Consumer Spending Surge Boosts U.S. Retail Sales in September
U.S. retail sales showed a solid increase of 0.4% in September, surpassing economists' expectations of a 0.3% rise. This growth was driven by strong consumer spending in various sectors, including restaurants, clothing stores, and online purchases. The increase in retail sales suggests that the U.S. economy maintained robust growth in the third quarter, supported by solid income growth, ample savings, and strong household balance sheets.
Hong Kong Races to Boost Gold Trading Prowess Amid Regional Rivalry
Hong Kong's Chief Executive John Lee has called for urgent action to strengthen the city's position as a global gold trading center, citing competition from Singapore's recent launch of a 500-tonne gold vault. Lee emphasized the need to build up Hong Kong's gold and commodity trading market from its current "low base" to transform it into a "game-changer" for the economy.
ECB Rate Cut Looms: Markets Seek Clues on Future Policy Path
The European Central Bank is poised to cut interest rates for the third time this year, with markets expecting a 0.25% reduction. While this move is largely anticipated, investors are keen to understand the ECB's future policy direction. The euro has already weakened against the dollar, and the ECB's tone could further influence its trajectory. Simultaneously, global markets are watching other economic indicators, including TSMC's earnings and U.S. retail sales data.
China's Property Sector Stimulus Falls Flat as Markets Seek Stronger Measures
China's government has announced plans to increase loans for unfinished residential projects to 4 trillion yuan ($562 billion) by year-end, but this fell short of market expectations. The measure, part of a broader package to support the struggling property sector, failed to impress investors, leading to a decline in property stocks. While officials expressed confidence in stabilizing the real estate market, analysts view the policies as incremental and insufficient to address the sector's deep-rooted issues.
LBMA Conference: Gold Price Set to Soar to $2,941 in Coming Year
At the LBMA conference in Miami, delegates projected a 10.5% increase in gold prices over the next 12 months, alongside substantial gains for silver, platinum, and palladium. These predictions come amid a strong year for precious metals, with gold and silver already up 29% and 32% respectively in 2024, driven by factors such as Federal Reserve rate cuts and geopolitical tensions.