Browsing: Business

Gold prices soared 26% in 2024, closing at $2,626 per ounce, fueled by U.S. Federal Reserve rate cuts and economic uncertainty, signaling a strong performance for safe-haven assets.

European stocks dropped as bond yields rose, with STOXX 600 down 0.3% amid inflation fears, policy uncertainty, and rate hike concerns as traders await ECB and Federal Reserve decisions.

Japan imported 27.16 million barrels of oil from the UAE in November 2024, representing 38.2 percent of its total imports, highlighting the UAE’s role in Japan’s energy security.

French business confidence has dropped for the third straight month, hitting its lowest level since July as fiscal uncertainty and political instability impact hiring and investment.

Germany’s economic contraction extended into December, marking six straight months of decline as weak manufacturing output offset modest stability in the services sector.

UK retailers face rising costs and insolvencies following budget changes, with calls for urgent support to counter weak sales and economic uncertainty.

Japan approved a record $730 billion budget for fiscal 2025, prioritizing defense and social programs to address security concerns and rising costs from its aging population.

China’s industrial profits fell 4.7 percent in the first eleven months of 2024, according to the National Bureau of Statistics, highlighting ongoing economic challenges.

The US launched a probe into China’s semiconductor industry over alleged anti-competitive practices, raising concerns about trade policies and supply chain vulnerabilities.

Oil prices rose Wednesday after U.S. crude inventories fell, but gains were capped as the Federal Reserve hinted at slower rate cuts. A stronger dollar also tempered optimism.