Morning wrap (24.01.2022)

• Indices from Asia traded mixed at the beginning of a new week. Nikkei gained 0.2%, S&P/ASX 200 dropped 0.5% and Kospi moved 1.5% lower. Indices from China traded mixed

• European index futures point to a lower opening of the cash trading session on the Old Continent today

• US index futures trade slightly above Friday's closing prices

• According to a New York Times report, the Biden administration is considering sending thousands of US troops to Eastern Europe. United States also order families of its diplomats to leave Ukraine

• New Zealand imposed coronavirus restrictions on large events and gatherings. Country will also required companies to minimise risk of virus exposure

• Taiwanese authorities reported that 39 Chinese military planes entered its airspace on Sunday

• Flash Australian manufacturing PMI for January dropped from 57.7 to 55.3. Services index dropped from 55.1 to 45.0

• Flash Japanese manufacturing PMI for January improved from 54.3 to 54.6. Services index dropped from 52.1 to 46.6

• Cryptocurrencies continued to be sold over the weekend. Bitcoin dropped below $35,000 but has managed to recover slightly sincy while Ethereum dropped below $2,500

• Oil trades slightly higher at the beginning of a new week - Brent trades near $87.50 while WTI trades near $85.50

• Precious metals trade mixed - gold and palladium gain while platinum and silver drop

• USD and CAD are the best performing major currencies while CHF and AUD lag the most

Cryptocurrencies continued to move lower over the weekend with Bitcoin dropping below $35,000 on Saturday. However, the coin managed to recover slightly later on and climb back above this level. Should declines resume, the next major support level can be found at 127.2% exterior retracement of September-November 2021 upward impulse ($31,750). Source: xStation5