US dollar and Stocks Hold Steady ahead of Trump-Xi Meeting

Equities

Major US indices ended the session weaker yesterday as investors await the meeting between the United States President Donald Trump and the Chinese President Xi Jinping at the G20 summit. The US stock market was bolstered since the beginning of the week by the optimism of reaching a trade deal between the two biggest economies and the comments of the Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell concerning interest rates. The Dow Jones Industrial Average futures rose 0.2% to 25370, the S&P500 futures added 0.2% to 2743, and the Nasdaq futures ended flat at 6907. A trade deal between China and the United States could spark investors' risk appetite, whereas a failure of reaching a deal could force investors to rush to safety.

USD

The dollar index which measures the greenback against a basket of currencies lost 0.1% to 96.79. The greenback has been under pressure on the growing expectations that the Fed could be slowing down the pace of interest rate hikes. According to the Fed chairman, interest rates are "just below" the neutral rate levels. Also, the minutes of the FOMC November 7-8 meeting revealed that the Fed is adopting a cautious tone. However, almost all policy makers affirmed a rate hike soon. On the other hand, the dollar could benefit in case of an escalation in the trade issue between China and the United States as it will boost the demand for safe-haven currencies. The USDJPY fell 0.2% to 113.48, and the EURUSD added 0.2% to $1.1392.

Metals

Gold prices finished higher for the second consecutive day as the dollar and yields weakened. The gold ounce rose 0.3% to $1224, and the silver ounce settled almost flat at $14.29.

Oil

Oil prices surged on hopes of OPEC supply cut next week. OPEC and Russia will meet on December 6-7 in Vienna to discuss lowering production amid signs of a global economic slowdown. The West Texas Intermediate crude futures climbed 1.9% to $51.23, and the Brent futures gained 1.7% to $59.69. The US energy services firm Baker Hughes will report the US oil rig count later today.

Major Economic Events

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