Market Update

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 …

Retail gasoline prices in China have risen to levels not seen since at least 2006, while diesel prices have risen to their highest level in ten years after the rise in global oil prices in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The National Development and Reform Commission said …

The US Dollar remained under selling pressure throughout the day, accelerating its slump ahead of the London fix. The USD was affected by persistent weakness in government bond yields following the hawkish Federal Reserve’s announcement on Wednesday.Economic DataWTI crude has climbed near USD 102.00 as IEA renewed fears of supply …