2 weeks ago
Oil Rallies, US Data Dents Chances of Fed Rate Hike
On a Friday in August, something happened with money all around the world.
The price of oil, which is used to make gasoline, went up because people were worried about tense talks between the United States and Iran.
When countries argue, people worry there may not be enough oil, so it costs more.
At the same time, the prices of company shares went down in America and Europe.
There was news that people in America were spending less in stores than everyone expected.
That made people think the Federal Reserve, America's central bank, may not raise interest rates next month.
Lower spending can mean the economy is slowing down, so the American dollar became worth a little less.
People who feel unsure often buy gold, and its price went up.
The Japanese yen also grew stronger because of reports that the Bank of Japan might raise its rates in September.
So one Friday showed how oil, stocks, and money can all move together when countries and big banks make changes.
U.S. and European shares finished lower on Friday, with the S&P 500 down 0.17% to 7,785.76 points and European stocks snapping a four-week winning streak.
Oil prices rose more than $1 a barrel, with Brent settling at $88.52, as faltering U.S.-Iran talks left prices poised for sizeable weekly gains.
A surprise drop in U.S. retail sales weakened the dollar and reduced expectations of a Federal Reserve rate hike at next month's meeting.
U.S. consumer sentiment deteriorated in early August amid the rising cost of living linked to the Middle East conflict.
The yen strengthened to 159.33 per dollar after a Reuters report that the Bank of Japan could raise rates as soon as September.
- Who
- U.S. and European investors, the Federal Reserve, the Bank of Japan, and markets watching U.S.-Iran tensions
- What
- Global stock indexes fell while oil and gold prices rose after weak U.S. retail sales data lowered expectations of a Fed rate hike
- Where
- Global financial markets, with trading centered in New York and London
- When
- Friday, August 14
- Why
- Tense U.S.-Iran talks and disappointing U.S. economic data shifted market expectations
Key facts
- Brent crude
- $88.52 per barrel, up 1.67%
- U.S. crude futures
- $82.40 per barrel, up 1.42%
- S&P 500
- 7,785.76 points, down 0.17%
- Nasdaq
- 26,729.16 points, down 0.28%
- Dow Jones Industrial Average
- 53,732.41 points, down 0.20%
- Dollar index
- 99.65, down 0.28%
- Spot gold
- $4,374.27 per ounce, up 0.53%
- U.S. 10-year Treasury yield
- 4.688%, up 4.72 basis points
Quotes
Thomas Martin
Senior portfolio manager at Globalt Investments, Atlanta
“"For now, markets appear willing to tolerate a significant amount of uncertainty without demanding higher risk premiums. However, this equilibrium is unlikely to be permanent."”
livemint.com
“"A lot of the drivers in the market right now are around various parts of AI."”
livemint.com
Kyle Rodda
Strategist at Capital.com
“"Currently, the geopolitical uncertainty remains the only major macro roadblock to a market experiencing strong tailwinds from earnings and the monetary policy outlook."”
livemint.com









