Particular focus is on the seven battleground states that are likely to decide the direction of the election. Recent polls showed Harris had a strong base in female supporters, while Trump was mostly favored by young white men.
Oil prices rose on Thursday, extending the previous day’s rally, driven by optimism over U.S. fuel demand following an unexpected drop in crude and gasoline inventories, while reports that OPEC+ may delay a planned output increase offered support.
Gold prices hit a record high in Asian trade on Wednesday as safe haven demand was boosted by increased political uncertainty in the U.S. and Japan, as well as anticipation of more cues on interest rates.
Gold prices rose in Asian trade on Tuesday, coming close to record highs as the run-up to the 2024 presidential election and uncertainty before upcoming data prints kept safe haven demand in play.
Concerns over Israel’s attack on Iran- over an early-October strike- had been a key point of uncertainty for markets, especially on fears that any damage to Iran’s oil or nuclear infrastructure would mark a dire escalation in the conflict.
Oil prices nudged higher on Friday and are on track for a weekly gain of more than 1%, as tensions in the world’s top oil-producing region, the Middle East, and a restart in Gaza ceasefire talks in the coming days kept traders on edge.
Gold prices rose slightly in Asian trade on Thursday, but were nursing a tumble from record highs as anxiety over the U.S. election and a shifting outlook for interest rates favored the dollar.
The market continues to wait for Israel’s response to Iran’s missile attack,” ING analysts said on Wednesday, adding the price strength on Tuesday was possibly due to the lack of outcome from U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s latest visit to Israel.
Oil prices steadied near $74 a barrel on Tuesday as the top U.S. diplomat renewed efforts to push for a ceasefire in the Middle East and as slowing demand growth in China, the world’s top oil importer, continued to weigh.
Oil prices rose on Monday, recouping some of last week’s more than 7% decline, with no let up of fighting in the Middle East and the expectation of retaliatory Israeli attacks on Iran worrying markets about supply from the region.
