Russia’s aggression in Ukraine is causing enormous suffering. It is also affecting the economy, in Europe and beyond. The conflict and the associated uncertainty are weighing heavily on the confidence of businesses and consumers. Trade disruptions are leading to new shortages of materials and inputs. Surging energy and commodity prices …
Read More »Japan shares rise as central bank adheres to ultra-loose monetary policy
Japanese stocks rose on Thursday after the Bank of Japan renewed its commitment to ultra-accommodative monetary policy and investors were relieved that no surprises would negatively affect the stock market. The Nikkei index rose 1.75 percent at the close, recording 26,847.90 points, the largest daily increase since April 13, after …
Read More »Annual inflation in Russia rises to the highest level since 2002
Russia’s annual inflation accelerated to 17.70 percent as of April 22, the highest level since early 2002, and up from 17.62 percent a week ago, due to sharp price hikes amid Western sanctions, the Russian Economy Ministry said on Wednesday. Prices of just about everything, from vegetables and sugar to …
Read More »Bank of Japan keeps policy steady
The Bank of Japan was expected and has maintained its key interest rates at today’s meeting, continuing to defend low rates with bond-buying but is uber dovish and pessimistic in its guidance. The yen is now pushed above 129 the figure toughing a 20-year high and that is where it …
Read More »Russia’s Gazprom continues to export gas to Europe via Ukraine
Russian gas pipeline operator Gazprom continued to supply Europe with natural gas through Ukraine on Thursday, according to European consumer demands, data from a Ukrainian gas pipeline operator showed. The data indicated that requests amounted to 63.4 million cubic meters on April 28.
Read More »Market Drivers – US Session – Wed. 27 April
Wednesday witnessed a sharp reversal of recent yen strength, which lacked a clear trigger. Meanwhile, the US dollar has reclaimed the top spot in the daily G10 performance table, and saw the trade-weighted US Dollar Index (DXY) hit fresh more than five-year highs. The Dollar Index rallied to the north …
Read More »T-yields surge as investors eye clues on Fed plans
US Treasury yields surged at the long end on Wednesday after the prior day’s rally as investors awaited greater clarity on the “restrictive” policy the Federal Reserve plans to pursue next week to combat inflation by curbing economic growth.This week a lot of the price action you’ve seen in bonds …
Read More »NZD/USD attempts to recover from fresh lows
The NZD/USD pair is down by 0.33% from a high of 0.6590 but has consolidated into the close in the North American session above the tailspin lows of 0.6527. The pair has been pressured on Wednesday ahead of key data for the US on Thursday and the Federal Reserve next …
Read More »WTI trades near $100 as traders weigh geopolitics, China demand
WTI crude oil continues to trade near $100 as market participants weigh European energy security developments versus China demand/global growth fears.The latest US inventory figures gave WTI some short-lived upside with the US SPR falling to its lowest since 2002. After posting a solid recovery on Tuesday following Monday’s brief …
Read More »USD/CAD rallies despite overextended conditions
USD/CAD has continued to rally despite what some might perceive to be overextended conditions. The question traders are asking at the moment is whether this is now the top.The US dollar is on fire due to fundamentals yet commodities could be on the verge of a move higher which would …
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