Latest News
EPA Grants Summer E15 Waiver to Ease Gas Prices, Impact May Be Limited
The U.S. EPA issued an emergency waiver permitting summer sales of E15 gasoline starting May 1 to address high pump prices. However, infrastructure and supply limitations may curb the policy's effectiveness.
U.S. Natural Gas Holds at $3 Amid Strong LNG Exports, Storage Draw
U.S. natural gas futures traded near $3 per mmBtu Friday, supported by a significant storage draw and robust LNG export activity. Prices remain disconnected from much higher global benchmarks.
Mortgage Rates Hit 8-Month High, Pressuring Housing Demand and Lender Stocks
Mortgage rates reached an eight-month peak on Friday, with the average 30-year fixed loan at 6.64%. The Mortgage Bankers Association reported a 10.5% weekly drop in applications as affordability concerns mount.
XRP Tests Key Support as Ripple Deploys AI for Ledger Security
XRP fell 2.4% to approximately $1.32 on Friday, extending its weekly loss to 7.9%. Ripple revealed its AI security team has identified more than 10 vulnerabilities in the XRP Ledger, with fixes planned for the next software release.
Bitcoin Retreats Below $66K Amid ETF Outflows, Options Expiry, and Geopolitical Strain
Bitcoin dropped over 4% Friday, sliding below $66,000 as significant ETF outflows, a major options expiry, and Middle East tensions pressured the crypto market. Related equities like Coinbase and Marathon Digital saw steep declines.
Silver Surges 4% in Rebound, Yet Structural Deficits and Volatility Loom
Silver rebounded sharply on Friday, climbing over 4% to $71.01 per ounce after a 5% drop, with broader precious metals also rallying. However, prices remain far below January's peak amid persistent supply deficits and demand concerns.
Wall Street Extends Slide as Oil Spike, Tech Weakness Fuel Selloff
U.S. stocks extended their weekly decline, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite closing at their lowest levels in six months. A sharp rise in crude oil prices and persistent weakness in major technology shares pressured the broader market.
Gold Surges 3.6% as Geopolitical Tensions, Inflation Fears Spark Rebound
Gold prices rallied sharply on Friday, climbing 3.6% as buyers returned after a steep selloff. The rebound follows a volatile week driven by war headlines and shifting U.S. Federal Reserve policy forecasts.
