Finance & economics | Golden moment

Will interest-rate cuts turbocharge oil prices?

As policymakers prepare to ease policy, traders (and presidential candidates) hold their breath

A gas station's prices are displayed in San Antonio, Texas, United States
Photograph: AP

When commodity prices move in tandem, it is usually because real-world events jolt markets. China is the world’s biggest consumer of raw materials, so its economic leaps and stumbles matter. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine hindered the trade of fuels and grains, causing prices to surge. But every once in a while it is news in the financial sphere that prompts traders to act. And the most common source of such news is America’s Federal Reserve.

This article appeared in the Finance & economics section of the print edition under the headline “Golden moment”

From the September 7th 2024 edition

Discover stories from this section and more in the list of contents

Explore the edition

More from Finance & economics

US President Donald Trump serves fries as he works behind the counter during a campaign event at McDonald's restaurant.

Don’t let Donald Trump see our Big Mac index

America’s tariff-loving president could learn the wrong lessons from international burger prices

The federal reserve represented as a slot machine with bitcoin coins at its base.

Will America’s crypto frenzy end in disaster?

Donald Trump’s team is about to bring digital finance into the mainstream


A ping pong game with a container instead of a ball.

Do tariffs raise inflation?

Usually. But the bigger problem is that they harm economic growth and innovation


European governments struggle to stop rich people from fleeing

Exit taxes are popular, and counter-productive

Saba Capital wages war on underperforming British investment trusts

How many will end up in Boaz Weinstein’s sights?

Has Japan truly escaped low inflation?

Its central bankers are increasingly hopeful