Market Update

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 …

Global rating agency S&P cut Russia rating to ‘CC’ from CCC- while citing difficulties meeting debt payments due on its dollar-denominated 2023 and 2043 Eurobonds on Thursday.“Russia’s payment difficulties stem from international sanctions that reduced its available foreign exchange reserves and restricted its access to the global financial system, markets …

WTI crude has climbed near USD 102.00 as IEA renewed fears of supply shortage. The expectation of supply shortage from Russia has already been discounted by investors. The OPEC’s positive response to the urge of US President Joe Biden will fix the demand-supply gap.West Texas Intermediate (WTI), futures on NYMEX, …

The USD/CHF pair has witnessed a pullback near 0.9340 after a decisive selling pressure from 0.9460 amid renewed fears of ceasefire delay between Russia and Ukraine. The Kremlin reportedly said that news pointing to progress in Ukraine-Russia peace talks was “wrong,” as per Reuters.Earlier, Ukraine officials reported that the negotiators …

EUR/USD has been waning from earlier session highs in recent trade and is now back below the 1.1100 level. Since Wednesday’s Fed hawkish policy announcement, EUR/USD has gained about 1.0%, flummoxing some analysts.Markets seem to currently be being driven by “hopes” for a Russo-Ukraine peace deal, meaning geopolitics remains a …