The Russian ruble fell to new record lows against the dollar on Thursday, after Fitch and Moody’s downgraded Russia’s sovereign debt rating to “junk”. Russia’s financial markets have been turbulent due to sanctions imposed for its invasion of Ukraine, the biggest attack on a European country since World War II. …

Japanese shares fell to their lowest level in nearly two weeks on Friday as the fighting in Ukraine escalated, but the Nikkei index avoided its lowest close in 15 months as the market settled in the midday session. The Nikkei ended the session down 2.23 percent to close at 25,985.47 …

Oil fell 2 percent on Thursday, after hitting prices not seen in nearly a decade, amid selling on hopes that the United States and Iran will soon reach a nuclear deal that could contribute to increasing supply, which is currently suffering from tightness. Trading was volatile, with crude oil prices …

The International Energy Agency said on Thursday that Europe could reduce the import of Russian gas by more than a third within a year, and the agency announced a 10-point plan to reduce the European Union’s dependence on Russian gas. “Nobody is under any illusions anymore. Russia’s use of its …

The International Energy Agency said on Thursday that Europe could reduce the import of Russian gas by more than a third within a year, and the agency announced a 10-point plan to reduce the European Union’s dependence on Russian gas. “Nobody is under any illusions anymore. Russia’s use of its …

Oil prices continued their rally on Thursday, with Brent crude heading towards $120 a barrel, its highest level in nearly a decade, due to US sanctions on Russian refiners, shipping disruptions, and a drop in US crude stocks to their lowest level in years. Brent crude futures prices rose to …

Gold prices firmed on Thursday as investors remained cautious about the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, which also boosted demand for the safe-haven precious metal, while supply fears pushed palladium to a seven-month high. Gold prices consolidated in spot transactions at $1926.10 an ounce. US gold futures rose 0.4 percent …

The UK services sector activity expanded less than expected in February, the final report from IHS Markit confirmed this Thursday. The seasonally adjusted IHS Markit/CIPS UK Services Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) was revised lower to 60.5 in February versus 60.8 expected and a 60.8 – last month’s flash reading.

A US Energy Information Administration report said on Wednesday that the US Strategic Crude Oil Reserve fell 2.4 million barrels last week to 580 million barrels, its lowest level since August 2002. At the crude delivery and storage center in Cushing, Oklahoma, stocks fell by 972,000 barrels last week to …

The European Union has removed seven Russian banks from the Swift messaging system that supports global transactions as part of its sanctions against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, the Official Gazette of the European Union said on Wednesday. The banks, which will be given 10 days to phase out …