Market Update

Russian forces have taken control of the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant in southeastern Ukraine, local authorities said. And the authorities stated on social media that “the operational crews are monitoring the condition of the power units.” Ukraine said Russian forces attacked the station in the early hours of Friday morning, …

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 …

Risk aversion has been leading most assets amid the war fogs and indecisive peace talks in Eastern Europe. Economic DataEarlier on Thursday, the headline ISM Services PMI reading slid to 56.5 in February from 59.9 in January, below the expected rise to 61.0, according to the latest release by the …

New York Federal Reserve John Williams says that the central bank has to be data-dependent and transparent about its thinking.Williams says officials have to be open to changing course when the data suggests that’s what is needed.Key QuotesSupply chain issues and labour shortages have lasted much longer than expectedThere is …

Donations in cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin and ethereum are pouring into Ukraine as the war with Russia enters its second week. Since Russian troops invaded Ukraine on 24 February, more than 102,000 cryptoasset donations, totaling $54.7 million, have gone to the Ukrainian government and Come Back Alive Campaign.Donations have also …

US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said on Thursday the Biden administration was examining whether providing exclusions from tariffs inherited from the previous administration was a way to ease inflation.“The president has asked me, has asked members of his cabinet, to look at every possible tool in our toolbox to deal …

US oil price is off by some 3% as WTI crude fell off decade highs on Thursday following reports that a deal to allow the return of Iranian supplies to the global market is near.Traders are looking for supplements that can replace Russian exports that have been cut by sanctions …