- US indices finished yesterday's trading lower. S&P 500 fell 0.72%, Dow Jones closed around the flatline and Nasdaq dropped 1.71%. Russell 2000 plunged 1.96%
- Negative sentiment prevails in Asia. Nikkei fell 1.04%, S & P / ASX 200 dropped 0.42% and Kospi lost 0.60%. Indices from China also moved lower
- DAX futures point to a lower opening of the European cash session
- Fitch downgraded China Evergrande and Kaisa Group, defining them restricted default
- PBOC Governor Yi Gang said Thursday rights of Evergrande shareholders and creditors would be "fully respected"
- PBOC also said the risk caused by a few Chinese real estate companies in the short term would not undermine Hong Kong's capital market.
- Japanese scientists found that omicron is 4.2 times more transmissible than the delta, and has a higher chance of escaping immunity built naturally and through vaccines.
- IMF said that a more transmissible virus variant such as Omicron could cost the global economy a further $5.3 trillion, in addition to the current projected loss of $12.5 trillion.
- Biden said the US is preparing "additional measures" against Iran as nuclear talks falter
- Toyota has shut down production lines at two assembly plants due to supply chain problems
- Beer is being rationed in Australia due to supply chain disruption
- Japan PPI in November +0.6% m/m (vs. expected 0.3%) & +9.0% y/y (expected 8.5%)
- New Zealand retail card spending for November +9.6% m/m (prior +10.1%)
- Bitcoin dropped below $48,500 handle, while Ethereum is approaching $4100 level
- Oil move slightly higher, while precious metals pulled back
- AUD and EUR are the best performing majors. NZD and CHF lag the most
Silver price dropped below $22.00 per ounce, a level not seen since late September amid a stronger dollar. If current sentiment prevails, next support at $21.50 may be at risk. Source: xStation5
