International Economic
German industrial production grows more than expected in October
German industrial production rose more than expected in October, according to figures released on Tuesday by Destatis.
Chinese imports surge as export growth eases
Chinese exports growth slowed marginally in November, official data showed on Tuesday, but imports unexpectedly surged.
Data on severity of Omicron is 'a bit encouraging' thus far, White House's Fauci says
A top US health official said the evidence on the severity of the illness caused by the Omicron variant of Covid-19 was a "bit encouraging" so far.
PBoC announces half point cut to RRR for all lenders
The People's Bank of China said that it will lower its reserve requirement ratio for all lenders, as hinted to by Chinese premier Li Keqiang and the country's Politburo.
JP Morgan sees upside for stocks, only negative news around Omicron not likely
Equity strategists at J. P. Morgan believed there was further upside to be had in stocks during the following year, even in an "adverse" scenario in which the new strain of Covid-19 turned out to cause relatively high mortality and vaccines did not work well.
Preliminary SA data appear to show shorter hospital stays, but still not conclusive
Initial data from a major hospital centre in South Africa at the centre of the new wave of Covid-19 brought on by the Omicron variant appear to show that patients require less medical care.
Saudi raises crude prices for Asia in January in possible sign of confidence
Crude oil futures are trading on the front foot in the early going after Saudi Aramco raised its official selling prices for Asia in January.
German factory orders collapse in October
German factory orders tumbled in October as foreign demand fell, according to figures released on Monday by Destatis.
ISM's non-manufacturing PMI hits another fresh record high in November
The Institute of Supply Management non-manufacturing purchasing managers' index came in at percent 69. 1 in November, up from 66. 7 a month earlier to a fresh record high.
Non-farm payrolls surprise to the downside in November
The US economy added less jobs than expected throughout November, indicating that hiring had already started to slow before the emergence of the Covid-19 omicron variant.
Euro area retail sales rise as expected in October, but slowdown evident
The volume of retail sales in the euro area increased roughly as expected in October, amid a shift back towards online sales.
Bitcoin and cryptos embark on consolidation as trading volume declines
Friday marks another day of consolidation for the cryptocurrency market, with major tokens extending their rest after last week's market swings. The arrival of December imbues calm in the digital asset market, as Bitcoin is firmly anchored in a short-term range between $56,000 and $59,000, while support and resistance remain at $55,500 and $60,000, respectively.
OPEC+ to raise output, but leaves itself room for manoeuvre
The Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies surprised some oil traders with their decision to go ahead with their previously planned output hike in January - despite the appearance of Omicron, the new strain of Covid-19.
Weekly US jobless claims bounce back by less than expected
US jobless claims rebounded a little following a steep drop during the previous week that saw them fell to a level not seen since November 1969.
Omicron cases outside South Africa no deadlier, Australian official says
On current evidence, the Omicron variant of Covid-19 did not yet appear to be any deadlier than previous ones, Australian health officials said.
Bitcoin holds $56,000 but fails as a risk hedge against Omicron
Bitcoin remains in the trading range it was encapsulated in this week, with support around $55,500 - $56,000, while resistance is at $60,000. The queen of the 'cryptos' lived through a day on Wednesday that is almost a carbon copy of the previous one, with limited rises above $59,000 and moderate sales caused by the headlines coming from the US.
Is it really worth vaccinating the entire globe for $50bn? OECD asks
Vaccinating people around the entire globe could cost a staggering $50bn, but it would be worth the effort, even if only because of the rather higher cost of not doing so, the rich world´s economic watchdog argued.
US private sector adds more jobs than expected in November
Private sector employment in the US grew a little more than expected in November, according to the latest data from ADP.
Bitcoin takes a hit from the Fed and its possible acceleration of tapering stimulus
Bitcoin maintained its rebound on Monday and Tuesday, along with other risk assets, but failed to break above $60,000, yet again being pressured downwards. The November close has been above $57,000, which means a drop for the queen of the 'cryptos' of 7%. All in all, its annual boom remains at 100% and optimists still expect the crypto-asset to stage a rally to $70,000 before the end of the year. In recent hours, due to the words of Federal Reserve (Fed) Chairman, Jerome Powell, Bitcoin´s rises have been limited above $59,000.
UK house price growth doubles forecasts but outlook 'uncertain'
House price growth continued at a brisk pace in November, buoyed by "robust" conditions in the labour market, but the multiple headwinds the sector was facing meant that the outlook was uncertain.