Data released this week revealed that imports into China had declined during March due to the Covid lock-downs in major industrial and shipping centres.
During Thursday's trading hours, the price for Natural Gas reached levels not seen since 2008, as the price traded above the 0.7110 level.
This week the St Louis Federal Reserve President James Bullard stated to the Financial Times that the Federal Reserve has to slow down the economy to stop inflation.
On Tuesday, the US Consumer Price Index was released. Monthly inflation in the US was revealed to be at 1.2%. Due to the news, the value of the USD plummeted, as the markets interpreted the news as a signal of incoming US monetary tightening.
On April 13, the Bank of Canada published its monetary policy statement. The central bank hiked its interest rate from 0.50% up to 1.00%, which was an expected 50 base point hike. Moreover, the bank stated that more increases are to be expected, as inflation continues to surge.
On Tuesday, the World Trade Organization announced that it would decrease its forecasts for 2022 global trade volumes.
This week, the stock prices of Deutsche Bank and Commerzbank dropped due to an undisclosed stock holder selling more than 5.00% of the total stock of the two banks.
On April 13, the Reserve Bank of New Zealand hiked interest rates. The markets expected a 0.25% hike that would increase rates up to 1.25%. However, the bank hiked 0.50%, which put the Official Cash Rate at 1.50%.
Data published on Tuesday revealed that the United States small business confidence plummeted in March, as business owners revealed that inflation was their most important problem.
This week, European Union officials met with OPEC representatives in Vienna in order to discuss potential increases of oil production.
In March, auto sales in China decreased by 11.7%, as lockdowns had shut down major centres of economic activity.
Honda has revealed that the company would invest a total of $64 billion in the research and development of electric vehicles. The company's stock price has plummeted almost 20.00% since the company revealed its initial aims at developing EVs.
The German Ministry of Labour stated this week that economic growth in the country would decline to 1.50%.
The President of the US Cleveland Federal Reserve Loretta Mester revealed on Sunday that the United States are bound to continue to experience high inflation even through 2023.
This week, Twitter announced that Elon Musk would not join the company's board of directors, contrary to last week's news.
On Friday, in its weekly research note the Bank of America stated that the macroeconomic situation would deteriorate and push the US into a recession.
On Monday, the price for Natural Gas reached above the 2021 high level zone, as at mid-day the price even touched the $6.65 mark.
Reuters has revealed that the German government intends to offer companies that have been impacted by the war in Ukraine more than 100 billion Euros in various aid forms.
On Monday, the Bank of Japan was the cause of an all-out decline of the value of the Japanese Yen. The USD/JPY surged more than 150 base points or 1.20% during Monday's first half of trading.
Due to the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, Volvo has revealed that the company would create a $423 million or 4 billion SEK reserve fund that should cover possible losses.
On Friday, the European Union adopted new sanctions on Russia, among which was a ban of coal imports. The news caused surge of US and European coal company stocks.
The UN reported on Friday that global food prices reached a record high level during March by jumping 13.00%.
On Thursday, the US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen stated that Russia needs to be expelled from 20 and that the US would boycott G20 meetings.
In March, inflation in Ireland had reached 6.7% on a year-on-year basis, which is the highest level observed over a period of 40 years.