Dollar starts new year with a hangover as others find cheer

By Ritu, Capital Sands The dollar started the new year where it left the old one, under pressure as investors wagered U.S. economic out performance could be coming to an end as optimism on trade brightens the outlook for growth globally. Signs of progress in the Sino-U.S. trade dispute undermined the dollar for much of […]

Oil climbs lifted by U.S.-China trade deal hopes OPEC cuts

By Ritu, Capital Sands   Oil prices rose on Thursday, buoyed by a potential breakthrough in the Sino-U.S. trade war and OPEC-led efforts to constrain supply, although trading was quiet as many markets were in holiday mode. Brent crude was up 28 cents, or 0.4%, at $67.48 a barrel by 0651 GMT. West Texas Intermediate […]

5 Things to Watch for in Global Markets in 2020

By Ritu,      Capital Sands   1. No end in sight to the U.S.-China struggle for supremacy The trade war between the U.S. and China, which hobbled the world economy almost single-handedly in 2019 is likely to leave deep marks on 2020 too. The International Monetary Fund estimated in October that the tariffs imposed […]

European shares edge lower ahead of Christmas holiday break

By Ritu, Capital Sands European shares dipped slightly on Monday after nearing a record high in the previous session, as trading thinned ahead of the Christmas and Boxing Day holidays later in the week. The pan-European STOXX 600 index was down 0.1% at 0814 GMT, with the banking sector  leading declines. An improving outlook on […]

Battle lines harden over Trump impeachment trial witnesses

By Ritu, Capital Sands   The White House on Sunday signaled comfort with plans by Senate Republicans to avoid new witnesses in President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial, while a top Democrat seized on a newly released email on the withholding of U.S. aid to Ukraine to press his case for testimony. The Democratic-led House of […]

European stocks grind higher in pre-holiday trading

By Ritu, Capital Sands   European shares edged higher on Thursday, with a pre-holiday lull making for a quiet trading session aside from a handful of corporate updates. The pan-European STOXX 600 rose 0.2% by 0821 GMT, with media, healthcare and utilities sectors leading gains. All eyes will turn to the Bank of England’s monetary policy […]

In historic moment, U.S. House impeaches Donald Trump for abuse of power

By Ritu, Capital Sands.   Donald Trump became the third U.S. president to be impeached on Wednesday, as the House of Representatives formally charged him with abuse of power in a historic step that will inflame partisan tensions across a deeply divided America. The Democratic-led House passed the abuse of power article of impeachment on […]

Stocks Fluctuate Treasuries Edge Up; Pound Slips: Markets Wrap

By Ritu, Capital Sands   European stocks edged higher on Wednesday while U.S. equity futures fluctuated and Asian shares were mixed. Bonds also nudged upward while the pound extended its decline. The Stoxx Europe 600 Index traded slightly higher as most national benchmarks in the region were in the green. Luxury TV and stereo maker Bang […]

Trump ratings highest ever over economics despite impeachment proceedings

By Ritu, Capital Sands   Strong economic figures have helped US President Donald Trump to his highest approval ratings ever, despite impeachment, a new poll found Monday. Although the Quinnipiac University survey said Trump has a high of 43 per cent for his job approval, that is still far below nearly all previous presidents in modern times […]

Oil hovers near three-month high on trade optimism, supply cuts

By Ritu, Capital Sands Oil prices trickled a fraction lower on Tuesday but remained near a three-month high as investors kept the faith with hopes that a fully fledged U.S.-China trade deal is in the pipeline and set to stoke oil demand in the world’s biggest economies. Brent crude oil futures had slipped by three […]