- On Wednesday, the global stock rise came to a halt as traders assessed the possibility of geopolitical conflict in Ukraine as well as the impact of growing inflation on central bank policies.
- After continuing Tuesday's advances, US futures and Europe's STOXX 600 index fluctuated. havens like gold and treasuries were steady, while Italian government bond yields rose to the highest level in almost two years as investors braced for the ECB to stop buying its debt.
- Investors are struggling to assess Moscow's claim that some forces are being withdrawn as the impasse between Russia and the West over Ukraine continues to vex markets. They're also thinking about rising expenses and the possibility of tightening monetary policy in nations like the United States and the United Kingdom, where inflation had unexpectedly risen.
- Russian Fin. Min. Siluanov warns global energy prices will rise if western sanctions hit Russian energy sector.
- The Russian envoy to the EU insists there will be no escalation in the Ukraine crisis this week, next week, or next month - IFX.
- Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov: Russia will retaliate to prepare for Britain imposing new sanctions on Moscow.
- EC Pres. von der Leyen: In terms of energy supply, the EU is on the safe side this winter.
- ECB's Kazaks: Interest rate hike is fairly likely this year.