Markets are out on holiday

News for today, Friday, December 24:

In many markets the holiday period has already started. U.K., France, Poland and the Benelux countries’ markets are opened for the day. Euro was directionless at $1.1322, during the morning trade on European markets

Brent crude slid a little but is still on track for a weekly gain of about 4%. Investors are looking forward to the upcoming OPEC+ meeting, scheduled on January 4th. It is likely that they come to a decision to raise the oil production as it is rumored that some industries would switch fuel from high priced gas to oil.

Global oil demand roared back in 2021 as the world began to recover from the coronavirus pandemic, and overall world consumption potentially could hit a new record in 2022 - despite efforts to bring down fossil fuel consumption to mitigate climate change.

The price of Brent crude is $76.52 per barrel, WTI — $73.72. EUR/USD is at 1.1334, GBP/USD — 1.3408, gold is at 1,810.10 per ounce.