EUR/USD
1.17995
0.036%
Gold
4806.26
-0.731%
Oil
88.487
-0.685%
USD/JPY
158.976
0.125%
GBP/USD
1.35707
0.035%
GBP/JPY
215.745
0.171%
Real-time News
The Federal Reserve accepted a total of $223 million from six counterparties in its fixed-rate reverse repurchase operations.ECB Governing Council member Eskeriva: We have not seen a significant change in inflation expectations.April 16 (Reuters) – Four sources said European Central Bank policymakers are cautious about raising interest rates as early as this month, as they have not yet seen conclusive evidence that energy-driven inflationary shocks are spreading to broader sectors or becoming entrenched. The sources said a “second wave” of inflation is still possible, and policy tightening remains on the agenda, but concrete evidence is needed before action can be taken. One source said, “Long-term inflation expectations have not risen, domestic inflation is slowing, and rising gasoline prices are squeezing disposable income, which is effectively limiting businesses’ ability to raise prices.” The source added, “I can’t tell you what we’ll do on April 30, but as of now, I haven’t seen any evidence to support a rate hike.” The sources also said the relatively weak labor market limits workers’ room to demand higher wages. Currently, the market estimates only a one-in-five chance of a rate hike in April, but has fully priced in a June hike and expects another rate hike in the fall.According to the Wall Street Journal, the White House and the U.S. military released an audio warning to ships, informing them not to breach the blockade of Iranian ports and coastal areas. In a maritime radio call, a U.S. military officer stated that any vessel attempting to enter or leave Iranian ports would be boarded, intercepted, and detained.On April 16th, sources revealed that the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) is investigating a series of crude oil futures trades with "unusually precise timing" preceding Trumps shift in policy regarding war with Iran. The CFTC is leading the investigation into crude oil futures trading on the CME Group and Intercontinental Exchange platforms and has requested data from both exchanges, including the so-called "Tag 50" identifier used to identify trading entities. On March 23rd, billions of dollars worth of crude oil and stock index futures were traded 15 minutes before Trump announced a postponement of his previously threatened strikes against Iranian energy infrastructure. Trumps subsequent statement caused a plunge in oil prices and a sharp rise in the stock market. A similar situation occurred on April 7th before Trump announced a two-week ceasefire agreement with Iran. Hours before the announcement, futures trading activity increased, and the subsequent news triggered a drop in oil and natural gas prices.
