Falling Nordic inflation figures 

Global markets will be hotly awaiting the decision of the European Central Bank on interest rate changes due on Thursday. Markets may see it as a no-win situation: raising interest rates could indicate further economic difficulties, whilst pausing the hikes might suggest that they’re not doing enough to tackle inflation. With Norway announcing a surprise slowing in inflation this morning, from 6.3% to 4.8%, and Danish results also showing the biggest drop in two years, slowing inflation in the region can only be a good sign.

Markets await Oracle’s earnings announcements

The tech sector took a wobble last week on the back of rising tensions between the US and China, as Apple’s shares plummeted on the back of China’s ban of iPhones. That being said, Oracle’s earnings announcements this week could start the week on the positive note that the sector really needs. The company has gone from strength to strength, with their share price up by 10% for last week alone and up over 55% year to date. 

El Salvador and Bitcoin’s two year anniversary 

It’s been two years since El Salvador became the first country to take Bitcoin as a recognised legal tender. Pressure from international agencies like the IMF (International Monetary Fund) could have derailed the whole project, but the current government in power is driving change and remains focused on economic and social policies, as well as this Bitcoin project. After initially adopting Bitcoin, the El Salvadoran government bonds were downgraded to ‘junk’ status. However, they’ve continued to make payments and have not defaulted as the name might suggest. Only time will tell if the success of Bitcoin adoption in the central American nation will continue across the globe. 

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Sources: Nasdaq, Bloomberg, Financial Times, Reuters