• US indices plunged yesterday with downward momentum increasing after the first Omicron case was reported in the United States. S&P 500 dropped 1.18%, Dow Jones moved 1.34% lower and Nasdaq dropped 1.83%. Russell 2000 moved 2.34% lower

  • Moods have once again improved during the Asian session with US and European index futures erasing part of losses. Stocks in Asia traded mixed – Nikkei and S&P/ASX 200 dropped, Kospi advanced and indices from China traded little changed
  • Turkish lira continues to trade near record lows against the USD and EUR after Turkish President Erdogan fired Finance Minister
  • Fed Mester said that accelerating pace of tapering will allow for earlier rate hikes
  • French and US authorities said that some of recent travel bans may be lifted soon. Japan lifted restrictions on Japanese citizens returning to country from high-risk virus areas
  • RBNZ Chief Economist Yuong Ha said that Omicron is unlikely to change outlook for RBNZ monetary policy
  • Bitcoin took a hit overnight and reached a daily low near $55,700. However, the coin has climbed back above $56,000 since
  • CAD and GBP are the best performing major currencies while JPY, CHF and USD lag the most
  • Oil trades higher along with silver, platinum and palladium. Meanwhile, gold and industrial metals pull back