Fed up with decisions

News of the day, Friday, February 11

AstraZeneca is announced to become a component of NASDAQ-100 index replacing the Xilinx company there. AstraZeneca has reported 2021 results recently, showing a 41% income growth last compared to 2020. The income rise excluding the Covid-19 vaccine is 26%. In 2021, the company has released 2,5 billion doses of vaccine worldwide.

Oil has achieved the first weekly drop since December, as Iranian diplomatic increase may revive a nuclear deal and lead to the removal of oil sanctions on Iranian sales, thus to broader supply. The process of reviving the nuclear deal takes place since 2015 in Vienna. However, the ease of oil prices could be temporary. While Iranian talks increased some prices, it won’t last as the market is still in a supply deficit. 

The market pressures Federal Reserve to consider inflation measures after a remarkable jump in US consumer prices has withdrawn all the positive hopes for people’s economic welfare. No doubt, Fed is left behind the curve by now. Soon after the state reports have shown the prices have been rising faster than any time since the 1980s, traders had replied with an expectation of an incredible 50 basis-point rate hike. St. Louis Fed President James Bullard insists on a full percentage point hike during the next three months. The seemed uncertainty suggests an internal Fed’s debate over further monetary policy shifts. Sure thing, it will become much louder ahead of the next rate-decision meeting in March.

The price of Brent crude is $91.59, WTI — $90.22, GBP/USD — 1.3561, EUR/USD — 1.1391, and gold costs $1827.75 per ounce.