International Economic
Ukrainian and Russian delegations adjourn for consultations, further meeting possible
The first round of talks between Ukraine and Russia adjourned on Monday without an agreement being reached, and with the members of both delegations having returned to their respective capitals for consultations with their governments.
Chicago area factory activity drops by more than expected in February
A gauge of factory activity in the Chicago area retreated last month for the first time since November.
Ukrainian delegation arrives in Belarus for talks, Kiev calls for immediate admission into EU
Ukraine's delegation to the negotiations with the Russian Federation in the Belarussian town of Gomel arrived mid-morning on Monday.
US trade deficit widens sharply in January
America's shortfall on trade with the rest of the world widened unexpectedly last month.
JP Morgan stays 'overweight' Financials, says duration of current dislocation is key
Equity strategists at JP Morgan reiterated their 'overweight' stance for Financials despite the escalating crisis in Ukraine, telling clients that the duration of the current dislocation and whether Russian commodity supplies would be cut off would be key.
Russia hikes interest rates as rouble plunges
Russia’s central bank has doubled interest rates to 20%, as the rouble crashed to historic lows against the dollar.
Putin ready to send a delegation to Minsk for talks
Russian President Vladimir Putin is prepared to dispatch a delegation to Minsk for negotiations with their Ukrainian counterparts, following an overture in that regard from Ukrainian officials.
Durable goods orders fly past forecasts in January
Durable goods orders in the US continued to grow at a very quick pace at the start of 2022.
US personal consumption holds up better than expected at the start of 2022
Americans opened their wallets and spent freely at the start of the year despite a lack of further income growth.
US consumer confidence edges up in late February, University of Michigan says
US consumer confidence continued to languish near its weakest level in the past decade amid rising inflation, the results of a closely-followed survey revealed.
Kiev says it's open to talks, including on neutrality
A top Ukrainian official said that his country was ready for talks with the Russian Federation, including regarding the neutral status as referred to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.
Bitcoin and cryptos bounce, driven by markets and whale activity
Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies extend their rebound on Friday, as stock markets in general are doing, erasing much of their earlier losses, as investors try to put aside concerns stemming from the Russia-Ukraine conflict. On Thursday, the price of Bitcoin plunged to nearly $34,500 but currently trades near $38,800, up 10% during the past 24 hours. Similarly, Ethereum has also advanced nearly 13% and is hovering around $2,600. Whales also showed 5 times more trading activity since the day the war started.
German GDP contracts in Q4 amid rising Covid cases
The German economy contracted in the final quarter of 2021 due to rising Covid-19 cases and related restrictions, according to the German Federal Statistical Office.
US jobless claims fall following three straight weeks of increases
First-time jobless claims fell at a faster than expected clip in the week ended 19 February following three consecutive weeks of increases.
Russian ground forces invade Ukraine after strikes overnight
Russia launched strikes across Ukraine overnight with an apparent focus on the country's military infrastructure as a precursor to land incursions that were now under way.
Bitcoin plunges, but $33,000 holds up and 'altcoins' bleed over Ukraine war
The cryptocurrency market was gripped by panic on Thursday and a wave of selling swept Bitcoin and altcoins after Russian President Vladimir Putin took the escalation of the conflict with Ukraine into new territory after launching a large-scale attack on Ukraine. Global markets reacted with sharp falls for risk assets and equally large rises for safe havens, with rises in oil or gold. Stock markets are suffering and electronic currencies, where the shocks usually hit hardest, are bleeding, proving once again that they have lost their hedging role and are behaving like a risky stock.
Ryanair, Wizz suspend Ukraine flights as Russia invades
Budget airlines Ryanair and Wizz have suspended flights between the UK and Ukraine after Russian troops invaded the east European country in the early hours of Thursday.
US may impose sanctions against Nord Stream 2
Washington may announce further sanctions against the Russian Federation as soon as Wednesday, including against a key gas pipeline.
Poll results for Ukrainians' support for Nato membership and non-aligned status are mixed
Do Ukrainians support joining Nato or would they rather that their country choose non-aligned status?.
US mortgage applications fall amid high interest rates
Mortgage applications in the US sank 13. 1% in the week ended 18 February to the lowest level since December 2019, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.