Rate Uncertainty Weighs on Gold Trapped Below $4,800/oz

Posted on March 19, 2026 by Olumide Adesina

Gold prices increased slightly in Asian trade on Thursday but stayed well below key levels due to uncertainty over interest rates and the inflationary effects of the U.S.

The producer inflation data and the Federal Reserve’s prediction of higher US inflation put pressure on gold prices, pushing them well below the desired $5,000 per ounce level and to a low of more than a month. Gold futures fell 1.3 percent to $4.8K/oz.

Gold broke below a $5,000–$5,200/oz trading range that had been in place for almost a month after the Federal Reserve kept interest rates unchanged on Wednesday, indicating uncertainty about the inflationary impact of the Iran war.

Stronger-than-expected producer price index inflation data for February preceded the Fed’s decision. The Fed’s remarks and the PPI report increased market speculation that the central bank would not have any room to lower interest rates in the near future.

The yellow metal has had difficulty since the start of the Iran war. This week, gold underperformed while oil prices kept rising due to the lack of signs of a de-escalation in the US-Israel war on Iran.

Iran retaliated bitterly after Israel attacked the South Pars gas field, the largest gas field in the world, on Wednesday, seemingly starting a new phase of the conflict. Tehran continued to attack targets in Israel and launched attacks on several significant energy facilities throughout the Middle East.

Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz caused global oil and gas prices to soar, while military and shipping disruptions caused energy production throughout the Middle East to slow down.

Citi Warns: Brent Could Spike to $110–$120 per Barrel in Near Term

Posted on March 19, 2026 by Olumide Adesina

Citi said in a note on Wednesday that it anticipates a sharp increase in oil prices as conflict-related supply disruptions worsen.

Analysts predict that Brent will reach between $110 and $120 per barrel in the coming days. The bank’s head of global commodities, Maximilian Layton, wrote in a note that the bank’s updated base case, which has a 50% probability, is predicated on 4–6 weeks of disrupted flows, or up to 11–16 million barrels per day.

According to Citi, “Brent prices will rally as the conflict continues over the coming days, to $110-120/bbl,” meaning the market will continue to rise until a political or strategic intervention is necessary.

“That might be the ‘price or market event which drives the U.S to cease its military operation, the point at which inventories are released more forcefully by the IEA and OECD, or the point at which international powers are prompted to ‘forcefully re-open the Strait,” Citi emphasized the risks of escalation.

Citi emphasized that there are still substantial risks of escalation. Brent could “reach $150/bbl” in its bull case, which has a 30% probability, and increase to as much as $200/bbl “all-in” if Iran attacks more extensive energy infrastructure or if the Strait of Hormuz is essentially closed through June.

According to the bank’s bear case, which has a mere 20% chance, prices will drop to $65–70 by year’s end—but only if a swift agreement between the US and Iran reopens the Strait.

Citi is “very bullish on aluminum,” citing low inventories and the possibility of Middle Eastern smelters reducing production, which could eliminate up to 6% of the world’s supply.

Forex Signals March 19: Alibaba, Accenture, FedEx, Firefly, USAR Earnings Preview

Posted on March 19, 2026March 19, 2026 by Skerdian Meta

Investors are closely watching earnings from Alibaba, Accenture, FedEx, USA Rare Earth and Firefly today, with results expected to provide key signals on global demand and corporate spending trends.
Continue reading “Forex Signals March 19: Alibaba, Accenture, FedEx, Firefly, USAR Earnings Preview” →

Crude Taps $100! Oil Prices Fail to Break Higher as Strikes on Gulf Energy Facilities Escalate

Posted on March 19, 2026March 19, 2026 by Skerdian Meta

As supply uncertainty and geopolitical tensions continue to dominate the world’s energy markets, oil prices continue to fluctuate around $100.
Continue reading “Crude Taps $100! Oil Prices Fail to Break Higher as Strikes on Gulf Energy Facilities Escalate” →

Forex Signals March 18: Micron Earnings Preview, Fed Rate Decision Takes Center Stage Today

Posted on March 18, 2026March 18, 2026 by Skerdian Meta

The markets showed unusual consistency as equities and oil increased simultaneously as investors turned their focus to Micron Technology’s earnings and the upcoming Federal Reserve decision. Continue reading “Forex Signals March 18: Micron Earnings Preview, Fed Rate Decision Takes Center Stage Today” →

Emirates’ Half-Empty Reality: Inbound Jets Sparse as Locals Depart Dubai

Posted on March 18, 2026 by Olumide Adesina

Emirates is running flights to Dubai that are sometimes almost empty as passengers avoid the Persian Gulf, underscoring the difficulties facing the biggest international airline in rebuilding its network during a protracted conflict.

Flights from destinations in the US and continental Europe have been most severely affected, with planes returning from Prague or Budapest only roughly 5% to 10% occupied.

At least one flight last week departed with fewer than 35 passengers on an Airbus SE jumbo A380 jet that typically seats close to 500, and several aircraft returning from New York flew with only a fifth of the tickets sold.

The documents state that half-empty cabins were used on departures from Chicago. Flights departing Dubai exhibit a very different pattern because there are fewer aircraft available. After that, Emirates returns the aircraft to its hub with minimal occupancy.

Emirates said that as long as it can do so safely, it will keep restoring its network at a steady pace. In response to inquiries, an official stated that current inbound occupancy is unsurprisingly low given the circumstances. The business stated that it doesn’t comment on the occupancy of particular routes.

According to Flightradar24 data, the airline operated roughly 500 flights out of Dubai International on a typical day before the war, with roughly half of those flights being departures.

That number had dropped to 71 takeoffs by March 16. Even though there isn’t much demand for passengers, the business loads cargo onto its planes, which generates additional income and an influx of perishable goods.

Operating Boeing Co. is a priority for Emirates. 777 aircraft due to their superior cargo capacity compared to the Airbus A380. The flights are one of the few ways to import supplies because the Strait of Hormuz is practically closed. The operations of the state-owned carrier have been severely disrupted.

UK Brent, US WTI Crude Oil Prices Ease as Trump Eyes Iraq and Venezuela Supply Boost

Posted on March 17, 2026March 18, 2026 by Skerdian Meta

Global oil markets became unstable as a result of sharp price increases brought on by geopolitical worries. However, as there were signs of potential supply relief, prices started to drop. Continue reading “UK Brent, US WTI Crude Oil Prices Ease as Trump Eyes Iraq and Venezuela Supply Boost” →

Forex Signals March 17: Elbit, Tencent, Lululemon, and Oklo Earnings

Posted on March 17, 2026March 18, 2026 by Skerdian Meta

As Elbit Systems Ltd., Tencent Music Entertainment Group, Lululemon Athletica, and Oklo Inc. disclose their most recent financial performance in the military, streaming, retail, and nuclear energy sectors, investors are keeping a close eye on their earnings results.
Continue reading “Forex Signals March 17: Elbit, Tencent, Lululemon, and Oklo Earnings” →

Brent Tops $105 as Iran Targets UAE Gas Field, Threatens Broader Retaliation

Posted on March 17, 2026 by Olumide Adesina

Oil prices increased as Iran increased its attacks on the Persian Gulf’s energy infrastructure. Brent moved closer to $105 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate was at about $98 after falling 2.8 percent on Monday.

Iranian drones and missiles targeted an Iraqi oil field and a major Emirati port, and operations at the Shah field in the United Arab Emirates were halted.

The strikes have further damaged the prospects for the world’s energy supplies as the conflict moves into its third week.

Customers, particularly in Asia, are beginning to feel the effects of the near-total shutdown of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Oil prices dropped for the first time in four sessions on Monday as the US got ready to release the first tranche of emergency crude reserves.

Oil prices have increased by more than 40% since the war began. According to Rebecca Babin, a senior energy trader at CIBC, “there is a push and a pull constantly dragging the market higher and lower each day, based on the sheer amount of headlines.”

US President Donald Trump threatened to extend strikes on Kharg Island to target oil infrastructure after last weekend sparing energy assets on the major Iranian export hub.

Additionally, he claimed that Washington is “hammering” Tehran’s ability to endanger commercial shipping via the Strait of Hormuz and reaffirmed his calls for assistance from other countries to ensure passage.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told CNBC that Washington is permitting Iran to keep using the waterway to ship crude. Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates both further decreased their oil production in the Middle East. The UAE and Saudi Arabia are competing to increase exports by using alternate routes that avoid Hormuz.

According to JPMorgan Chase and Co., transit through the strait is expected to become “increasingly conditional,” with Iran allowing passage for certain vessels based on their political affiliation. Natasha Kaneva and other analysts stated in a note.

Gold Holds Steady Near $5K as Iran Conflict Fuels Inflation

Posted on March 16, 2026 by Olumide Adesina

Gold prices stabilized after dropping to important levels in Asian trade on Monday, with attention firmly focused on further developments in the US-Israel war with Iran.

Gold was also affected by caution ahead of this week’s Federal Reserve meeting, as markets were concerned about the central bank’s possible hawkish stance on sticky inflation.

Spot gold was stable at $5,016.84 an ounce, while gold futures dropped 0.8 percent to $5,5020.76/oz. Earlier in the session, spot prices dropped below $5,000/oz.

There were a few indications that the Iranian conflict would get better after the U.S. and Tehran retaliated severely after Israel attacked a vital export terminal over the weekend. Although they did reduce some gains on Monday following the U.S., oil prices remained well over $100 per barrel.

According to President Donald Trump, negotiations are underway to form a coalition to reopen a vital shipping route that Iran has blocked. Tehran has consistently denied Trump’s claims that the Iran War is almost over.

Gold has generally underperformed because concerns about higher and longer interest rates brought on by the inflationary shocks from the Iran war have largely overshadowed the metal as a haven. In a note, ANZ analysts stated, “Gold has struggled as it is being overshadowed by a stronger USD, rising yields, and uncertainty surrounding Federal Reserve policy.” They also noted that traders’ liquidations to satisfy margin calls had contributed to bullion’s price decline.

However, ANZ analysts pointed out that gold’s fundamental role as a refuge from geopolitical unpredictability was valid. , Gold has increased by roughly 16% this year.

As the dollar strengthened on Monday, broader metal prices were mixed. Spot platinum increased 1.8 percent to $2,064.22/oz, while spot silver decreased 0.3 percent to $80.2605/oz. This week’s main focus is the US Federal Reserve meeting, where it is generally anticipated that interest rates will remain unchanged. B was the main driver of bets on a hold.