* Iran tells world to get ready for oil at $200 a barrel. * IEA agrees to release record 400 million barrels of oil. * US January PCE data due on Friday. By Noel John. Gold prices fell on Thursday, weighed down by a firmer U.S. dollar and waning hopes for near-term U.S. interest-rate cuts as higher energy prices stoked inflation concerns.
Goldman Sachs (GS) has pushed back its forecast for the U.S. Federal Reserve's rate cuts, and now expects quarter-point reductions in September and December, citing rising inflation risks linked to the Middle East conflict. The U.S. brokerage had previously projected the easing cycle to begin in June, followed by another reduction in September.
* Crude oil volatility at highest levels since pandemic. * Investor confidence also dented by U.S. tariff moves. By Gregor Stuart Hunter. The safe-haven U.S. dollar hovered close to its strongest levels this year on Thursday as climbing oil prices threatened to spur inflation and force central banks globally to adopt more hawkish policy stances.
Alpha Pro Tech Ltd (APT): * ALPHA PRO TECH Q4 BASIC EPS USD 0.07. * ALPHA PRO TECH Q4 EPS USD 0.07. * ALPHA PRO TECH Q4 NET INCOME USD 700 THOUSAND. * Alpha Pro Tech Ltd (APT): UNCERTAINTY IN HOUSING STARTS, TARIFFS, INTEREST RATES & ECONOMY MAY NEGATIVELY AFFECT CO'S BUILDING SUPPLY SEGMENT IN 2026 Source text: Further company coverage:
Fitch: * FITCH RATINGS: WORLD GROWTH TO CONTINUE AT STEADY PACE IF OIL PRICE SHOCK SHORT-LIVED. * FITCH: EXPECT US CONSUMPTION TO SLOW IN 2026 AS LABOUR MARKET WEAKNESS WEIGHS ON HOUSEHOLD INCOME. * FITCH: COOLING LABOUR MARKET & SLOWING WAGE GROWTH IS LIKELY TO PERSUADE US FEDERAL RESERVE TO CUT RATES TWICE IN 2026.
U.S. consumer prices rose 2.4% from a year ago in February, data showed, matching economists' expectations. The Consumer Price Index rose 0.3% last month from January, also matching the expectations of economists polled by Reuters, after rising 0.2% the previous month. MARKET REACTION:??. STOCKS: U.S. stocks were lower. BONDS: U.S. Treasury yields rose after the inflation report.
Brazil's retail sales volumes exceeded expectations and returned to positive territory in January, data from government statistics agency IBGE showed on Wednesday, despite high interest rates. * Sales were up 0.4% in January from the previous month, while economists in a Reuters poll expected a 0.1% decline. * January's result followed a 0.4% drop in December.
U.S. stock index futures inched lower on Wednesday as investors assessed an in-line February consumer prices reading and the Federal Reserve's outlook for monetary policy. A Labor Department report showed that the Consumer Price Index rose 0.3% on a monthly basis in February, in line with a 0.3% increase forecast by economists polled by Reuters.
U.S. stock index futures inched lower on Wednesday as investors assessed an in-line February consumer prices reading and the Federal Reserve's outlook for monetary policy. A Labor Department report showed that the Consumer Price Index rose 0.3% on a monthly basis in February, in line with a 0.3% increase forecast by economists polled by Reuters.
* Consumer price index increases 0.3% in February. * Rents, gasoline and food account for increase in inflation. * CPI excluding food and energy rises 0.2% By Lucia Mutikani.
The oil price spike brought on by the war in Iran has, for now, short-circuited a monetary easing push among emerging market central banks from Poland to Turkey as policymakers reckon with a sharp uptick in inflation expectations and rising risk aversion.
* Oil prices climb over 5% * US, Israel trade airstrikes with Iran. * US dollar, 10-year Treasury yields rise. * US Consumer Price Index data due later in the day. By Ishaan Arora. Gold was largely steady on Wednesday, as higher oil prices fueled worries of a spike in inflation and tempered hopes of rate cuts, while safe-haven demand amid the ongoing U.S.-Israeli war on Iran limited losses.
* Higher energy price push up inflation, slow growth. * Markets see more than 1 rate hike this year. * Policymakers promise not to let inflation get entrenched. * No rate change coming at March 19 meeting.
* Oil prices climb over 5% * US, Israel trade airstrikes with Iran. * US dollar, 10-year Treasury yields rise. * US Consumer Price Index data due later in the day. By Ishaan Arora. Gold steadied on Wednesday, as higher oil prices reignited inflation worries and tempered hopes of rate cuts, while safe-haven demand amid the ongoing U.S.-Israeli war on Iran limited losses.
* Short-dated bonds under pressure again, Britain and Italy hit. * Markets fully price July ECB hike. * Brent near $92, up over 25% from before war. * Investors eye strategic oil releases. By Harry Robertson and Dhara Ranasinghe.
Big European investors are pushing back against sharp bond market swings that have upended expectations for central bank rate cuts, arguing they have gone too far even if soaring energy prices raise inflation risks.
Big European investors are pushing back against sharp bond market swings that have upended expectations for central bank rate cuts, arguing they have gone too far even if soaring energy prices raise inflation risks.
* Middle East war rages: US, Israel intensify airstrikes on Iran. * IEA proposes largest oil release from strategic reserves-report. * US February CPI data due later in the day. By Noel John.
* Middle East war rages: US, Israel intensify airstrikes on Iran. * IEA proposes largest oil release from strategic reserves-report. * US February CPI data due later in the day. By Noel John.
* Consumer Price Index forecast increasing 0.3% in February. * CPI estimated to have advanced 2.4% year-on-year. * CPI excluding food and energy likely gained 0.2% * Core CPI estimated to have increased 2.5% year-on-year. By Lucia Mutikani.
* India's Reliance to invest in refinery, buy output. * Deal likely to reduce trade deficit with India. * Fuel prices spike as US, Israel attack Iran. By Erwin Seba and Nicole Jao. President Donald Trump on Tuesday announced the construction of a refinery on the southern U.S. border backed by India's Reliance Industries, operator of the world's biggest refining complex.
Global shares fell and benchmark Treasury yields spiked on Wednesday after data showed U.S. inflation picked up as expected while oil prices resumed their climb as the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran dragged on. Data from the Labor Department showed the consumer price index rose 0.3% in February, in line with forecasts and above January's 0.2% increase.
Atlanta Federal Reserve board Chair Gregory Haile said the search to replace former Atlanta Fed President Raphael Bostic would be national in scope, not limited to the bank's southeastern region, as long as candidates seem willing and capable of engaging with people and businesses across the area. "We want the pool to be wide.
Surging diesel prices are threatening to slow global economic activity as the war in the Middle East pressures supplies of both the industrial fuel and the type of crude oil most suited to produce it, traders and analysts said. Diesel has been in tight supply for years due to disruptions from Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries and Western?sanctions on Moscow's exports.
Atlanta Federal Reserve board Chair Gregory Haile said the search to replace former Atlanta Fed President Raphael Bostic would be national in scope, not limited to the bank's southeastern region, as long as candidates seem willing and capable of engaging with people and businesses across the area. "We want the pool to be wide.
Big European investors are pushing back against sharp bond market swings that have upended expectations for central bank rate cuts, arguing they have gone too far even if surging energy prices raise inflation risks.
Big European investors are pushing back against sharp bond market swings that have upended expectations for central bank rate cuts, arguing they have gone too far even if surging energy prices raise inflation risks.
Allianz Global Investors added to a position favouring longer-dated UK government bonds last week, betting that the Bank of England will still cut rates this year. UK government bonds have been among the worst hit by a global bonds selloff following the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran that has sent yields sharply higher as investors price in the risk of higher inflation and slash rate cut bets.
President Javier Milei aimed to persuade investors in New York on Tuesday that Argentina's economic turnaround can stay on track even as war in Iran spooks markets, saying the central bank will soon be awash with dollars.
U.S. existing home sales unexpectedly increased in February as lower mortgage rates and a moderation in house-price growth pulled buyers back into the market, but still-tight supply could constrain activity during the spring selling season.
* Home sales increase 1.7% to 4.09 million unit rate in February. * Median existing house price rises 0.3% to $398,000 from year ago. * Housing inventory increases 4.9% to 1.29 million units from year ago. By Lucia Mutikani.
Hungary's central bank will provide foreign currency liquidity from its international reserves worth some 60 billion euros in the next months to cover higher foreign currency demand for energy imports, it said in a statement on Tuesday. The bank said the targeted measure was needed to ensure the balance supply and demand in the foreign exchange market.
Greek industrial output rose by 5.3% year-on-year in January, after an upwardly revised 4.0% increase in December, data from statistics service ELSTAT showed on Tuesday. A breakdown of index components showed manufacturing production rose 1.1% from the same month in 2025.
Central banks are clearly watching the Iran war oil shock like hawks. The surge in oil prices, driven by supply disruption from more thana week of war in the Middle East, is already challenging central banks' stretched mandates.
In general the bond market is volatile, and fixed income securities carry interest rate risk. (As interest rates rise, bond prices usually fall, and vice versa. This effect is usually more pronounced for longer-term securities.) Fixed income securities also carry inflation risk and credit and default risks for both issuers and counterparties. Unlike individual bonds, most bond funds do not have a maturity date, so avoiding losses caused by price volatility by holding them until maturity is not possible.
Lower-quality debt securities generally offer higher yields, but also involve greater risk of default or price changes due to potential changes in the credit quality of the issuer. Any fixed income security sold or redeemed prior to maturity may be subject to loss.
Before investing, consider the funds' investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses. Contact Fidelity for a prospectus or, if available, a summary prospectus containing this information. Read it carefully.
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