The euro appreciated on Friday. In the evening, the common currency cost $1.1340, 0.3 percent more than the previous evening.
Investors turned to Bunds on Friday amid political tensions between Ukraine and Russia. The prices of the ten-year government bonds, which are often used as a safe haven, rose, while the yield fell to minus 0.087 percent, its lowest level in a week. Russia has massed around 100,000 soldiers on the border with Ukraine, but denies accusations that it is preparing an invasion of the former Soviet republic.
The prospect of significantly tighter monetary policy in the US weighed on digital currencies like Bitcoin. The price of the oldest and largest cryptocurrency by market value fell to its lowest level since last August. Meanwhile, 37,597 dollars were marked on the Bitstamp trading platform. The day before, the course was still well over $40,000. Other digital stocks also fell sharply in some cases. The second largest cryptocurrency by market value, Ethereum, fell by almost nine percent and was listed well below the $3,000 mark.
The recent surge in oil prices was dampened on Friday. The two main crudes, Brent and WTI, fell. A barrel (159 liters) of North Sea Brent cost 0.8 percent less in the evening at $87.66. The gloomy mood on the stock markets put pressure on oil prices. Crude oil is considered a risky asset class that is often hurt by falling stock prices. In addition, observers referred to the significantly increased US inventory data from the previous day.
Information on the stock markets can be found today on page 34.