News

Gold Swings as US Inflation Readings Fall Short of Forecasts

(Bloomberg) -- The price of gold fluctuated between gains and losses after US inflation data came in lower then expected, potentially supporting the case for rate cuts by the Federal Reserve.Most Read from BloombergBiden Invests $100 Million to Fuel Housing ConstructionIn DNC, Chicago’s Embattled Transit System Faces a High-Profile TestHow Chicago’s Gigantic Merchandise Mart Is Still Thriving as Office SpaceGottheimer Calls for Rail Riders to Be Reimbursed for DelaysJohannesburg Mayor Quits Amid

US wholesale inflation cooled in July in sign that price pressures are continuing to ease

Wholesale price increases in the United States eased in July, suggesting that inflation pressures are further cooling as the Federal Reserve moves closer to cutting interest rates, likely beginning next month. The Labor Department reported Tuesday that its producer price index — which tracks inflation before it reaches consumers — rose 0.1% from June to July. The July wholesale figures reflect a broad and steady slowdown in price increases, which peaked at a four-decade high in mid-2022 but are now moving toward the Fed's 2% inflation target.

Hedge Fund Mount Lucas Sells Treasuries as Fed Bets Gone Too Far

(Bloomberg) -- Investors have little room to take advantage of the rally in US Treasuries now, with the Federal Reserve unlikely to cut rates as aggressively as the market expects, according to Mount Lucas Management LP. Most Read from BloombergBiden Invests $100 Million to Fuel Housing ConstructionHow Chicago’s Gigantic Merchandise Mart Is Still Thriving as Office SpaceGottheimer Calls for Rail Riders to Be Reimbursed for DelaysJohannesburg Mayor Quits Amid Infighting, Financial WoesLos Angeles

Oil Slips After Five-Day Rally as OPEC Trims Demand Forecasts

(Bloomberg) -- Oil slipped after a five-day advance, with a likely escalation in the Middle East conflict offset by signs of weakening global demand growth.Most Read from BloombergHow a Tiny Midwestern Town Became a Mecca for Modern ArchitectureHow Chicago’s Gigantic Merchandise Mart Is Still Thriving as Office SpaceLos Angeles Sees Remote Work Helping ‘No Car’ 2028 Olympic GamesGottheimer Calls for Rail Riders to Be Reimbursed for DelaysIn DNC, Chicago’s Embattled Transit System Faces a High-Pr

OPEC cuts oil demand growth forecast, highlighting dilemma over Oct hike

LONDON (Reuters) -OPEC on Monday cut its forecast for global oil demand growth in 2024 citing softer expectations for China, a reduction that highlights the dilemma faced by the wider OPEC+ group in raising production from October. This is the first cut in OPEC's 2024 forecast since it was made in July 2023, and comes after mounting signs that demand in China has lagged expectations due to slumping diesel consumption and as a crisis in the property sector hampers the economy. In a monthly report on Monday, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries said world oil demand will rise by 2.11 million barrels per day in 2024, down from growth of 2.25 million bpd expected last month.

Morning Bid: Markets pray inflation stays well behaved

Off-radar for much of the past week's market turbulence, U.S. inflation updates this week will reveal just how much latitude the Federal Reserve has to meet pumped-up expectations around its first interest rate cut next month. With the S&P500 ending last week basically unchanged despite days of outsize swings, the VIX volatility gauge has returned close to long-term means around 20.

Americans' refusal to keep paying higher prices may be dealing a final blow to US inflation spike

The great inflation spike of the past three years is nearly spent — and economists credit American consumers for helping slay it. “While inflation is down, prices are still high, and I think consumers have gotten to the point where they’re just not accepting it,” Tom Barkin, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, said last week at a conference of business economists. A more price-sensitive consumer helps explain why inflation has appeared to be steadily falling toward the Federal Reserve's 2% target, ending a period of painfully high prices that strained many people's budgets and darkened their outlooks on the economy.