Market Update

European stocks are heading to end the week with a cautious performance, as the prospect of tighter lockdown measures in Germany and France, as well as new restrictions to combat COVID-19 in China, dampen optimism about the global economic recovery. The pan-European STOXX 600 index fell 0.5%, heading to close …

Oil prices plunged as fears about Chinese cities being subjected to general isolation measures due to the outbreak of the Coronavirus curbed a rally driven by strong import data from the world’s largest crude consumer and US plans for a stimulus package. Brent fell 46 cents, or 0.8%, to $ …

Oil prices returned to gains on Thursday, finishing higher on the back of the rollout of Coronavirus vaccines and positive sentiment towards the expected increase in government stimulus spending in the United States as planned by the new administration. Brent crude futures for March delivery gained 36 cents, or 0.6%, to …

Gold prices declined on Thursday as the Treasury yields in the United States continued to rise and with the U.S. Dollar (USD) showing some rebound signs. The yellow metal futures for February delivery closed lower by $3.50, or 0.2%, at $1,851.40 per ounce. Meanwhile, silver futures for March delivery gained 23 …

European stocks closed higher on Thursday, registering gains for the third consecutive session, supported by the gains of the tech and travel sectors and a positive sentiment towards the anticipated rise in stimulus spending by the new administration in the United States. The pan-European STOXX 600 index finished higher by …

The United States economy continues to be affected by the Coronavirus pandemic, as evident by the decline in applications to start new businesses by 28.5% during the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2020, Reuters reported. Data by the U.S. Department of Commerce said on Thursday that applications to start new businesses …

Consumer sentiment in the United States fell last week its lowest level in six months, data showed on Thursday. The Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index declined by 1.2 points to 43.2 points. This the eighth consecutive decline in the index, which is now 6.6 points below its level in mid-November in …

The United States Department of Commerce added on Thursday China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) to its blacklist due to belligerent actions in the South China Sea, AFP reported. Accordingly, S&P Dow Jones indices has to de-list the company. “China’s reckless and belligerent actions in the South China Sea and …

There is a need for the global regulation of Bitcoin, according to the President of the European Central Bank (ECB), Christine Lagarde, Reuters reported. Lagarde believes that global cooperation is needed to stand in the face of what she called funny business and money laundering using the cryptocurrency, which she …

The United State economy is facing the risk of significant weakness during the coming months until Coronavirus vaccines are distributed, said the President of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, Eric Rosengren. “I am expecting that the labor market is going to be stagnant for the next couple months until …