Cryptos: All News & Analysis

Commodities and Cryptos: Oil remains volatile, Gold tumbles, Bitcoin below $40k

Oil Crude prices tentatively turned negative after Russian President Putin saw “certain positive shifts” in talks with Ukraine. Oil will remain a volatile trade as the headlines regarding the war in Ukraine and Iran nuclear talks will keep traders on edge. Optimism for a Russia-Ukraine ceasefire is driving crude prices lower but that might not continue much until Russian ease up on their attack in Western Ukraine. Energy traders went into this week thinking Iran had a small chance there for a

11-03-2022 11:53 GMT by Edward Moya

Cause for optimism?

European equity markets are making decent gains on the final day of the week, buoyed by a suggestion that there has been progress in talks between Ukraine and Russia. We were already seeing stock markets making cautious gains in morning trade but they were given a boost by comments from Vladimir Putin. While I would love nothing more than to believe what he said to be true, I would caution that Putin has said a lot in recent weeks, almost all of which has been untrustworthy. With that in mind,

11-03-2022 09:16 GMT by Craig Erlam

Stocks sink as high-level talks disappoint, inflation at highest in 40 years, ECB to end QE sooner, bitcoin falls

US stocks declined after both high-level talks did not produce a stop in fighting and as investors worry that war in Ukraine could lead to higher inflation for much longer. Today’s inflation report showed widespread pricing pressures before the full impact of the global shock from the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Energy costs, soft commodities, and metals will continue to see upward pressure and that will start to be sticky as wages soften.

10-03-2022 16:16 GMT by Edward Moya

Swift risk-reversal

European markets have made significant losses again on Thursday, as risk appetite reversed following unsuccessful talks between Ukraine and Russia. There can't have been much expectation for anything more given the wide-ranging demands and ridiculous justifications we've seen from Russia for the invasion, or "special military operation". But I guess high-level talks are a small step in the right direction which has provided some hope. With the lack of progress and the continued assault on Ukra

10-03-2022 13:18 GMT by Craig Erlam

A premature rebound?

Equity markets bounce back Stock markets are rebounding strongly on Wednesday, with Europe posting gains of up to 5% as investors question whether the worst is already priced in. I'm certainly not convinced that this is the case but stocks have fallen a lot in recent weeks and comments from President Zelensky around NATO membership could be viewed as a first and important step towards a compromise between Ukraine and Russia. Perhaps what we're therefore seeing is a hopeful rally rather than o

09-03-2022 11:49 GMT by Craig Erlam

Asia’s modest relief rally

US bans all Russian energy imports The announcement by President Biden overnight of a unilateral ban on Russian energy imports had been well flagged to markets already. That limited the fallout from the announcement and although energy prices still finished higher overnight, equity markets in New York were only slightly lower.

09-03-2022 03:43 GMT by Jeffrey Halley

Stocks remain persistently volatile, commodity craziness, nickel's historic move, bitcoin higher

Trading US stocks has become massively complicated as the impact from the war in Ukraine continues to drive persistent volatility with commodity prices, which is wreaking havoc on inflation expectations and driving recession fears. US stocks pared losses as some investors still remain confident with the economic outlook for the rest of the year, but that rebound did not last. Geopolitical risks and surging commodity prices are crippling everyone’s short-term US stock market outlook and that wi

08-03-2022 15:40 GMT by Edward Moya

Temporary comfort

European stock markets have been given an unexpected boost on Tuesday following reports that the bloc is close to an agreement on fresh joint bond sales to fund major projects. It was reported that the joint bond sale will fund energy and defence spending across the EU following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Europe has long been criticised for its over-reliance on Russian oil and gas, as well as its failure to hit its 2% NATO defence spending target, and the invasion has created the urgency

08-03-2022 10:45 GMT by Craig Erlam

Stocks lower as surging oil prices threaten growth prospects, Kohl’s investor day disappointment, Bitcoin back to being a risky asset

US, European stocks fall as oil prices skyrocket US stocks declined as surging commodity prices continued to add to worry that economic growth prospects will take a big hit as the Ukraine uncertainty persists. The crippling effect of oil prices above USD 130 would send many European economies into a recession and that sent major European stock indexes into bear market territory. Long-term investors however are growing confident that most of the exposure risk for European banks with the Russia

07-03-2022 15:50 GMT by Edward Moya

Panic start to the week

European markets entered bear market territory at the start of the week as panic set in at the open in response to reports of the US looking to impose a ban on imported Russian oil. To make matters worse, the reports appeared to suggest Europe is considering similar action as well which would be a monumental blow for Russian producers and the economy. It would also be a massive problem for Europe as there isn't exactly an abundance of alternatives out there right now. The initial reports sent

07-03-2022 11:59 GMT by Craig Erlam

Commodities and Cryptos: Oil higher, Gold shines, Bitcoin lower after Nuclear plant seized

Oil Crude prices rallied after Russian troops seized control of Europe’s largest nuclear power plant in Southeastern Ukraine. A fire at the nuclear site was extinguished and early reports were that there was no immediate indication of a rise in radiation levels. Yesterday, hopes were growing that a third round of talks could happen and lead to a ceasefire and later that night Russia forces continued to make gains. Oil prices has been a one-way market, but the potential return of Iranian crud

04-03-2022 12:48 GMT by Edward Moya

Bear market territory

European markets are closing in on bear market territory in heavy selling at the end of the week as investors grow increasingly fearful of recessionary and escalation risks. The sell-off has gathered pace as the morning has progressed and I can't expect the mood will improve as we head into another highly uncertain weekend. The fact that Vladimir Putin is showing no desire to de-escalate despite crippling economic sanctions says everything about his mentality and that is bad news for everyone.

04-03-2022 09:31 GMT by Craig Erlam

Risk-aversion returns after brief rally

Stock markets are back in the red again on Thursday, as we await further talks between delegations from Ukraine and Russia. Wednesday's rebound was predictably short-lived against the backdrop of reports of intensifying attacks by Russian troops as they close in on cities across the country. The sanctions that have been levelled at Russia since the invasion started have been far more severe than many expected and we're learning more about their devastating impact with every passing day. While

03-03-2022 15:32 GMT by Craig Erlam

Sell-off on hold amid more talks

The sell-off is on hold on Wednesday as investors regroup following another big move lower a day earlier. European stocks are paring gains and the US has kicked things off in a similar fashion with energy naturally leading the way. I'm not sure broader market sentiment has improved in any way since yesterday given the intensification of the invasion of Ukraine and soaring oil prices but equity markets are seeing some reprieve. There is mild hope that talks between the Ukrainian and Russian del

02-03-2022 12:26 GMT by Craig Erlam

Stocks rebound ahead of Powell testimony, ADP impresses, Powell sets up March liftoff, bitcoin nears potential top

US stocks are rallying on hopes that the hard-hitting sanctions could be working on Russia and on expectations that Fed Chair Powell will signal the central bank will be in wait-and-see mode with regards to aggressively tackling inflation until they assess the war in Ukraine impact. Risk appetite will struggle to fully return until a true end in the war in Ukraine is in sight. Wall Street wants to take a break from the defensive playbook and hold off overloading on utilities, healthcare and con

02-03-2022 10:40 GMT by Edward Moya

Market Insights Podcast (Episode 300)

OANDA Senior Market Analyst Craig Erlam reviews the day's market news with Jonny Hart. They discuss another day of turbulence in financial markets as Russian sanctions begin to bite and the invasion of Ukraine intensifies.

02-03-2022 06:47 GMT by Craig Erlam

Commodities and Cryptos Shine as risk aversion hits Wall Street: Oil surges, Gold and Bitcoin rally

Oil Energy traders shrugged off the EIA announcement that 60-million barrels of crude will be released. Crude prices can’t stop going higher as a very tight oil market will likely see further risk to supplies as the War in Ukraine unfolds. Expectations for a revival of the Iran nuclear deal have come down a bit as talks still have a few key issues. Brent crude could surge to the $120 level if the oil market starts to think it is likely that sanctions will be placed on Russian energy. Normal

01-03-2022 15:05 GMT by Edward Moya

Another risk-averse session

Equity markets came under heavy pressure into the close in Europe on Tuesday, as the Ukraine invasion continued and the price of oil soared. The invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces is continuing to intensify despite talks yesterday between delegations from both sides on the border with Belarus. Further talks are expected to take place this week but that's not slowing the assault on Kyiv, to the horror of most countries around the world. The sanctions that have been announced so far will be d

01-03-2022 13:22 GMT by Craig Erlam

Markets look to price peak-Ukraine

The New York session once again saw a sharp reversal of fortunes, reversing the post-weekend Russia sanctions sell-off. Oil, the US dollar, and gold fell, while equities stage an uneven comeback.

01-03-2022 04:18 GMT by Jeffrey Halley

Stock pare losses, bitcoin breakout

US stocks clawed back losses as investors prepared for a massive economic downfall for Russia now that the Western nations are intensifying sanctions. Wall Street finished in the red as Russia’s financial meltdown led to some contagion worries and as surging commodity prices will continue to fuel inflationary pressures that will lead to growth concerns later this year.

28-02-2022 15:35 GMT by Edward Moya

Cryptos: all news & analysis