appetite for jewelry and slowing economy could curb purchases, an official of the World Gold Council said. Continued firm demand from China should help underpin global benchmark gold prices that have come off two-year highs as expectations ofRead more

Key Tadawul index drops 1.7%

Jeddah - Arab Today

Gulf stock markets sank on Monday as oil prices and global equities dropped because of the possibility of a US interest rate hike, while Dubai builder Drake & Scull dropped amid concern over its financial situation. Brent crude dropped below $50 a barrel on talk the US Federal Reserve might signal at a conference this week in Jackson Hole, Wyoming,Read more

Markets gear up as Gulf bond crush looms

Dubai - Arab Today

Bond issuers in the Gulf will have to make potentially costly decisions on timing in coming weeks as the cash-strapped region gears up for one of its heaviest-ever periods of international issuance — possibly over $25 billion by the end of October. Saudi Arabia, its finances strained by low oil prices, is expected to make its market debut in September. Read more