U.S. natural gas futures tested new highs with colder-than-usual weather over much of the country seen lasting through January, and prospects for greater production losses adding upside.
A fresh wave of U.S. sanctions against Russiaβs oil industry threatened to disrupt global supplies, sending crude prices to their highest in more than four months.
The dollar hit fresh highs against several currencies and U.S. 10-year borrowing costs increased in tandem, continuing their rise since strong jobs data dampened prospects for Fed rate cuts.
Ten-year Treasury yields rose to their highest level since November 2023, and Generali Investments said about one third of the the nearly 40bps rise since the election was due to the upward revision of the Fed funds rate path and the rest to a higher term premium.
Foreign-exchange regulators reiterated their pledge to defend the yuan, as the Chinese currency comes under renewed pressure amid prospects of U.S. trade tariffs.
Global oil prices were on track to settle at their highest level since August, boosted by the prospect of new sanctions reducing Russian crude exports.
The euro fell to its lowest level in more than two years and could fall further in the short term, amid the threat of tariffs and the likelihood of the ECB cutting rates while the Fed holds, Bank of America analysts said.
Gold futures were trading lower on lower expectations of Fed rate cuts, and StoneX said near-term near-term forecasts looked more bearish as rising yields make government debt more appealing than the yellow metal.