Market Prices on April 25, 2025

Market Overview for April 25, 2025

The U.S. Dollar Index (DXY00) declined by 0.49% on Thursday. The dollar came under mild downward pressure after China announced that no trade agreement talks with the U.S. were currently underway, raising concerns that the trade war between the two nations might prolong.

This week, initial jobless claims in the U.S. increased by 6,000 to reach 222,000, matching expectations. Meanwhile, continuing claims dropped by 37,000 to 1.841 million, hitting a 10-week low and indicating a stronger labor market than the anticipated 1.869 million.

The Chicago Fed National Activity Index decreased by 0.27 points to -0.03, falling short of the expected 0.12. U.S. existing home sales in March declined by 5.9% month-over-month to 4.02 million units, performing weaker than the projected 4.13 million.

Metals

On April 25, 2025, gold prices rebounded after falling more than 3% in the previous session, supported by a weaker US dollar and profit-taking buying activity, while market attention shifted to US-China trade relations.

Spot gold on the LBMA rose 1.4% to $3,333.9perounce,afterhittingarecordhighof$3,500.05 per ounce on April 22, 2025 due to concerns about the US economy. June 2025 gold futures on the New York exchange increased 1.7% to $3,348.6 per ounce.

Copper prices also rose, though trading below their three-week high, bolstered by the weakening US dollar. London Metal Exchange copper prices gained 0.4% to $9,418perton,afterreachingtheirhighestlevel($9,481.5 per ton) since March 4, 2025 in the previous trading session.

Energy

Oil prices climbed as investors weighed multiple factors including a weaker U.S. dollar, potential OPEC+ production increases, mixed economic signals, inconsistent U.S. tariff policies, and ongoing Russia-Ukraine tensions. At market close on April 24, Brent crude rose 0.7% to $66.55perbarrel,whileWTIcrudegained0.8$62.79 per barrel.

The dollar’s decline made dollar-denominated commodities like oil more attractive to buyers using other currencies. Several OPEC+ members have reportedly proposed significant production hikes for June 2025, marking what would be the second consecutive month of increased output.

U.S. natural gas prices plunged 3% to a five-month low, pressured by larger-than-expected inventory builds and forecasts of mild weather that could reduce both heating and cooling demand in coming weeks. May 2025 natural gas futures on NYMEX fell 3% to $2.93 per mmBTU, the lowest level since November 15, 2024.