Pizza Hut Brings Up The Heat With New Spicy Pizza

American fast Food chain Yum! Brands, Inc.’s (YUM) Pizza Hut is launching a spicy pizza for a limited period. The pizza, named “Spicy Lover’s Pizza” will have three variations and will be available from Thursday.

According to the company, the basic ingredients of the pie will be spicy marinara sauce, two types of pepperoni (classic and crispy cupped), red jalapeño peppers, crushed chili peppers, and some special herbs. The customers will have Double Pepperoni, Chicken, and Pineapple, and an all-veggie pizza to choose from. The veggies will include bell peppers, onions, and mushrooms. Prices will open at $12.99 for a large serving.

According to a third-party report published by a food-oriented research firm, Technomic, 80% of restaurant-goers enjoy spicy food options. The firm has also stated that the spicy flavors usually entice the younger generation more. Pizza Hut is expecting to expand its customer base with the help of this addition. Recently, the chain said that it has seen just a 2% hike in the US in its latest quarter.

Pizza Hut is not the only chain to “spice” things up. Arby’s has claimed that it has the spiciest sandwich on the market while Shake Shak (SHAK) has also introduced buffalo chicken sandwich and buffalo spiced fries in its menu. Wendy’s, McDonald’s, Burger King, and other major fast-food chains have joined in on the act.

Swiss gold exports to China and India hit multi-year highs

Demand recovered in 2021 in biggest consumer markets

Swiss gold exports rose last year to their highest since 2018 as demand for bullion in China and India, the biggest consumer markets, recovered from a collapse early in the COVID-19 pandemic, Swiss customs data showed.

The coronavirus crisis upended the bullion market in 2020, hammering jewellery sales while triggering a rush among investors to stockpile gold, which is traditionally seen as a safe place to store wealth. Switzerland is the world’s largest gold refining centre and transit hub. Its trade data showed a 2020 plunge in exports to Asia, where most gold is sold as jewellery, and huge shipments to the U.S. and Britain, where investors cluster. In 2021, exports to India surged to 507 tonnes, up from 148 tonnes in 2020 and the most since 2015.

Shipments to mainland China reached 275 tonnes, up from 30.5 tonnes in 2020 and the highest since 2018.

Exports to Hong Kong rose to 79 tonnes, up from 27 tonnes in 2020 and the highest since 2018. The data suggests a weaker demand recovery in China than in India. Between 2012, when Swiss figures became available, and 2019, Switzerland exported 400 tonnes of gold a year on average to India and about 600 tonnes a year to mainland China and Hong Kong combined.

Swiss shipments of gold to the U.S. fell to 113 tonnes in 2021 from 508 tonnes in 2020. Exports to Britain declined to 76 tonnes from 130 tonnes.

Oil Futures Settle Modestly Higher

Crude oil futures settled modestly higher on Friday, with prices climbing up amid concerns of tight supplies.

Rising geopolitical concerns and limited output increases by major crude producers amid a surge in fuel demand contributed to the uptick in oil prices.

West Texas Intermediate Crude oil futures for March ended higher by $0.21 or about 0.2% at $88.82 a barrel. WTI futures, which rose to the highest level in over seven years, gained about 2% in the week.

Brent crude futures are up $0.50 or 0.56% at $88.67 a barrel.

On the geopolitical front, Russia said it was clear the United States was not willing to address its main security concerns in their standoff over Ukraine.

The U.S. and its allies are reportedly hoping that Russia will study their responses and come back to the negotiating table.

A report from Baker Hughes showed the the number of active U.S. rigs drilling for oil was up by four to 495 this week. The total active U.S. rig count, which includes those drilling for natural gas, climbed by six to 610, according to the report.

Traders now look ahead to the meeting of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies, together known as OPEC+. The meeting is scheduled to take place on February 2.

It is widely expected that the group will stick to its current agreement to raise monthly production by 400,000 barrels at the upcoming meeting.

Meanwhile, analysts say that crude oil imports in China, the world’s biggest importer of the commodity, could rebound by 6-7% this year, reversing 2021’s rare decline.

European Economics Preview: Eurozone Flash Composite PMI Data Due

Purchasing Managers’ survey results from euro area are due on Monday, headlining a light day for the European economic news.

At 3.15 am ET, IHS Markit releases France flash Purchasing Managers’ survey results. The flash composite output index is forecast to fall to 54.5 in January from 55.8 in the previous month.

At 3.30 am ET, Germany flash composite PMI survey data is due. Economists expect the indicator to drop to 49.2 in January from 49.9 a month ago.

Half an hour later, IHS Markit is scheduled to issue Eurozone flash PMI report. The composite output index is seen at 52.6 in January, down from 53.3 a month ago.

At 4.30 am ET, UK Markit/CIPS composite PMI survey results are due. Economists forecast the index to rise to 55.0 in January from 53.6 in December.

At 6.00 am ET, Bundesbank is set to issue monthly report.

Capital One Financial Corp. Q4 Profit beats estimates

Capital One Financial Corp. (COF) revealed earnings for fourth quarter that beat the Street estimates.

The company’s earnings came in at $2.30 billion, or $5.41 per share. This compares with $2.46 billion, or $5.35 per share, in last year’s fourth quarter.

Analysts on average had expected the company to earn $5.30 per share, according to figures compiled by Thomson Reuters. Analysts’ estimates typically exclude special items.

The company’s revenue for the quarter rose 10.6% to $8.12 billion from $7.34 billion last year.

Capital One Financial Corp. earnings at a glance (GAAP) :

-Earnings (Q4): $2.30 Bln. vs. $2.46 Bln. last year.
-EPS (Q4): $5.41 vs. $5.35 last year.
-Analyst Estimates: $5.30
-Revenue (Q4): $8.12 Bln vs. $7.34 Bln last year.