Tag: Brent Crude

  • FTSE 100 Slips to 10,600 as US Strikes on Iran Drive Brent Crude Above $75

    FTSE 100 Slips to 10,600 as US Strikes on Iran Drive Brent Crude Above $75

    The FTSE 100 opened 65.2 points lower at 10,600.86 on Wednesday, as fresh US military strikes on Iran triggered a spike in oil prices. Brent crude futures surged 2.22% to $75.81 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) rose 2.10% to $71.92 a barrel. The escalation followed drone attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.

    Sterling weakened against the dollar, trading at $1.3355, down from $1.3376 at Tuesday’s London close. Against the euro, the pound slipped to €1.1693 from €1.1704.

    Gainers & Losers

    Energy stocks led the upside: BP gained 1.80% to £483.10, Shell added 0.71% to £3,032.50, and Centrica rose 0.68% to £170.65. Lion Finance Group advanced 1.65% to £11,730, while Burberry Group edged up 0.63% to £1,112. Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust climbed 0.27% to £1,469.50.

    On the downside, Games Workshop Group fell 2.40% to £20,300, and Spirax Group dropped 1.84% to £6,390. Rio Tinto declined 1.54% to £6,720, while AstraZeneca slipped 1.04% to £14,214. London Stock Exchange Group lost 1.02% to £8,942, and Coca-Cola Europacific Partners eased 1.12% to £7,980.

    Jet2 Gains £400 Million Boost from Rising Fuel Prices

    Jet2 reported a £400 million balance sheet boost from rising jet fuel prices, defying travel disruption from the Middle East conflict. The AIM-listed package holiday provider said the additional £388 million in income stemmed from favorable fair value movements in jet fuel derivatives as market pricing increased amid escalating regional tensions. Jet2 has already sold 19.9 million seats for this summer, a 7% increase year-on-year.

    ABF Completes £75 Million Hovis Takeover

    Associated British Foods has completed its £75 million acquisition of Hovis, merging the bakery with its own Allied Bakeries division. The combined entity will operate as Hovis Bakeries starting today. ABF said the deal will generate substantial production and distribution savings, though it expects an initial earnings hit this year. CEO George Weston commented: “The transaction will support the wider UK economy, including by securing high-quality jobs.” ABF shares opened flat at £1,966.

    Vistry Warns of First-Half Loss

    Vistry Group warned it expects to report a first-half loss after its new CEO accelerated debt-reduction and stock-cutting measures. The housebuilder forecast a pre-tax loss of around £30 million for the six months to June 30, reflecting a £50 million hit from heavier discounts on slower-selling homes, asset sales, and landbank reductions. Excluding these measures, the company would have posted about £20 million in pre-tax profit — a sharp decline from the £260 million-plus recorded in each of the past two years.

    Global Market Overview

    In the US, semiconductor stocks led a sell-off, with the Nasdaq falling 1.2%, the S&P 500 down 0.5%, and the Dow Jones slipping 0.3%.

    Asian markets were mixed on Wednesday. Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 dropped 2.11% to 66,819.05, while China’s Shanghai Composite lost 0.49%. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng rose 2.96%, and Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 slipped 0.21%. In India, the Nifty 50 fell 0.74% and the Sensex declined 0.76%.

    This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Always conduct your own research before making investment decisions.

  • MCX Gold Slips 0.63% to Rs 1,45,990 as Brent Crude Rises; Fed Minutes in Focus

    MCX Gold Slips 0.63% to Rs 1,45,990 as Brent Crude Rises; Fed Minutes in Focus

    Gold prices edged lower on the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) on July 7, as investors turned cautious ahead of the release of the US Federal Reserve’s minutes from its June policy meeting. The August gold futures contract declined 0.63% to settle at Rs 1,45,990 per 10 grams, while September silver futures dropped 1.23% to Rs 2,33,201.

    In the energy market, Brent crude futures gained 0.60% to $72.42 a barrel, and US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude rose 0.51% to $68.90 a barrel. The rise in crude prices added to inflationary concerns, which weighed on bullion demand.

    According to the CME FedWatch Tool, market expectations for a September rate hike by the Federal Reserve have eased slightly to 56%, down from 60% previously. The upcoming Fed minutes are expected to provide further clarity on the central bank’s monetary policy trajectory.

    Domestic Gold Prices

    In the domestic spot market, 24K gold fell by Rs 136 to Rs 1,45,260 per 10 grams, while 22K gold declined by Rs 125 to Rs 1,33,150. Regional variations were observed: Mumbai and Kolkata quoted gold at Rs 1,45,260, Delhi at Rs 1,45,410, and Chennai at Rs 1,47,920.

    US Gold Prices

    Internationally, gold prices eased on Tuesday, trading below a two-week high. Spot gold slipped 0.6% to $4,138.32 per ounce, while US gold futures for August delivery fell 0.4% to $4,149.90. Among other precious metals, spot silver declined 1% to $61.48 per ounce, platinum eased 0.1% to $1,629.46, and palladium rose 0.4% to $1,272.85.

    Key Levels to Watch

    Nicholas Frappell, global head of institutional markets at ABC Refinery, noted that gold price action reflects a continuation of last week’s pattern, with the market forming a support base while awaiting direction from the Fed minutes.

    Internationally, gold has support at $4,135 and $4,100 per troy ounce, with resistance at $4,194 and $4,220. Silver support stands at $61.20 and $59.80, with resistance at $63.40 and $64.20. On MCX, gold support is at Rs 1,46,100 and Rs 1,45,500, while resistance is at Rs 1,47,400 and Rs 1,48,200. Silver support on MCX is at Rs 2,33,300 and Rs 2,30,000, with resistance at Rs 2,38,800 and Rs 2,41,000.

    Market participants remain focused on the Fed’s policy outlook, which will likely dictate the near-term direction for gold and other commodities.

  • MCX Gold Slips 0.63% to Rs. 1,45,990 as Brent Crude Rises; All Eyes on Fed Minutes

    MCX Gold Slips 0.63% to Rs. 1,45,990 as Brent Crude Rises; All Eyes on Fed Minutes

    Gold futures on the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) traded lower on Tuesday, July 7, as investors awaited the release of the US Federal Reserve’s June policy meeting minutes for further clues on the central bank’s monetary policy trajectory. The August gold contract declined by 0.63% to settle at Rs. 1,45,990 per 10 grams.

    In the precious metals complex, September silver futures also witnessed a decline, falling 1.23% to Rs. 2,33,201 per kilogram. Meanwhile, in the energy market, Brent crude futures edged up 0.60% to $72.42 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude advanced 0.51% to $68.90 a barrel.

    According to the CME FedWatch Tool, market participants now see a 56% probability of a rate hike at the Fed’s September meeting, down from the previous week’s reading of 60%.

    Domestic Gold Prices

    In the local physical market, 24-karat gold fell by Rs. 136 to Rs. 1,45,260 per 10 grams, while 22-karat gold declined by Rs. 125 to Rs. 1,33,150. Regional variations were observed: Mumbai and Kolkata quoted 24K gold at Rs. 1,45,260, Delhi at Rs. 1,45,410, and Chennai at Rs. 1,47,920.

    US Gold Prices

    US gold prices eased on Tuesday, trading below a two-week high, as investors adopted a cautious stance ahead of the Fed minutes. Spot gold fell 0.6% to $4,138.32 per ounce, and US gold futures for August delivery dipped 0.4% to $4,149.90.

    Among other precious metals, spot silver slipped 1% to $61.48 per ounce, platinum eased 0.1% to $1,629.46, while palladium posted a modest gain of 0.4% to $1,272.85.

    Key Levels to Watch

    “Gold price action looks like a continuation of last week’s basing, forming a support level. The market is clearly waiting for direction from the Fed minutes to get a better sense of the Fed’s thinking on short-term interest rate policy,” said Nicholas Frappell, global head of institutional markets at ABC Refinery.

    Internationally, gold has support at $4,135 and $4,100 per troy ounce, with resistance at $4,194 and $4,220. Silver support stands at $61.20 and $59.80, while resistance is seen at $63.40 and $64.20. On MCX, gold support is at Rs. 1,46,100 and Rs. 1,45,500, resistance at Rs. 1,47,400 and Rs. 1,48,200. For silver MCX, support is at Rs. 2,33,300 and Rs. 2,30,000, with resistance at Rs. 2,38,800 and Rs. 2,41,000.

    Investors remain focused on the Fed minutes release scheduled later this week, which could provide clearer signals on the timing and pace of potential rate adjustments.

  • FTSE 100 Opens Higher at 10,679.5 as Shell Surges and Oil Prices Recover

    FTSE 100 Opens Higher at 10,679.5 as Shell Surges and Oil Prices Recover

    The FTSE 100 opened 28 points higher at 10,679.5 on Tuesday, buoyed by strength in energy stocks and positive domestic house price data. NATO leaders gathered in Ankara for a two-day summit, while Brent crude futures rose 1.33% to $72.95 a barrel and US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) gained 1.33% to $69.46.

    Sterling strengthened against both the dollar and the euro, trading at $1.3384 and €1.1707 respectively.

    Gainers and Losers

    Shell led the upside, rising 2.76% to £2,993, followed by Burberry Group (+2.24%), Unilever (+2.21%), Rentokil Initial (+2.05%), London Stock Exchange Group (+1.90%), and RELX (+1.88%). On the downside, Rio Tinto fell 2.02%, Antofagasta slipped 2.28%, Anglo American dropped 2.22%, Fresnillo declined 2.21%, Endeavour Mining lost 1.52%, and Diploma eased 0.78%.

    Shell Expects Up to $6 Billion Cash Boost

    Energy giant Shell is set to reverse a heavy $11.2 billion cash drain from the first quarter, expecting a cash inflow of between $1 billion and $6 billion in Q2. The turnaround follows a sharp swing in energy markets, driven by the US-Iran war which pushed Brent crude above $110 a barrel and caused major shipping disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. Shell’s commodity trading division performed “significantly higher” than in Q1, while its refining margin surged to around $20 per barrel, up from $17, prompting the firm to run its refineries at virtually full capacity.

    Keller Upgrades Profit Forecast

    Engineering firm Keller upgraded its profit and revenue outlook after a surge in demand for data centres. The company said revenue and operating profit would be “materially ahead” of market estimates of £3.2 billion and £223 million respectively. CEO James Wroath attributed the strength to North American operations, which account for about 60% of group revenue, supported by increased activity in infrastructure and data centres.

    UK House Prices Recover

    House prices in the UK rose for the first time in four months in June. The Lloyds House Price Index posted a 0.2% monthly gain, taking the average property price to £299,330 from £298,812 in May. Annual growth edged up to 0.6% from 0.5%. Northern Ireland led with 7.4% annual growth, while London fell 1.1% year-on-year to £534,831. “Mortgage rates have eased from their recent highs, offering some encouragement to those considering a move,” said Amanda Bryden, Head of Mortgages at Lloyds.

    Global Market Overview

    In the US, the Nasdaq led gains with a 1.15% increase, the Dow Jones closed above 53,000 for the first time at 53,055 (+0.3%), and the S&P 500 added 0.7%. In Asia, Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 2.2%, China’s Shanghai Composite dropped 1.26%, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng declined 0.67%, and Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 slipped 0.31%. India’s Nifty 50 and Sensex rose 0.17% and 0.13% respectively.

    Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Always conduct your own research before making any financial decisions.

  • FTSE 100 Opens Higher on Ukraine Diplomacy, Brent Crude Drops; Sky-ITV Deal and EasyJet Takeover Move Markets

    FTSE 100 Opens Higher on Ukraine Diplomacy, Brent Crude Drops; Sky-ITV Deal and EasyJet Takeover Move Markets

    The FTSE 100 opened 40 points higher at 10,720 on Monday, buoyed by diplomatic developments over Ukraine and a drop in Brent crude prices. The index gained as investors weighed positive geopolitical signals alongside a busy UK corporate calendar featuring a major broadcasting merger and a budget airline takeover.

    Market Open and Key Drivers

    Brent crude futures fell 0.46% to $71.79 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) rose 0.36% to $68.44. The decline in oil prices helped ease inflation concerns, supporting equity markets. On the diplomatic front, US President Donald Trump held separate calls with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky ahead of this week’s NATO summit in Ankara. The Kremlin said the discussions covered efforts to resolve the conflict in Ukraine as well as issues in Iran and the wider Middle East. Meanwhile, Ukraine rejected Russia’s claim that Moscow had captured the strategic eastern city of Kostyantynivka.

    The pound stood at $1.3343 early Monday, down from $1.3351 on Friday. Against the euro, sterling eased to €1.1666 from €1.1672.

    Gainers and Losers

    Top gainers:

    • BAE Systems: +2.55% to £2,032
    • Aberdeen Group: +2.40% to £264.60
    • RELX: +2.36% to £2,389
    • Experian: +2.08% to £2,699
    • Babcock International Group: +1.97% to £1,059.50
    • St. James’s Place: +1.96% to £1,328.50

    Top losers:

    • Halma: -1.30% to £3,962
    • Diploma: -0.97% to £7,130
    • Spirax Group: -0.96% to £6,710
    • Fresnillo: -0.72% to £2,901
    • DCC: -0.58% to £6,055
    • Games Workshop: -0.28% to £21,080

    Sky Acquires ITV Broadcasting Business

    Sky confirmed plans to acquire ITV’s broadcasting business for £1.6 billion. The deal includes £1.2 billion in cash upfront and another £200 million in cash payable in 2028. As part of the agreement, Sky will also transfer ownership of its production company Love Productions—the creator of The Great British Bake Off—to ITV. The acquisition comes as Comcast, Sky’s owner, works to spin off its media businesses, including Sky, into the separately listed NBCUniversal.

    EasyJet Agrees £5.2 Billion Takeover

    EasyJet has agreed to a £5.2 billion takeover offer from US investment firm Castlelake at £6.90 per share. Chris Beauchamp, chief market analyst at IG, commented: “Castlelake’s pursuit of easyJet is ending the way we knew it would, the board having satisfied honour by getting the bidders to boost their original offer. While a decent premium to the lacklustre trading of recent years, it still represents a deep discount to the share price of the late 2010s, a sign of how in need easyJet is for someone to take the controls and plot a more successful flightpath.” EasyJet shares rose nearly 10% to £612.20, a four-year high.

    CBI Survey Shows Financial Services Decline

    Rising oil prices fueled concerns about inflation and interest rates, leading to a sharp slump in financial services activity in the second quarter. Profitability fell heavily to -65% in June from +38% in March, and sentiment deteriorated from +31% in March to -34% in June. Louise Hellem, CBI Chief Economist, said: “The political transition underway must not slow delivery of the government’s Financial Services Growth and Competitiveness Strategy at a time when activity has deteriorated, and firms are facing a more uncertain outlook.”

    Global Market Overview

    US markets were closed on Friday for the Independence Day holiday. In Asia on Monday, Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 0.2%, China’s Shanghai Composite dropped 0.3%, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng rose 0.8%, and Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 slipped 0.2%. In India, the Nifty 50 and Sensex both gained 0.66% and 0.70%, respectively.

  • MCX Gold and Silver Hold Steady as Fed Rate-Hike Bets Ease and Dollar Strengthens

    MCX Gold and Silver Hold Steady as Fed Rate-Hike Bets Ease and Dollar Strengthens

    Gold and silver prices on the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) remained largely unchanged on July 6, 2026, as a softer-than-expected US jobs report tempered expectations of further interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve. However, a stronger US dollar capped gains for the precious metals.

    Domestic Prices

    August gold futures on MCX edged down by 0.02% to Rs. 1,47,351 per 10 grams, while September silver futures slipped 0.19% to Rs. 2,36,966 per kilogram. In the spot market, 24K gold fell by Rs. 11 to Rs. 1,46,620 per 10 grams, and 22K gold declined by Rs. 10 to Rs. 1,34,400. Regional prices varied slightly, with Mumbai and Kolkata quoting Rs. 1,46,620, Delhi at Rs. 1,46,770, and Chennai at Rs. 1,49,450.

    US Gold and Silver Markets

    Internationally, spot gold held steady near a two-week high at $4,174.66 per ounce, supported by a weaker dollar after last week’s job data. US gold futures for August delivery rose 1.5% to $4,186.70 per ounce. Meanwhile, spot silver fell 0.6% to $62.03 per ounce, pulling back from a June 23 high. Platinum declined 0.1% to $1,636.60 per ounce, and palladium lost 0.2% to $1,271.75 per ounce.

    Brent crude futures fell 0.41% to $71.41 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) dropped 0.28% to $68.50 a barrel.

    Market Outlook and Key Levels

    According to the CME FedWatch Tool, traders now see a 55% chance of a rate hike in September, down from 60% previously. “Gold has regained some poise as markets dial back rate-hike expectations. While this provides relief on the yield front, the dollar’s strength continues to act as a ceiling,” said Tim Waterer, chief market analyst at KCM Trade.

    Manoj Kumar Jain of Prithvifinmart Commodity Research recommended buying gold on dips around Rs. 1,46,000–Rs. 1,45,000 with a stop loss below Rs. 1,43,850 for targets of Rs. 1,48,000 and Rs. 1,49,100. For silver, he suggested buying on dips around Rs. 2,34,400–Rs. 2,31,000 with a stop loss below Rs. 2,27,000 for targets of Rs. 2,41,000 and Rs. 2,44,000.

    Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Analytics Insight does not provide financial guidance on cryptocurrencies or stocks. Readers should conduct their own research (DYOR) before making any investment decisions.

  • MCX Gold Climbs 1.47% to Rs 1,47,900 as US Jobs Data Eases Rate Hike Fears; Silver and Brent Also Gain

    MCX Gold Climbs 1.47% to Rs 1,47,900 as US Jobs Data Eases Rate Hike Fears; Silver and Brent Also Gain

    Gold prices rallied on the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) on July 3, buoyed by softer-than-expected US jobs data that lowered expectations for further Federal Reserve interest rate hikes. August gold futures surged 1.47% to Rs 1,47,900 per 10 grams, while September silver futures advanced 1.85% to Rs 2,37,630. In the energy market, Brent crude futures rose 0.61% to $72.34 a barrel, and US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) gained 0.47% to $69.01.

    According to the CME FedWatch Tool, traders now see a 54% probability of a rate hike in September, down from 66% previously. The shift in sentiment followed a lackluster US labor market report, which dampened hawkish Fed expectations and boosted demand for safe-haven assets like gold.

    Domestic Gold Prices

    In the Indian market, 24K gold increased by Rs 322 to Rs 1,47,000 per 10 grams, while 22K gold rose by Rs 295 to Rs 1,34,750. Regional variations were minimal: Mumbai and Kolkata quoted Rs 1,47,000, Delhi Rs 1,47,150, and Chennai Rs 1,49,500.

    US Gold Prices

    Internationally, spot gold climbed 1.4% to $4,179.94 per ounce, and US gold futures for August delivery gained 1.6% to $4,193.20. Spot silver rose 2.3% to $62.43 per ounce, platinum added 2.7% to $1,660.05, and palladium increased 1.3% to $1,284.40.

    Key Levels to Watch

    Kelvin Wong, senior market analyst at OANDA, noted that the market is pricing in fewer Fed rate hikes for the remainder of this year and early next year, driven by the weak US jobs data. However, he cautioned that rate hike expectations have not been completely erased, and gold could still face downside pressure, potentially testing the $3,500/oz level.

    On the international front, gold has support at $4,084 and $4,040 per troy ounce, with resistance at $4,180 and $4,240. Silver support stands at $59.40 and $58, while resistance is at $63 and $64.40. On MCX, gold support is at Rs 1,44,400 and Rs 1,43,350, with resistance at Rs 1,47,100 and Rs 1,48,800. Silver support on MCX is at Rs 2,33,000 and Rs 2,26,600, with resistance at Rs 2,37,700 and Rs 2,41,000.

  • FTSE 100 Edges Up 23.57 Points as Weak US Jobs Data Calms Fed Rate Hike Bets

    FTSE 100 Edges Up 23.57 Points as Weak US Jobs Data Calms Fed Rate Hike Bets

    The FTSE 100 index opened 23.57 points higher at 10,693 on Friday, buoyed by softer-than-expected US employment data that eased expectations of further Federal Reserve interest rate hikes. The index later settled at 10,676.44, reflecting a cautious but positive start to the trading session.

    Brent crude futures rose 0.61% to $72.34 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) gained 0.47% to $69.01 a barrel, supported by the weaker dollar and renewed risk appetite.

    Gainers and Losers

    On the upside, Fresnillo led the advance with a 2.54% rise to £2,952, followed by SSE which gained 2.44% to £2,520. Metlen Energy & Metals added 1.77% to €42.60, and Weir Group rose 1.72% to £2,486. Anglo American climbed 1.47% to £3,796, while Aberdeen Group increased 1.42% to £257.20.

    Among the decliners, Whitbread fell 0.96% to £2,376, Games Workshop dropped 0.75% to £21,320, and Next slipped 0.55% to £14,585. Coca-Cola HBC declined 0.49% to £5,115, AstraZeneca eased 0.29% to £14,496, and London Stock Exchange Group edged down 0.26% to £8,586.

    Craneware Shares Plunge 20%

    Healthcare software company Craneware saw its shares tumble 20% in early trading after issuing a full-year trading update that warned financial performance would be “below market expectations.” The company said pricing revenue would be between $205 million and $208 million for the year, impacted by a “deferral of a small number of significant enterprise contracts,” which it now expects to close in the next financial year.

    “Naturally, we are disappointed not to have delivered the growth that we expected in full-year 2026. While the short-term complexity in the pharmacy market has impacted the year, the long-term opportunity remains intact,” said Craneware CEO Keith Neilson.

    Harbour Energy Stake Sale

    Investment firm EIG sold its entire 3.5% stake in London-listed oil and gas company Harbour Energy for £112 million. The transaction was executed via an accelerated bookbuild coordinated by Barclays, with Potomac, an investment vehicle controlled by EIG, offloading the shares.

    US Jobs Data Weakens

    The US economy added just 57,000 nonfarm jobs in June, roughly half the 113,000 forecast, with April and May figures revised lower. The unemployment rate dipped to 4.2%, driven by a fall in labor force participation rather than genuine job creation. Wage growth was in line with expectations, further reducing pressure on the Fed to raise rates.

    Global Market Overview

    In the US, stocks ended mixed ahead of the Independence Day weekend. The Dow Jones added 1% to close at a fresh record high, while the Nasdaq fell 0.8% as a semiconductor sell-off offset gains. The S&P 500 slipped 0.1%.

    In Asia, South Korea’s Kospi surged 5.76% to 8,088.34, Japan’s Nikkei 225 advanced 1.47% to 69,744.07, and Taiwan’s TAIEX gained 0.08%. India’s Nifty 50 and Sensex rose 0.71% and 0.56%, respectively.

  • MCX Gold Dips to Rs 1,44,124 as Brent Crude Declines Over 1% – Key Support Levels in Focus

    MCX Gold Dips to Rs 1,44,124 as Brent Crude Declines Over 1% – Key Support Levels in Focus

    Gold traded lower on the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) on July 2 amid slightly positive global trends. August gold futures slipped 0.21% to Rs 1,44,124 per 10 grams, while September silver futures edged up 0.54% to Rs 2,231,630. Meanwhile, Brent crude futures fell 1.02% to $70.84 a barrel, and US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) declined 1.09% to $67.83 a barrel.

    According to the CME FedWatch Tool, traders now see a 64% probability of a rate hike by the US Federal Reserve in September, keeping pressure on precious metals.

    Domestic Gold Prices

    In the domestic market, 24K gold rose by Rs 377 to Rs 1,44,550 per 10 grams, while 22K gold advanced by Rs 345 to Rs 1,32,500. City-wise prices: Mumbai and Kolkata both quoted Rs 1,44,550, Delhi at Rs 1,44,700, and Chennai at Rs 1,46,180.

    US Gold Prices

    US gold prices rose on Thursday, supported by softer-than-expected jobs data and lower oil prices. Spot gold climbed 0.7% to $4,057.92 per ounce. US gold futures for August delivery inched 0.3% lower to $4,070.10. Spot silver rose 1.6% to $60.06 per ounce, platinum gained 2% to $1,607.67, and palladium added 1.4% to $1,227.13.

    Key Levels to Watch

    “The market’s cautious about being short down here because you’re seeing a couple of probes to the downside, which are quite rapidly being rejected,” said Nicholas Frappell, global head of institutional markets at ABC Refinery. “ADP data came in a little bit lower than the forecast, so that probably explains gold’s rally as some people think that the data will be reflected in non-farm payrolls.”

    Internationally, gold has support at $4,040 and $3,994, while resistance is at $4,122 and $4,164 per troy ounce. Silver has support at $58.80 and $57.40, with resistance at $61.60 and $63.20 per troy ounce.

    On MCX, gold has support at Rs 1,43,100 and Rs 1,42,000, and resistance at Rs 1,45,500 and Rs 1,46,650. Silver has support at Rs 2,26,600 and Rs 2,22,500, with resistance at Rs 2,34,400 and Rs 2,38,000.

    Also read: Bitcoin and Gold Face Unusual Decline as Investors Face New Market Pressures

  • FTSE 100 Edges Higher as Brent Crude Drops; Bailey Rules Out Rate Cut, Currys and Halma Post Gains

    FTSE 100 Edges Higher as Brent Crude Drops; Bailey Rules Out Rate Cut, Currys and Halma Post Gains

    The FTSE 100 traded 24.96 points higher near 10,503 on July 2, buoyed by dovish commentary from central bankers at the Sintra forum, which offset pressure from declining oil prices linked to progress in US-Iran talks. Brent crude futures fell 0.78% to $71.01 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) declined 0.74% to $68.07 a barrel.

    Gainers & Losers

    On the upside, Compass Group rose 2.47% to $32.82, Tesco advanced 2.29% to £469.80, and AstraZeneca gained 1.70% to £14,090. Babcock International Group moved up 1.65% to £1,017.50, Sainsbury’s added 1.63% to £336, and GSK climbed 1.53% to £1,959.50.

    On the downside, RELX declined 2.20% to £2,308, Spirax Group slipped 1.62% to £6,675, and Computacenter fell 1.27% to £4,358. Next moved lower by 1.23% to £14,515, Diploma eased 0.84% to £7,125, and Rio Tinto edged down 0.69% to £7,048.

    Andrew Bailey Says Interest Rate Cut Off the Table

    Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey stated that an interest rate cut is “off the table at the moment,” the clearest signal yet that borrowing costs are likely to stay elevated. “There was an expectation that we would cut rates this year,” he said. “That was off the table in March, and it’s off the table at the moment.” Bailey backed the Monetary Policy Committee’s decision to hold rates at 3.75% in June.

    Currys Revenue Rises

    Tech retailer Currys reported a 3% uptick in UK and Ireland revenue, reaching £5.4 billion, after outperforming the market through increased AI technology sales and the launch of new gaming devices. In the Nordics, revenue increased 12%. Profit before tax climbed 29% to £153 million, which included £34 million in restructuring costs. The group’s omnichannel sales strategy contributed 33% of UK sales. The board declared a final dividend of £2.25, bringing the full-year dividend to £3, and initiated a £50 million share buyback programme.

    Halma Unveils £55 Million Deals

    Halma announced nearly £55 million worth of acquisitions this morning, buying two firms to strengthen its position in specialist health markets. The tech group purchased Dutch digital platform itemedical for £20 million to expand its hospital workflow management offering, and Swedish firm Naslund Medical for £34 million. CEO Marc Ronchetti said the firms operate in areas with “long-term growth drivers and provide a strong platform for continued innovation and international expansion.”

    Global Market View

    In the US, Wall Street closed lower: the Nasdaq fell 0.7%, the S&P 500 declined 0.2%, and the Dow Jones lost 14 points (0.03%). In Asia, South Korea’s Kospi fell 7.89% to 7,648.09, Japan’s Nikkei 225 dropped 2.47% to 68,733.15, and Taiwan’s TAIEX dipped 0.58%. India’s Nifty 50 and Sensex both rose 0.57% and 0.62%, respectively.