Market Update

US Existing Home Sales over the last 12 months fell to 6.02M in February from 6.49M in January, larger than the expected drop to 6.10M, according to data released by the National Association of Realtors. That marked a 7.2% MoM drop in the 12-month rolling sales number in February versus …

The euro fell on Friday but was on track for its biggest weekly gain in six weeks as traders breathed a sigh of relief after Russia avoided defaulting on dollar-denominated debt and markets digested the broader impact of the start of the US interest rate hike cycle. The euro slipped …

Headline Canadian Retail Sales rose at a pace of 3.2% MoM in January, much stronger than the expected 2.4% gain, marking a strong rebound from December’s Omicron Covid-19 variant induced drop of 1.8% MoM, data released by Statistics Canada showed on Friday. Retail Sales excluding autos also saw stronger than …

3-month nickel contracts retraced 12% on Friday morning to new trading levels, as heavy selling continued in the international metals markets. The price reached 36,915 dollars per metric ton with the opening of trading on the London Metal Exchange. Nickel prices doubled within hours on March 8, surpassing $100,000 a …

The Bank of Russia announced on Friday that it left the policy rate unchanged at 20% as expected. “Will take into account actual and expected inflation movements relative to the target and economic developments over the forecast horizon.” “Will take into account risks posed by domestic and external conditions and …

European shares rose on Friday, extending the strong gains recorded this week, with investors focused on the Russian-Ukrainian peace talks that seem to have made no progress so far. The pan-European Stoxx 600 index rose 0.2 percent by 0814 GMT and was on track for its best weekly performance since …

Japan said it would impose sanctions on 15 individuals and nine Russian organizations, including defense officials and state-owned arms exporter Rosoboronexport. The sanctions, which include asset freezes, are the latest in a series of measures taken by Japan in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Japan has so far …

The Japanese Nikkei index ended Friday’s trading on a rise and recorded the largest weekly gain in nearly two years, tracking the impact of Wall Street gains, in light of caution over a five-day rally in local markets. The Nikkei increased 0.65% to close at 2,6827.43 points, and its gains …

Credit rating agency Standard & Poor’s on Thursday downgraded Russia’s rating to CC from -CCC, as Moscow reported difficulties in meeting debt payments due on dollar-denominated bonds in 2023 and 2043. The rating agency said Russia’s payments problems were caused by international sanctions over the invasion of Ukraine. Sanctions have …

Oil prices continued to rise on Friday at the end of a volatile third week with little progress in peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, raising fears of tighter sanctions and prolonged oil supply disruptions. Russian President Vladimir Putin, in a stern speech on Thursday, denounced “traitors and scum” at …