Gold Approaches $3,950 Mark Amid Oil Spike, Fed-Hike Fears Rekindled

Gold climbed above $4,000 on Friday, though the metal was still headed for its largest weekly decline in six weeks. Spot bullion increased 0.8% to $4,002.39 by 0624 GMT. U.S. August futures were up 0.4% at $4,006.10. Bullion trading in London remained open.

17 July 2026

Westpac (ASX:WBC) rises 1% in Sydney, as analysts say rate-driven margin increase remains limited

Westpac Banking Corporation rose 1.05% over the past week. However, according to Westpac economists, their base case of two rate hikes might recover just half of the recent drop in its core margin.

17 July 2026

ASX News·ASX:WBC·Interest Rates·Stock Market

HSBC’s Hong Kong rate cushion strengthens case for $46 billion income target

HSBC Holdings Plc has gained a modest Hong Kong rate cushion ahead of its Aug. 4 interim results. One-month HIBOR fixed at 2.82821% on Thursday, 32.8 basis points above the level its finance chief described in May as the bank’s preferred range. A basis point is one-hundredth of a percentage point.

16 July 2026

Interest Rates·LSE:HSBA

U.S. Treasury Yields Stay High as Cooler PPI Fails to Dent Real Rates

U.S. Treasury yields eased only slightly on Wednesday after a surprise fall in producer prices, with the 10-year note around 4.58%, the two-year near 4.16% and the 30-year close to 5.10% in early New York dealing. The harder signal for investors is that long borrowing costs are being held up by real yields, the return after inflation, rather than by a fresh jump in market inflation expectations.

15 July 2026

Interest Rates

Oil Surge Pushes 2-Year Treasury Yield to 17-Month Peak, Curve Keeps Steady

The two-year U.S. Treasury yield hit a peak not seen since February 2025 on Monday, as oil jumped again. Traders bet the Fed could hike rates one more time. Brent crude surged 4.5% to $79.43 when new U.S.-Iran attacks raised alarms over shipping risk at the Strait of Hormuz.

13 July 2026

Interest Rates·NYSE:C·NYSE:JEF

Dow Jones moves as oil climbs and rate hike bets rise

The Dow is taking its hit as traders question if blue-chip stocks were set for too easy a run on inflation. U.S.-Iran tensions and higher oil prices kicked things off, but it’s the domino effect that matters: crude up, yields up, Fed hike bets rising, and then big Dow cyclical names are first to get sold. Reuters had the Dow off 514 points at 10:10 a.m. ET. Other quotes had losses nearer to 800 points before the day hit noon.

8 July 2026

Interest Rates·NASDAQ:GOOG·NASDAQ:GOOGL·Oil Prices·Stock Market

Fed’s Waller flags July hike as inflation dots rise

Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller told investors on Monday that inflation is now the main policy concern for the U.S. central bank, shifting focus away from jobs and putting more attention on the July meeting.

6 July 2026

Federal Reserve·Inflation·Interest Rates

Mortgage rates stick near lows, making little difference for refi deals

U.S. mortgage rates are sending mixed signals for investors. The headline average is showing a dip that could draw some buyers in, but the actual rate many borrowers see for locks and applications remains higher, keeping most refinances out of reach. Yahoo Finance listed the 30-year fixed purchase rate at 6.19% on June 30, a 2 basis-point uptick from the previous day but still the lowest since May. Fortune, citing Optimal Blue lock data for July 1, put the conforming 30-year mortgage at 6.419%.

1 July 2026

Interest Rates

High-yield savings rates reveal $4,500 drag for uninvested cash

Top U.S. liquid cash accounts are still offering about 5%, but the bigger story for investors is the gap between those chasing rates and savers who haven’t moved their deposits.

30 June 2026

Interest Rates·NASDAQ:NEWT·NYSE:AX·NYSE:GDOT

Rocket Companies (NYSE:RKT) drops as housing-bill bump loses steam against rate headwinds

Rocket Companies Inc fell Thursday. Turnover jumped, with about 93 million shares changing hands between Wednesday and the latest Thursday data. That’s roughly 3.6 times the 50-day average daily volume, according to MarketWatch.

25 June 2026

Interest Rates·NYSE:RKT·Stock Market

Why Bank of America Stock Price Slipped Despite BofA’s Upbeat Q1 Outlook

Bank of America sets an all-time high as cheaper deposits fuel rate-hike trade

Bank of America shares finished at a new record close of $57.91 on Tuesday, gaining 0.94%. That beat Monday’s record close of $57.37. The S&P 500 slipped 1.44%. The Financial Select Sector SPDR fund added 0.30%.

23 June 2026

Interest Rates·NYSE:BAC·Stock Market

Mortgage rates fall to 6.47% as Iran deal relief meets Fed, Hormuz risks

U.S. mortgage rates fell to their lowest level in more than a month, giving homebuyers a small break as markets tried to price a tentative U.S.-Iran peace framework and the chance that energy-driven inflation pressure may ease. The move was modest. In housing, modest now counts.

21 June 2026

Federal Reserve·Interest Rates·NASDAQ:RDFN·NASDAQ:ZG

Banco Bradesco Shares Hold Steady as Brazil Cuts Rates

Banco Bradesco’s preferred shares finished unchanged at R$17.47 in São Paulo on Friday. Investors didn’t see much reaction to the latest Brazilian rate cut. The stock moved in a tight range from R$17.40 to R$17.59 before ending about 1.9% lower than a week ago. The Ibovespa ticked up 0.03% to 168,334 points. Itaú Unibanco slipped 0.80%, Banco do Brasil shed 0.56%.

19 June 2026

Interest Rates·NYSE:BBD·Stock Market

Fed Keeps Rates Unchanged; All Eyes on Warsh Debut

The Federal Reserve left rates steady Wednesday, holding the federal funds target at 3.50%-3.75%. It was Kevin Warsh’s first policy meeting as chair, and the changes were obvious—a briefer statement, no sign of an easing bias and a fresh rate outlook pointing to higher rates this year. The vote to keep rates unchanged was unanimous.

18 June 2026

Federal Reserve·Interest Rates

Dow slips in New York after jobs data boosts rate-hike talk

Dow sinks 506 points after Fed decision leaves rates steady, risk of hike rises

Dow slips as Fed holds rates steady, signals possible hike this year. Index dropped Wednesday after a brief climb above 52,000 faded when the Federal Reserve kept rates unchanged and flagged a chance of higher borrowing costs ahead.

17 June 2026

Federal Reserve·Interest Rates·NYSE:DJI·Stock Market

AI Names Drop, Oil Upends Inflation Bets, US Stocks Slip

US shares slip as Fed keeps rates steady, eyes possible 2026 hike

U.S. stocks slumped late Wednesday. The Federal Reserve kept rates unchanged, but markets didn’t find much hope for a rate cut soon. The S&P 500 slid 91.23 points, or 1.2%, to 7,420.12. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 506.51 points, or 1.0%, to 51,493.16. The Nasdaq Composite was down 354.69 points, or 1.3%, closing at 26,021.66.

17 June 2026

Federal Reserve·Interest Rates·Stock Market

Rocket Companies (RKT) pulls back as Fed outlook dents mortgage lenders

Rocket Companies shares lost close to 6% late Wednesday, dragged down by higher rates pinching mortgage lenders and a new analyst downgrade casting doubt on any quick upside for the stock.

17 June 2026

Federal Reserve·Interest Rates·NASDAQ:RKT·Stock Market

Warsh holds rates steady at first Fed meeting, Iran deal eases oil risk

Fed starts its June meeting Tuesday, with traders looking past the likely rate hold on Wednesday and focusing on what new Chair Kevin Warsh will say after. The June 16-17 meeting includes an updated Summary of Economic Projections, according to the Fed’s calendar. That report brings the quarterly rate forecasts from policy makers. Reuters said the Fed is seen keeping its key overnight rate steady at 3.50%–3.75%.

16 June 2026

Federal Reserve·Interest Rates·NYSE:JPM·NYSE:RF

Mortgage Rates Hit One-Month Low as Iran Deal Shifts Fed and UK Rate Outlook

U.S. mortgage rates moved lower Monday after bond markets reacted to a tentative U.S.-Iran agreement that could reopen the Strait of Hormuz and ease pressure on oil prices. Mortgage News Daily’s daily index put the average 30-year fixed rate at 6.56%, down 0.02 percentage point on the day and equal to the most recent low from May 29. Matthew Graham wrote that rates are “in solid shape in the context of the last month,” but still remain in an elevated range.

16 June 2026

Federal Reserve·Interest Rates·UK Economy

Stocks Climb as Rate-Hike Odds Ease Ahead of Warsh’s Fed Debut

Wall Street futures climbed early Monday, with investors shrugging off last week’s inflation concerns and focusing on the Fed’s June meeting, the first led by Chair Kevin Warsh. Dow futures added 0.94%, S&P 500 futures moved up 1.29%, and Nasdaq 100 futures gained 2.2%. Markets got a lift after Washington and Tehran reached a preliminary deal to end the Iran war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Crude fell more than 4%, hitting a three-month low. That puts pressure off equities—as lower oil can take some heat out of inflation, ease bond yields, and help lift growth stock valuations.

15 June 2026

Federal Reserve·Interest Rates·Stock Market