The WTI crude oil briefly eclipsed the $80 per barrel level for the first time since mid-November as OPEC+ struggles to lift output.Crude oil prices have rallied despite recent downside in global equities after hawkish Fed minutes, and are keeping an eye on Kazakhstan unrest.Front-month WTI futures have surged on …

The Institute of Supply Management’s headline Services PMI index fell to 62.0 in December versus forecasts for a fall to 66.9 from 69.1 in November. Business Activity fell to 67.6 from 74.6. Prices Paid rose to 82.5 from 82.3. New Orders fell to 61.5 from 69.7, the lowest such reading …

According to US Census Bureau data, US Factory Order rose by 1.6% MoM in November. That was slightly above the expected 1.5% gain and marked an acceleration on the 1.2% MoM gain seen back in October (which was revised up from 1.0%). Excluding transportation, orders were up 0.8% on the …

The US dollar edged lower for most of Wednesday but got an unexpected push by the US Federal Reserve’s Meeting Minutes. US policymakers use the kind of language confirming a looming interest rate hike and that the quantitative easing, stimulus asset and asset purchases are no longer necessary.The minutes document …

“More UK businesses than ever before are worried about inflation, and a record number are planning to increase their own prices,” said Bloomberg while conveying the latest British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) details on early Thursday morning in Asia.The news also quotes Suren Thiru, Head of Economics at the BCC …

The IHS Markit Australia Composite PMI was unrevised at 54.9 in December of 2021, pointing to a slower rate of private sector output growth, however high by historical standards.Foreign demand for Australian manufactured goods improved while services exports stayed subdued amid border restrictions and COVID-19 Omicron variant fears.Both manufacturing and …

“The Bank of Japan’s government debt holdings have fallen for the first time in 13 years as the central bank quietly adjusts its massive bond-buying program in the face of looming financial risk,” said Nikkei while conveying details of the Bank of Japan’s stealth tapering during early Thursday morning in …

US stocks ended sharply lower on Wednesday after the FOMC minutes showed the Fed will likely raise rates sooner than earlier anticipated and could reduce its balance sheet shortly after it raises rates. The Dow Jones sank 393 points or 1.1% to 36407, after closing at a record level the …

Minutes from the Fed’s December meeting indicated that policymakers are ready to aggressively dial back policy stimulus.One key aspect, the US central bank’s balance sheet, was the subject of prolonged discussions, with policymakers pointing to a reduction in bond purchases during the coming months. Fed Members expressed concern about inflation …

The US dollar edged lower for most of Wednesday, but eventually received an unexpected boost from the US Federal Reserve’s Meeting Minutes. Fed policymakers noted that “In light of elevated inflation pressures and the strengthening labor market, participants judged that the increase in policy accommodation provided by the ongoing pace …