By Laura Sanchez
Investing.com - Investors are keeping a close eye on talks between the US and the European Union to establish a framework for action against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.
Oil falls.
Cryptocurrencies trade mixed this morning.
Here are five factors for investors to consider when making their decisions today:
1. EU-US pact against Russia
Representatives of the US government and the European Union (EU) have met in Washington to jointly address the challenges posed by Russia, and pledged to work together to hold its president, Vladimir Putin, accountable for the invasion of Ukraine.
The EU and the US have set as key objectives in the face of Russia's aggression in Ukraine that Moscow accept a ceasefire, cease hostilities, open humanitarian corridors, Russia withdraw its troops and recognise Ukraine's independence within its internationally recognised borders.
To achieve this, the two sides have consulted each other before imposing separate sanctions on Russia and measures to isolate it in the international community, reports EFE.
2. OPEC meeting
This Thursday, we will be closely watching the OPEC meeting, at a time when oil prices are still at record highs after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
This morning, both WTI and Brent crude are down.
3. Cryptocurrencies are mixed
The cryptocurrency sector is trading mixed on Thursday. Bitcoin is trading at $46,000 and Ethereum at $3,300.
4. Asia and the American stock market
The main Asian indices are negative today. Nikkei falls 0.5%. Hong Kong's Hang Seng lost 1.1% and the Shanghai Composite dropped 0.3%.
On Wall Street, the market also ended yesterday in the red. The S&P 500 (-0.6%), Nasdaq (-1.2%) and Dow Jones (-0.1%) closed lower.
5. Macroeconomic data
Among the main macroeconomic references, UK GDP, German retail sales and unemployment, French CPI, Spanish current account and Euro zone unemployment rate will stand out.
In the US, new jobless claims and the Chicago PMI will be released.
South Africa, markets closed in the green yesterday, driven by gains across the board in real estate and mining stocks. Unemployment Rate, PPI (MoM), Business Confidence (Mar) and Trade Balance are scheduled for release to day.
Follow the day's events on our economic calendar: https://za.investing.com/economic-calendar/