Market Update

Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP) rose by 210K in November versus the median forecast for a 550K rise, data published by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics showed on Friday. That marked a substantial decline versus the 546K jobs added to the US economy in October.

The dollar rose on Friday against most major currencies, as traders positioned themselves ahead of the release of crucial US jobs data that could pave the way for an early Federal Reserve interest rate hike. The dollar index, which measures the performance of the US currency against six other major …

Eurozone’s Retail Sales rose by 0.2% MoM in October versus 0.2% expected and -0.4% last, the official figures released by Eurostat showed on Friday. Annually, the bloc’s Retail Sales came in at 1.4% in October versus 2.6% recorded in September and 1.2% estimated.

The seasonally adjusted IHS Markit/CIPS UK Services Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) was revised lower to 58.5 in November versus 58.6 expected and a 58.6 – last month’s flash reading. Gold futures rose 0.66% to $1,774.30 by 10:48 PM ET (3:48 AM GMT), after falling to their lowest level in nearly …

The UK services sector activity expanded less than expected in November, the final report from IHS Markit confirmed this Friday. The seasonally adjusted IHS Markit/CIPS UK Services Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) was revised lower to 58.5 in November versus 58.6 expected and a 58.6 – last month’s flash reading.

Gold rose on Friday morning in Asia. However, the yellow metal braced for its third consecutive weekly decline, weighed by signs that the US Federal Reserve will accelerate the pace of reduction in asset purchases and raise interest rates earlier than expected to curb inflationary pressures. Gold futures rose 0.66% …

Data on Friday showed that inflation in Turkey rose more than expected to 21.31% on an annual basis in November, its highest level in three years, exacerbating the decline in real yields after the unprecedented decline of the lira to its lowest levels ever. The Turkish Statistical Institute said consumer …

Japan’s Nikkei index reversed course to close higher on Friday, led by travel and leisure stocks, as investors cashed in on battered stocks amid concerns about the impact of the mutated Omicron strain of the coronavirus. The Nikkei rose 1%, the largest percentage increase in three weeks, to close at …

A number of US banks including Goldman Sachs are considering how to use bitcoin as security for cash loans to institutions.Banks such as Goldman will not touch cryptocurrency spot markets but still tend to synthetic crypto products such as futures. Emulating tri-party repo type arrangements, banks are searching for ways …

The outlook for the US economy is still clouded by the emergence of Omicron strain, this may see the US’s renewed lockdown which would benefit the Swiss franc and other safe havens. Optimism is struggling to find its way through uncertainty ahead to global financial markets until Thursday’s session closing. …