After the strong tensions linked to the Russian crisis, the markets are stabilizing and awaiting the decisions of the Fed expected for tonight. The negative closure on Wall Street, due to a retreat in high tech prices, did not affect Asian markets too much.
The Chinese Stock Exchange, which held prices high yesterday too, is correcting slightly, while the Nikkei benefited from a modest depreciation of the yen, which stands at 117 against the dollar. The euro also gained something against the US currency and is trading just below 1,25. After yesterday's collapse, the ruble corrected, as expected, from 78 to 71 against the dollar.
The crisis in Russia has made us think that the central bank will have to sell gold, and that was enough to push the quotations back below 1200 (1198 $/ounce).
As far as oil is concerned, the Russian energy minister supports OPEC's position and in Dubai he declared (Russia is the world's largest producer) that he will not cut production and will let the price stabilize on its own. The price, however, started to fall again and WTI crude oil stands at 54,8 $/b (59,3 for Brent).
Wall Street futures climbed 0,2% in the early Japanese afternoon.
