Market Pulse - Currencies
2017 Bitcoin rally under investigation by DOJ
America's Department of Justice is investigating whether the 2017 rally in the price of Bitcoin was the result of traders driving it up via trading in Tether, a popular and controversial digital token.
Maldives set to ditch 'one-sided' China trade deal
The Maldives is likely to withdraw from a free trade agreement with China and align itself more closely with India and the West under its new government, according to reports on Tuesday.
US considers tighter export controls on latest generation of dual-use technologies
The Trump administration is considering tightening controls on high-technology exports, including those related to artificial intelligence and other so-called 'dual-use' technologies, as the trade war with China intensifies.
FX round-up: Morgan Stanley cautious on cable, says it's time to sell the US dollar
A weak reading on a widely-followed gauge for US housing and doubts around the likelihood of a US central bank rate hike at the end of the year saw the pound register a slight gain at the start of the week, although some analysts continued to exhibit caution in the face of Brexit and its associated risks.
Haydale Graphene Industries soars on Thai anti-counterfeiting agreement
Haydale Graphene Industries’ shares soared on Monday after the company signed an exclusive licence agreement with Thai outfit TKS Siampress Management.
May survives tough day as rebels seek support to knife PM in ballot
UK Prime Minister Theresa May moved on Friday to bolster her precarious position after ministerial resignations over Brexit and the continuing threat of a no confidence vote.
Commodities: Natural gas bounces, Bitcoin continues to drift lower
Commodity prices were resurgent at the end of the week as natural gas futures bounced back from the sharp losses endured during the prior session.
'I think we'll have a deal (with China),' Trump says
Wall Street's main market gauges flickered into life on Friday afternoon in New York, reversing early losses and moving into the green, on the heels of upbeat remarks from the US President regarding the chances of his administration being able to strike a trade deal with Beijing.
ECB's Draghi confident, but argues for patience and persistence
Outgoing European Central Bank President, Mario Draghi, sounded a confident note on the outlook for the euro area economy, describing a recent slowdown as a 'soft patch', but said policymakers needed to be "patient and persistent" in providing monetary stimulus.
S&P reaffirms UK sovereign debt rating at AA, but outlook still negative
Standard&Poor's reiterated its rating on the UK's long-term sovereign debt, despite the risk that the withdrawal agreement that had been reached overnight between Brussels and London might not make it through Parliament, forcing both sides to return to the bargaining table.
Cryptocurrencies drop 12% to hit a one-year low
Cryptocurrencies were adding to their Wednesday plunge with the best-known of them, Bitcoin, down 12. 61% to $5,428.
US should hike foreign investment to curb China influence, says Congress report
A report from a US congressional commission recommends that Washington fund infrastructure in developing nations in order to counter Chinese financing deals.
FX round-up: Trade talk, speculation around possible Brexit deal brake US dollar
A more 'constructive' news-flow on the global trade front and news of a breakthrough in talks on the UK's withdrawal between London and Brussels, kept the Greenback from hitting a fresh 52-week high on Tuesday.
Saudi makes case for 1.0m b/d cut in crude oil output
Riyadh and its allies should cut their combined output of crude oil in order to balance the market, Saudi Arabia believes, but it remains to be seen if other producers will participate in any reductions.
Russian GDP slows more-than-expected in Q3, but economists expect pick-up
Economic growth in Russia slowed over the three months to September, although some economists expected the pace of expansion to pick-up over the following year.
US and China speaking 'at all levels' ahead of G20 meet, says Kudlow
President Trump has initiated direct contact with Chinese President Xi Jinping ahead of the leaders’ meeting at the G20 in Argentina at the end of the month, White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow told CNBC on Tuesday.
Beijing pursues South China Sea agreement to improve trade relations
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang made a commitment on Tuesday to pursue a code of conduct in the territorially disputed South China Sea with its neighbours, after recent tensions with US Navy vessels in the region.
FX round-up: Sterling and euro battered, rouble gets unexpected boost
Sterling reeled against the Greenback at the start of the week as the US dollar spot index jumped to its loftiest level since May 2017.
US Treasury's Mnuchin and China's Liu He talk by phone
Top US and China officials discussed trade issues last Friday, marking just the second public sign of dialogue on the subject in six months.
FX round-up: Sterling and euro battered, rouble gets unexpected boost
Sterling reeled against the Greenback at the start of the week as the US dollar spot index jumped to its loftiest level since May 2017.