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As expected, the RBA maintained its cash rate at a record low 0.10% earlier on Tuesday. In the rate statement, Governor Philip Lowe said that the global economy continued to improve, but noted that the war in Ukraine was "a major new source of uncertainty". Lowe warned that inflation would continue to rise and that the RBA was projecting inflation to hit 3.25% in the coming quarters. This is significant because it indicates that the central bank expects inflation to rise above the bank's 2-3%

01-03-2022 06:39 GMT by Kenneth Fisher

Euro weakens on Ukraine fighting

The euro has lost ground on Tuesday and fallen below the 1.12 level. In the European session, EUR/USD is trading at 1.1173, down 0.40% on the day. The fighting has intensified in Ukraine, with a Russian armored column stretching for miles slowly winding its way towards the capital Kyiv.

01-03-2022 06:27 GMT by Kenneth Fisher

Oil and gold drifting

Oil prices give back Monday gains Interestingly, despite the extreme intra-day volatility in oil markets, on a closing basis, Brent crude has hardly moved over the past five sessions, closing between USD 97.00 and 98.00 a barrel. Oil spiking early in the day on Ukraine-related developments but failing to maintain momentum and giving back those gains in New York.

01-03-2022 04:48 GMT by Jeffrey Halley

US dollar clings to gains

US dollar stays firm The US dollar finished higher overnight, but only marginally so as the peak-Ukraine rally in equities caused the greenback to give back much of its intraday gains. The dollar index finished 0.21% higher at 96.75, before climbing another 0.12% to 96.86 in Asia today. Given the bargain hunter mentality sweeping the equity markets, it is interesting that the US dollar continues to trade firm, even more so given the move lower by US yields across the curve overnight.

01-03-2022 04:27 GMT by Jeffrey Halley

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

Asian equities rally once again

Asian equities mostly held their own yesterday in the face of the weekend Russia sanction news, although European ones, as expected, were stretchered off injured. A Ukraine-Russia meeting was as good a reason as having a clutching-at-straws rally.

01-03-2022 04:11 GMT by Jeffrey Halley

Crude rallies, Gold hovers around USD 1900

Oil surges as West tightens sanctions Crude prices surged after the West delivered a stronger round of sanctions that raised the risk that Russian energy supplies could be next to get targeted. Energy traders are awaiting the US and allies to tap their strategic reserves, which could unleash 70 million barrels of oil. The oil market will remain very volatile as the risk of losing access to Russian energy supplies grows. The uncertainty over how the Ukraine war will unfold has too many risks

28-02-2022 15:40 GMT by Edward Moya

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

Yen posts gains despite weak data

Japanese production, retail sales fall Japan's factory output declined for a second consecutive month as supply disruptions continue to take a toll on manufacturing. Industrial production for January fell 1.3% m/m, worse than the consensus of -0.7%.

28-02-2022 12:06 GMT by Kenneth Fisher

Powerful sanctions hit risk appetite

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

Oil closes in on USD 100, gold rises

Oil eyeing USD 100 again as the US considers another SPR release and a nuclear deal Oil prices are naturally rallying strongly at the start of the week. Brent and WTI are both closing in on USD 100 once again and only a significant de-escalation looks likely to derail that.

28-02-2022 10:40 GMT by Craig Erlam

Aussie active ahead of RBA meeting

The Australian dollar started the trading week with considerable losses but has recovered and is unchanged on the day. Volatility continues due to Ukraine crisis The financial markets remain focused on Ukraine, where the Russian invasion continues and the capital Kyiv is bracing for a Russian onslaught at any time. Russian and Ukrainian officials are currently meeting on the Belarus-Ukraine border to discuss a cease-fire, although expectations for a breakthrough are low.

28-02-2022 10:02 GMT by Kenneth Fisher

NZ dollar dips as business confidence slides

New Zealand business confidence plunges The week started on a sour note, as ANZ New Zealand Business Confidence plunged in January, with a reading of -51.8. This was a sharp drop from the December read of -23.2.

28-02-2022 08:36 GMT by Kenneth Fisher

Euro volatile as Ukraine crisis in focus

The euro remains under pressure and was down close to 1% earlier in the day. EUR/USD has recovered and is currently trading at 1.1215, down 0.50%.

28-02-2022 06:03 GMT by Kenneth Fisher

Oil, gold rise on risk aversion

Oil prices are sharply higher on enhanced sanctions Unsurprisingly, the sharp escalations in sanctions over the weekend, which sparked panic among ordinary Russians, has seen oil open sharply higher today. Brent crude has soared 3.50% to USD 101.85 a barrel, and WTI has rocketed 4.55% higher to USD 96.10 a barrel. Oil prices are, in fact, slightly off initial highs, potentially on hopes from the Ukraine-Russia meeting, with similar price action seen in equity and currency markets.

28-02-2022 04:25 GMT by Jeffrey Halley

Asian markets in choppy waters

Asian equities are impressively resilient US futures were crushed at the Asian open this morning, unwinding all of Friday's impressive gains. Since then, US index futures have pared some of those initial losses, while several key Asian markets are actually trading in positive territory. Futures on the S&P 500 are 1.20% lower, while the Nasdaq has tumbled by 1.85%.

28-02-2022 04:16 GMT by Jeffrey Halley

It’s all about Ukraine

As we enter the end of February and the beginning of March, I could be discussing the very busy week of data ahead and its implications on monetary policy. But who are we kidding?

28-02-2022 03:35 GMT by Jeffrey Halley

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

US Close: Stock rebound continues, Fed's favorite inflation reading hits highest level since 1983, Consumer Spending rebounds

US stocks are rallying as Wall Street anticipates central bank reluctance to go overly aggressive with tightening monetary policy, so they could provide a cushion for a growth hit that will stem the Russia-Ukraine developments. Even as Russian troops move in on Ukraine’s capital, risk appetite got a boost from Moscow’s signal that they could be ready to have talks with the Ukrainian government.

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

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

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