The dollar has rallied, boosted by strong economic data and investors betting that Donald Trump can clinch next month’s presidential election, while gold prices hit a new all-time high amid the conflict in the Middle East. The dollar is up again today, as markets shortened the odds of a second Trump administration. The dollar index – which measures the US currency against six other major currencies – rose to 104.17, the highest since early August. Gold prices have hit a fresh record as the conflict in the Middle East along with uncertainty around US interest rates and the US election fuelled demand for safe-haven assets. Spot gold climbed to $2,752 an ounce, while silver prices also rose, by 3% to $34.78 an ounce. Meanwhile, Lloyds Banking Group, Britain’s biggest mortgage lender, predicted higher house prices as it reported third-quarter profits ahead of expectations. The chief executive, Charlie Nunn, credited income growth, cost discipline and strong asset quality. It made a statutory pre-tax profit of £1.8bn between July and September, down from £1.9bn a year ago but above City forecasts of £1.6bn. The bank has raised its forecast for UK house prices to rise by 3.1% this year, compared with an earlier prediction of 1.9%. The agenda • Noon BST: US MBA mortgage applications • 7am BST: EU car sales for September • 3pm BST: speech by the European Central Bank president, Christine Lagarde • 3pm BST: eurozone consumer confidence flash estimate for October We’ll be tracking all the main events throughout the day ...
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