Omicron

Global markets down on resurgent pandemic fears

Global markets witnessed broad-based sell-off and while some markets like the US recovered to some extent, others like Japan and Germany were hit hard. A slew of economic data from CPI numbers to employment figures which released over the month was overshadowed by the recent resurgent pandemic fears. Market Performance & Key Metrics Source: Refinitiv The S&P 500 ended the month with a slight fall of 0.8%. In a market that is already concerned about the spread of the new...

Kuwait stocks fell in November driven by sharp fall in oil prices

Kuwait, in line with the broader GCC market, ended the month in red, fuelled by sharp fall in oil prices. The growing fears over a new COVID-19 variant also led to profit taking at the end of the month. Market Performance & Key Metrics Source: Refinitiv, Boursa Kuwait All sectors, except Healthcare and Insurance, declined in November. Insurance was the top gainer, rising 7.6% followed by healthcare which recorded modest gains of 1.8%. Basic materials and Industrials sector indices registered...

Oil declines in November on concerns of lower demand owing to COVID-19 variant

Oil prices declined steeply in November, marking its largest monthly decline since March 2020. The fall follows the multi-year high prices posted by the commodity in October. Concerns over lower demand on account of new COVID-19 variant, Omicron, and expectation of increase in supply due to release of Strategic Petroleum Reserves by the U.S pressured prices during the month. Performance of Oil Source: Refinitiv U.S plans to release about 50 million barrels of oil from its reserves. China, Japan, India,...