Consumer confidence in the United States (US) continued to deteriorate in November, with the University of Michigan's Consumer Sentiment Index falling to 50.3 from 53.6 in October. This print came in worse than the market expectation of 53.2.
The US sanctions against Russia's two largest Oil companies announced by US President Trump two weeks ago are now apparently also having an impact on Russia's seaborne crude Oil exports, Commerzbank's commodity analyst Carsten Fritsch notes.
Gold (XAU/USD) trades slightly firmer on Friday, holding within the familiar $3,900-$4,050 range as the prolonged United States (US) government shutdown and cautious sentiment across global markets keep safe-haven demand steady.