- European equities and US equity futures were trading side by side as the greatest outbreak of covid infections since the pandemic's inception stifled the rally.
- The STOXX 600 index remained relatively unchanged, with travel and leisure suffering the worst losses. Futures for the S&P 500 and the NASDAQ 100 remained stable.
- Following statistics showing the largest increase in US Retail Sales since March, the dollar remained near a one-year high. The euro fell to its lowest level since July 2020, as new virus infections in Germany reached an all-time high and unvaccinated Austrians were placed under lockdown.
- Meanwhile, the pound rose to its highest level against the euro in over nine months as higher-than-expected inflation statistics fuelled hopes for a rate hike by the Bank of England.
- ECB's de Guindos: In my opinion, there will be no rate increase in 2022.
- Turkey’s Pres. Erdoğan: We will remove the burden of interest rates from citizens. (Turkish Lira weakened)
- UK CPI YoY Actual 4.2% (Forecast 3.9%, Previous 3.1%) (Sterling Strengthened)
- ECB's Rehn: Inflation is accelerating on energy and supply crunch.
- China will relax developer financial restrictions in the $152 billion ABS market.
