EUR/USD
1.16422
0.003%
Gold
4636.57
1.098%
Oil
60.674
-0.283%
USD/JPY
159.297
0.085%
GBP/USD
1.34368
0.115%
GBP/JPY
214.054
0.213%
Real-time News
January 14th - According to a Financial Times report on Wednesday, Coca-Cola has abandoned its plans to sell its Costa coffee chain after private equity firms offered less than expected. The report, citing two sources familiar with the matter, stated that the US beverage giant terminated negotiations with remaining bidders in December, putting the months-long bidding process on hold.January 14th - Gold and silver continued to hit record highs during Asian trading hours due to escalating geopolitical risks. President Trumps statement on Tuesday that aid was imminent to Iranian protesters foreshadowed potential US action against the regime. Two foreign exchange strategists from OCBC Group Research noted in a report that the dramatic developments in Iran highlight the continued geopolitical uncertainty, while the fundamental support for precious metals remains solid.Hong Kong-listed insurance stocks extended their losses in the afternoon, with China Taiping (00966.HK) and Ping An Insurance (02318.HK) falling by more than 3%, while New China Life Insurance (01336.HK) and China Life Insurance (02628.HK) followed suit.HRANA, a US-based human rights organization, reports that the confirmed death toll from the protests in Iran has risen to 2,571.January 14th - Demand for Japans five-year government bond auction on Wednesday was weaker than the 12-month average, with increasing political risks impacting investor willingness to subscribe. The bid-to-cover ratio for this auction was 3.08, lower than the 3.17 of the previous auction in December and also lower than the 12-month average of 3.54. This auction comes amid a wave of bond selling triggered by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichis consideration of a snap election. This market behavior, known as the "Takaichi trade," which previously caused a sharp drop in the yen, has resurfaced. The yield on five-year government bonds has risen to 1.615%, a new high since the maturity was introduced in 2000. Most economists expect the Bank of Japan to wait until June to raise interest rates. However, the continued weakening of the yen may increase pressure on the central bank to act sooner. Former Bank of Japan policy board member Makoto Sakurai believes the central bank may raise rates as early as April. The market is currently fully pricing in the first rate hike this year in July; if the yens weakness continues, there is room for further repricing in the market.
