- The latest information on the omicron strain and the Federal Reserve's indication of stepped-up attempts to tame rising inflation boosted US equity-index futures and markets in Europe on Wednesday. Bonds fell in value.
- After a drop in US markets following Fed Chair Jerome Powell's hawkish tilt on Tuesday, S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 futures moved higher. The 10-year Treasury yield in the United States rose, surpassing 1.50%. The spread between 5-year and 30-year treasury rates was at its lowest since March of last year. Crude oil and commodity-linked currencies have made a comeback.
- Travel companies and carmakers led a broad-based rally in the Stoxx Europe 600 index, wiping out Tuesday's loss, which was only the benchmark's third monthly loss this year.
- Markets are roiled by volatility as investors assess whether the pandemic recovery can withstand dwindling monetary policy support and the threat of the omicron virus type. Global industrial activity steadied last month, according to purchasing managers' indices released on Wednesday, and while central banks are easing their ultra-loose monetary policies, financial conditions in major economies remain positive.
- OECD Forecast: US growth of 5.6% in 2021, 3.7% in 2022, 2.4% in 2023
- OECD Forecast: Eurozone growth 5.2% in 2021, 4.3% in 2022, 2.5% in 2023
- Russia's Foreign Ministry: U.S. embassy personnel who have been in Moscow for more than three years must depart by January 31st - RIA
- Goldman Sachs: The market has already priced in a massive 7 M/BPD negative demand impact over the next three months, with no offsetting OPEC+ reaction.
- Belarus' Pres. Lukashenko: If Poland closes its border, I am willing to cease Russian energy flows - IFAX
- Japan advocates for stopping all bookings of incoming international flights until the end of December - NHK
