All Articles

US dollar rises on geopolitical/economic nerves The US dollar rose into the end of the week on Friday as investors loaded up on weekend risk protection. Nothing has changed over the weekend to alter the need to hold US dollars; if anything, with the US seemingly about to ban Russian oil imports, and no good news from Ukraine, the situation has hardened. The dollar index has risen by 0.57% this morning to 99.06, but the US dollar pain has been unevenly spread.

07-03-2022 04:27 GMT by Jeffrey Halley

Asian markets slide as oil surges

Oil prices sink Asian equity markets The massive oil-price spike this morning, has sunk equity markets across Asia, coming after a weak finish on Friday in New York despite a monster Non-Farm Payrolls print. With most of Asia being massive net energy importers, it is hard to construct a bullish case tight now, and with the stagflationary wave coming sure to hit Asia hard, any rallies will probably be measured in days and not weeks. On Friday, US equities finished on a weak note as markets watc

07-03-2022 04:09 GMT by Jeffrey Halley

Oil price spike crushes Asian markets

Oil surges on talk of banning Russian crude Oil prices are 8.50% higher this morning in panicked early buying in futures markets after weekend reports that the US was looking at completely banning Russian oil imports, and the Russians themselves inserted some hefty last-minute demands on the US in the small print of the almost-finished Iran nuclear deal. With the latter in jeopardy, and the former sure to lead to higher domestic prices, it is no surprise that Asian traders, a region heavily rel

07-03-2022 03:57 GMT by Jeffrey Halley

Market Insights Podcast (Episode 303)

Jonny Hart speaks to APAC Senior Market Analyst Jeffrey Halley about news impacting the market and the week ahead. It's all about oil today with Brent crude touching $140.00 a barrel in early Asia before retreating to $129.00, a 10% gain. We ask what is behind the explosion in prices on the back of news over the weekend.

07-03-2022 03:44 GMT by Jeffrey Halley

EUR/USD - Further pain to come?

Sell-off accelerates in risk-averse trade The decline in the EURUSD pair has really accelerated over the last week after the West imposed severe sanctions against Russia that will have implications for the global economy, in particular Europe. Sanctions rarely work one way but they are designed to ensure the maximum and majority pain is imposed on the recipient country. Unfortunately for Europe, the recipient country is also an important trading partner and its main source of natural gas among

04-03-2022 15:18 GMT by Craig Erlam

Market Insights Podcast (Episode 302)

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 does the latest nonfarm payroll report does to Fed rate hike expectations, and recapped what happened with energy markets. They also discuss what the week ahead has in store for financial markets.

04-03-2022 13:04 GMT by Edward Moya

Week Ahead - Enormous uncertainty

It's been another week of significant volatility in financial markets, one in which European indices edged closer to bear market territory, oil prices hit a 10-year high around $120, and safe-haven gold came close to $2,000.

04-03-2022 12:58 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

NFP React: Investors shrug off strong payrolls and focus on War in Ukraine and inflation, Strong Payroll gain but soft wages

US stocks might be less exposed to the war in Ukraine, but the hit to global growth and inflation impact can and will eventually drag down the US economy. Equities declined after Russia seized Europe's largest nuclear plant. It does not seem like the Kremlin will be backing down anytime soon and that is leading to widespread selling of global equities. In the past 24 hours, financial markets went from hoping of talks of a potential ceasefire to seeing the Russians seize a nuclear plant, which

04-03-2022 12:47 GMT by Edward Moya

Oil on the upswing, gold has support

Oil climbing again after another volatile session Oil prices remain extremely volatile given the backdrop of huge uncertainty around Russian exports as a result of Western sanctions. Brent came within a whisker of USD 120 on Thursday before falling more than 8%.

04-03-2022 09:35 GMT by Craig Erlam

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

Sterling slips to new 2022 low

The pound is down considerably for a second straight day and has lost over one per cent on the week. GBP/USD is trading at 1.3268, its lowest level since December 2021. In economic news, the UK Construction PMI for February accelerated to 59.1, up from 56.3 in January and easily beating the consensus of 54.3.

04-03-2022 08:19 GMT by Kenneth Fisher

Aussie extends rally

The Australian dollar continues its impressive rally and is in positive territory on Friday. AUD/USD has climbed 1.37% this week. The war in Ukraine shows no signs of letting up, and news that a Russian missile scored a direct hit on a Ukrainian power plant has made investors even more jittery about the war in Europe.

04-03-2022 07:43 GMT by Kenneth Fisher

Euro falls to 22-month low

After starting the week with gains, the euro has been on a nasty slide, which has continued on Friday. EUR/USD has dropped below the symbolic 1.10 level in the European session and is at its lowest level since June 2020. Fire at Ukraine nuclear plant sends euro lower The intensified fighting which is raging in Ukraine has taken its toll on the euro. The grim news of a fire at a Ukrainian nuclear plant caused by Russian shelling has resulted in safe haven flows which has boosted the US dollar

04-03-2022 06:50 GMT by Kenneth Fisher

Oil goes for a ride, gold clueless

Oil’s price action gets emotional If you’re looking for volatility, trade oil markets. Oil’s price action overnight bordered on outright lunacy as Brent crude rose from USD 114.50 to USD 119.70, before falling to finish 3.60% lower at USD 110.40 a barrel.

04-03-2022 05:05 GMT by Jeffrey Halley

Dollar climbs on Ukrainian nuclear fire

The US dollar surges on Ukrainian nuclear fears Notably, the US dollar did not experience any relief flows seen in energy and equity markets overnight in New York, as US yields held onto their gains of the previous session. The rising price of commodities increases demand for US dollar, as does Ukraine haven flows, and should continue to support the greenback into the weekend.

04-03-2022 04:52 GMT by Jeffrey Halley

Market-Trends-Stocks-Bonds-Equities-forex-currencies.jpg

Ukraine jitters weigh on Asian markets

Asian equities spooked by Ukraine nuclear plant fire Overnight, European stock markets were crushed once again under Ukrainian nerves as commodity prices across the board soared. US stocks managed a modest recovery as bond yields steadied and hopes rose of an Iranian nuclear deal.

04-03-2022 04:37 GMT by Jeffrey Halley

From Bad to Worse

This morning, headlines in Asia have been dominated by reports that fighting had caused a fire at Ukraine’s nuclear power plant and Europe’s largest, Zaporizhzhia, in the southeastern part of the country. That sparked a risk-off move in asset classes, with equities falling and oil rallying. War reporting is a fluid situation at best and initial reports stated that one of the reactors, thankfully closed for maintenance but still containing nuclear material, was on fire.

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

AUD/USD - Breakout amid soaring commodity prices

OANDA Senior Market Analyst Craig Erlam discusses AUDUSD which is in the midst of a bullish breakout as commodity currencies continue to benefit from rising prices.

03-03-2022 18:19 GMT by Craig Erlam

Oil dips after more gains, gold flat

Oil pulls back after almost hitting USD 120 Oil prices are slightly lower, entirely giving up earlier gains that amounted to more than 5% at one point. Brent peaked just shy of USD 120 which is a level that's been talked about a lot in recent weeks but perhaps many won't have expected to see so fast.

03-03-2022 15:36 GMT by Craig Erlam

All news & analysis