US indices finished yesterday’s session lower. The Dow Jones fell 0.25%, S&P 500 dropped 0.3% and Nasdaq lost 0.16%.

• US stocks are set to cap another strong year, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq up more than 20%, while the Dow gained about 19% in 2021

• Mixed moods prevail in the Asian markets today. Nikkei and Kospi are both closed, DJ New Zealand lost 0.46%. Indices from China struggled to find common direction

• German, Spanish and Italian markets are closed, while French and UK markets are scheduled for an early close

• President Biden made clear during yesterday’s phone call with president Putinthat, the US and its allies and partners will respond decisively if Russia further invades Ukraine

• US cruise line stocks took a hit yesterday after the CDC discouraged Americans from taking cruises, while US-listed Chinese firms rallied sharply on year-end buying.

• China PMIs  for December. Manufacturing 50.3 (expected 50.1) & Services 52.7 (expected 53.1)

• South Korea’s consumer prices rose 3.7% in December, above markets expectations of a 3.6% increase and remaining at a decade high

• South Africa says its Omicron wave has passed its peak with no big spike in deaths

• Oil and precious metals move slightly higher

• Bitcoin is trading around $47400 while Ethereum rose slightly to $3730

• AUD and CAD are leaders among major currencies while CHF and EUR lag the most