Oil prices rose on Friday, with Brent crude heading for its first weekly gain in five weeks on tensions in the Middle East after Iran shot down a US military drone and on hopes for a drop in US interest rates that may stimulate global growth.

Oil prices extend gains amid Middle East tensions, rate cut hopes

Oil jumped more than 3% to above $63 a barrel on Thursday after Iran shot down a US military drone, raising fears of a military confrontation between Tehran and Washington.

Oil prices surge as Iran shoots down US drone in Gulf

The BSE benchmark Sensex ended 66 points higher Wednesday after a highly volatile session ahead of the US Federal Reserve meet outcome. After rallying nearly 400 points during the day, the BSE gauge settled 66.

Sensex ends 66 points higher; auto, bank stocks tank

Domestic equity benchmark BSE Sensex the NSE Nifty turned cautious in early trade Tuesday ahead of US Federal Reserve's meeting, amid escalating global trade war concerns.

Sensex, Nifty turn cautious ahead of US Fed policy meet

Gold prices remained subdued on Monday after retreating from a 14-month peak in the previous session, as the dollar held near multi-week highs on strong US retail sales data, ahead of the US Federal Reserve meeting this week.

Gold prices subdued on firmer dollar; Fed meeting in focus

The tech-rich Nasdaq powered to a fresh record Friday as Wall Street cheered a much better than expected US jobs report for April. European bourses also advanced following the US report, which set unemployment at a 49-year low.

Nasdaq ends at record as global stocks cheers strong US jobs growth

US consumer spending in December took its biggest dive in nearly a decade, retreating during a month when Wall Street suffered a historic rout, according to government data released Friday.

US consumer spending in December at historic low, reveals government data

The BSE benchmark Sensex Thursday rallied over 200 points on positive cues from global markets after dovish comments by the US Federal Reserve as it left key policy rates unchanged.

Sensex jumps over 200 points on firm global cues

The US Federal Reserve will hold its fire this week, leaving interest rates untouched and letting markets calm down after a tumultuous end to 2018. Coming off Wall Street's worst December since the Great Depression and amid mounting fears about the global economy, Fed policymakers are now unanimously hammering a single message: they will be "patient" before pulling the trigger again.

No Fed hike this week but don't rule out more in 2019: Economists

President Donald Trump on Monday renewed his verbal assault on the US Federal Reserve, blaming the central bank for mounting fears over the US economy and comparing it to a blundering golfer.

Central bank US economy's 'only problem', tweets Trump

US President Donald Trump has discussed firing Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, Bloomberg reported on Saturday, citing sources. Trump's frustration with the US central bank chief intensified after this week's interest rate increase and months of stock-market losses, the news agency said, citing four unidentified people familiar with the matter.

Trump has discussed firing US Federal Reserve chairman Powell: Report

After weeks of market volatility and calls by President Donald Trump for the Federal Reserve to stop raising interest rates, the US central bank instead did it again, and stuck by a plan to keep withdrawing support from an economy it views as strong.

US Federal Reserve hikes interest rates; Wall Street stocks tumble

The Indian rupee — which has been in constant decline this year, it fell over 13% in 2018 — may be a top performer of 2019, analysts have said. Tumbling oil prices have put the rupee on course for the best quarter in nearly two years.

After very troubled year, Indian rupee to be a top performer of 2019?

Tokyo led a rout of Asian shares Thursday, mirroring big losses on Wall Street after the Fed defied unprecedented pressure from Donald Trump and raised interest rates, sparking fears the move could choke economic growth.

Asian markets sink after US Federal Reserve hikes rates

Gold prices edged higher on Tuesday, supported by hopes that the US Federal Reserve could pause its rate hike cycle sooner than expected and as the dollar slipped after the previous session's rally.

Gold prices inch higher as dollar softens

Still under $14,000 in Asian trading hours, it smashed through $15,000 in European trading and got as high as $16,777 before pulling back, according to Bloomberg data. Near 2145 GMT, bitcoin stood at $16,070

Bitcoin surges above $16,000 as concerns mount

President Donald Trump has nominated Federal Reserve Governor Jerome "Jay" Powell to lead the US central bank, saying the former investment banker has the wisdom and intelligence to guide the world's largest economy.

Trump taps Jerome Powell to lead US Federal Reserve

The Fed has kept federal funds rate in a range of 0.75-1.0%, just as most analysts had expected

US Federal Reserve keeps key lending rate unchanged

The wording of the Fed's policy statement strengthens the prospect of two more increases in the benchmark lending rate this year

Dollar gains as Fed stays on track for gradual rate hikes

With the US population ageing, flow of foreign workers has been an important factor in keeping the economy expanding: Yellen

Curbing immigration could slow down economic growth: US Federal Reserve chair

The rate increase from the previous range of 0.25 to 0.50% is the first hike since December 2015 and only the second in a decade

US Fed raises key interest rate by 0.25 points, signals more increases

The Indian rupee has clocked its record low?of 68.86 against the US dollar

What has really triggered this depreciation of rupee against the dollar?

Trump had criticised Yellen for maintaining low interest rates to support President Obama and create a 'false' economy

US Federal Reserve chair Yellen to complete term despite Trump's criticism

Chair Yellen said according to the Fed experts the economy appeared on track to grow moderately, allowing for a hike 'relatively soon'

US Federal Reserve hints at interest rate hike next month