Cryptos: All News & Analysis

We're seeing widespread risk aversion once more on Monday after new severe sanctions were levied against Russia over the weekend. The response to previous sanctions was underwhelming, to say the least, but the latest batch undoubtedly has the teeth that the others lacked. That's been most clearly evident in the FX markets, where the rouble plunged more than 30% to record lows and that could have been much worse but for swift action by the central bank. An emergency rate hike - raising the key

28-02-2022 10:43 GMT by Craig Erlam

Bitcoin - Better days ahead?

Survived another big test It's been quite the turnaround in the markets over the last 24 hours as traders quickly morphed from panicking about Russia invading Ukraine to seemingly being more hopeful and buying the dips. The recovery has been nothing short of remarkable, especially when you consider what is still happening in Ukraine. But as we can see in bitcoin, risk appetite has returned in a big way and the outlook for the crypto is looking far more positive. The fact that it failed to bre

25-02-2022 15:29 GMT by Craig Erlam

Commodities and Cryptos: Crude declines, Gold weakens, Bitcoin follows risk rally

Oil Crude prices continue to drop as energy traders realize that War in Ukraine probably won’t lead to any disruptions of Russian crude to Europe. Despite the potential for talks between Moscow and Ukraine officials, the situation in Ukraine continues to escalate as Russian forces make a move for Ukraine’s capital. Taking over Kiev would be followed by a strong reaction from Western leaders, which should suggest all sanctions remain on the table, including Russia crude oil and gas. WTI crude

25-02-2022 14:16 GMT by Edward Moya

Market Insights Podcast (Episode 299)

Jonny Hart looks back on the week's business and markets news with OANDA Senior Market Analyst Ed Moya in New York. This week they discuss how financial markets reacted to the War in Ukraine, what is driving the oil markets and what to expect going forward, recap the latest round US economic data, and how cryptos staged quite the comeback. They also discuss what the week ahead has in store for financial markets.

25-02-2022 14:01 GMT by Edward Moya

Equities bounce back

Stock markets in Europe are rebounding strongly on Friday, just one day after plunging on the back of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. It's a remarkable turnaround when you consider that the invasion is still taking place and sanctions are being drawn up. There is still huge uncertainty around how bad the situation will get, given how quickly it has escalated over the last few days, which makes the shift in risk appetite all the more surprising. With oil trading back below USD 100 a barrel and ga

25-02-2022 08:52 GMT by Craig Erlam

US Close – Russia attack on Ukraine changes everything for Inflation/growth outlooks, Stocks rebound, Ruble pummeled, Oil volatile, Gold turns negative, Bitcoin stabilizes

Global equities were in freefall as investors fled to safe-haven assets after Russian missiles and airstrikes hit dozens of Ukraine cities. Regional warfare will intensify inflationary pressures globally as energy markets could still see another massive surge after the EU/US respond.

24-02-2022 15:18 GMT by Edward Moya

Turmoil as Russia invades Ukraine

Massive risk-aversion is sweeping through financial markets on Thursday in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The Russian offensive started in the early hours of the morning in Europe and has been occurring across the country. The mood turned increasingly negative as the morning progressed, with headlines and images displaying the atrocities taking place in Ukraine. The knee-jerk reaction has been severe across the board and with the situation deteriorating by the hour, we could see fur

24-02-2022 11:53 GMT by Craig Erlam

Volatile equities session, Lowes delivers, bitcoin steadies

US slaps Russia with soft sanctions President Biden’s sanctions on Russia were about as harsh as my disciplining my daughter when she gives me puppy dog eyes. US stocks tentatively rebounded as some cash-strapped investors could not pass up buying the S&P 500 at a 10% discount and on the soft start of sanctions against Russia. It is hardly far from a de-escalation of tensions, but many traders thought the sanctions against Russia were going to be hard-hitting and send a message to Moscow. Ins

23-02-2022 13:50 GMT by Edward Moya

Stock markets cautiously higher

Stock markets are back in positive territory on Wednesday as investors await Russia's response to initial sanctions from the West. Tensions have obviously increased this week following Putin's decision to recognise the independence of two separatist regions in Ukraine but investors are not particularly deterred. We've seen plenty of risk aversion at times in recent weeks as the situation has escalated but as we've seen over the last 24 hours, the dips are still attracting interest. As long as

23-02-2022 11:12 GMT by Craig Erlam

Stocks struggle on Ukraine tensions, consumer confidence weakens, bitcoin steadies

Wall Street is debating what will be the impact that regional warfare will have on US stocks. The contagion risk will completely feed into inflationary pressures as energy costs will skyrocket and that will derail large parts of the economic recovery coming out of COVID. Geopolitical risks could lead to a slower growth cycle and that could remove the risk of a half-point Fed rate hike at the March 16th FOMC decision. Risk appetite will start to see some support as investors start to price in a

22-02-2022 14:11 GMT by Edward Moya

Another day, another rollercoaster ride

Volatility is the only thing that appears to be certain in the markets right now, as European stocks pare losses to even sneak into positive territory on the day while US futures now eye only a small decline after the bank holiday weekend. The old adage goes that the market hates uncertainty and while that has clearly been evident at times over the last couple of weeks, there's no doubt that investors continue to be tempted back in at the slightest hint of diplomacy winning the day. Even after

22-02-2022 10:43 GMT by Craig Erlam

Another rollercoaster ride

The rollercoaster ride that is 2022 is continuing at the start of the week as European equities relinquish early gains to make heavy losses. The week got off to a decent start, following reports of France brokering a meeting between Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin. While the West has continued to warn of an imminent invasion, with Russia apparently following the playbook for such a move, a meeting between the two leaders increases the potential for a diplomatic resolution. But as we've seen so of

21-02-2022 11:46 GMT by Craig Erlam

Commodities and Cryptos: Crude pares losses after explosion in Donetsk, Gold hovers near $1900, Bitcoin below $40k

Oil Crude prices reversed earlier losses after reports of an explosion in the center of separatist-held city of Donetsk in east Ukraine. Oil had been pulling back over the past couple of days as energy traders took some risk off the table and over improved expectations that Iran is getting closer to reviving a nuclear deal.

18-02-2022 13:47 GMT by Edward Moya

Cautious end to the week

It promises to be a fascinating end to the week as European equity markets steady and US futures pare losses amid planned talks between the US and Russia next week. Risk aversion swept through the markets on Thursday as the perceived risk of a Russian invasion of Ukraine rose. Much like the weather here in London, Friday was shaping up to be rather treacherous in the markets, that is until US Secretary of State Antony Blinken accepted an invitation to meet Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov

18-02-2022 08:08 GMT by Craig Erlam

Heightened invasion fears has Wall Street selling everything, US data, bitcoin tumbles

US stocks did not stand a chance today as risk aversion violently returned on growing fears of a Russian invasion of Ukraine and after an impressive earnings report from Walmart suggested the consumer is strong and paves the way for potential aggressive Fed tightening. The risks for a military conflict at the Ukraine border appear to be rising and that has many investors entering de-risking mode.

17-02-2022 15:51 GMT by Edward Moya

Market Insights Podcast (Episode 295)

OANDA Senior Market Analyst Ed Moya previews the day's market news with Jonny Hart. They discussed markets, discuss the US retail sales report, UK CPI, EIA crude oil inventory report, and crypto marketing momentum from the Super Bowl.

17-02-2022 08:59 GMT by Edward Moya

Uncertainty keeps investors on edge

Stock markets in Europe are mixed, while US futures are edging lower on Thursday, as uncertainty remains around Russia's intentions in Ukraine. It's been a rather strange week that started with warnings of an imminent invasion - repeatedly denied by Russia - followed by claims of troops withdrawing following the completion of planned drills which has since been rejected by Ukraine and NATO, who have instead insisted that numbers are rising, not falling. It's no wonder investors don't know which

17-02-2022 08:46 GMT by Craig Erlam

Commodities and Cryptos: Crude's wild ride, Gold rallies, Bitcoin edges higher

Oil Crude prices initially rose as the Ukraine-Russia conflict persisted and as short-term supply issues remained. Energy traders were fixated over the move above $100 for the Dated Brent benchmark.

16-02-2022 16:16 GMT by Edward Moya

Mixed trade ahead of Fed minutes

Stock markets are a little flat on Wednesday as we await the Fed minutes and digest more inflation data from China and the UK. We saw a strong rebound on Tuesday as some Russian troops completed military drills near the Ukrainian border and returned to their normal bases in what was the first de-escalation in the region in weeks. It came at a time when various world leaders were warning about the threat of invasion this week, something Russia repeatedly denied. Friday's warnings carried an add

16-02-2022 07:28 GMT by Craig Erlam

Stocks rebound on easing geopolitical tensions, PPI remains very hot, bitcoin rallies

US stocks rallied on optimism that it doesn’t seem like Russia will invade Ukraine this week and despite another hot PPI report, as many on Wall Street are still not convinced the Fed will be as aggressive as some are calling for this year. The bond market selloff resumed as risk appetite returned following an easing of geopolitical tensions with both the Ukraine situation and Iran nuclear talks.

15-02-2022 15:19 GMT by Edward Moya

Cryptos: all news & analysis