15.11. Asian stocks rise, dollar and oil decline

News for today, November 15:

European stock markets are expected to open slightly lower on Monday, as the positive earnings season ends and fears of rising Covid-19 cases mount. Major European stock indices have approached record levels in recent weeks, boosted by strong corporate income reports and hopes that the European Central Bank will maintain a flexible monetary policy.

Asian stocks rallied on Monday amid unexpected economic data that challenged speculation that China's economy was in a downturn. Wall Street edged lower last week, although the major indices were only slightly down from the record highs. The dollar fell from nearly 16-month highs versus major peers as traders await new information on the U.S. economy after forward bets on the Federal Reserve's interest rate hike last week amid strong inflation.

Oil has been falling for the past three weeks on a stronger dollar and speculation that President Joe Biden's administration may release oil from the U.S. Strategic Oil Reserve to lower prices. Crude oil continued to fall on Monday, under pressure from higher supply expectations and a lower demand forecast on the back of higher energy prices. Brent crude futures fell 45 cents, or 0.6%, to $ 81.72 a barrel as of 04:04 GMT. WTI (U.S.) crude oil fell 36 cents, or 0.5%, to $ 80.43 per barrel. The price of Brent crude is now $ 81.86 per barrel, WTI — $ 80.47. EUR/USD is at 1.1452, GBP/USD — 1.3415, gold is at $ 1,862.23 per ounce.­­­­