Russia Launches Deadly Missile Strikes Across Ukraine

Three people were reported killed in widespread missile and drone attacks that Russia launched across Ukraine Friday morning.

Reports quoting Ukrainian Air Force spokesman Yurii Inhat said Russian forces fired 60 missiles within the space of a few hours. Their targets included capital Kyiv, Odesa, Kherson, Poltava, Zhytmoyr, Kharkiv, Sumy and Zaporizhzhia.

Tu95 strategic bombers were used for the first time since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24.

“For the first time, the occupiers used Tu95 strategic bombers from the area where those aircraft are located, from the Engels area. In addition, there were launches from the north of the Caspian Sea,” Inhat said.

Two people were killed when the strikes hit a residential building in Kryvyi Rih, the largest city in central Ukraine.

A third casualty was reported in Kherson.

The country’s nine power generation facilities were damaged in the attacks, according to Ukrainian Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko.

Ihor Terekhov, the mayor of Kharkiv said the city is in blackout. There was “no electricity, no heating and no water.”

Kyiv city officials claimed its air defense systems shot down dozens of missiles aimed at the city.

Russia has intensified attacks since October, targeting Ukraine’s energy system and civilian infrastructure, causing power outages in the freezing winter.

Franco-Nevada Slides After Announcing Suspension Of Operation At Cobre Panama

Franco-Nevada Corp. (FNV) shares are sliding more than 3 percent on Friday morning trade after the company said it is aware of the Government of Panama’s direction to various ministries to prepare for a suspension of operations at Cobre Panama. Further, the company said it is in communication with its partner First Quantum Minerals Ltd and it will provide updates.

Currently, shares are at $133.42, down 3.16 percent from the previous close of $137.78 on a volume of 390,134.

Gold Glitters Amidst Global Gloom

Prices of the yellow metal rebounded on Friday even as world markets reconcile to the prospect of central banks raising rates further and triggering a painful recession.

Gold Futures for February Settlement rebounded 0.40 percent to $1,794.90. Prices oscillated between $1,784.00 and $1,795.35.

Spot Gold also added 0.44 percent to trade at $1,784.65 per troy ounce. The day’s range has been between $1,774.43 and $1,785.44.

The Dollar Index, which measures the strength of the Dollar against a basket of 6 currencies edged 0.01 percent lower to 104.55, versus 104.56 a day earlier, lending support to the yellow metal’s rebound.

Gold’s gains on Friday are in sharp contrast to the downward movements in stocks, crude oil, commodities and cryptocurrencies which appeared overwhelmed by the enormity of the interest rate hikes ahead.

The yellow metal is however on course for a weekly loss, prompted by the hawkish stance of the Fed in the recent review. Whilst the Fed was expected to progress on its announced intention to moderate interest rate increases, its unexpected warning about a higher peak for interest rates jolted markets and triggered risk aversion.

Russia Launches Deadly Missile Strikes Across Ukraine

Three people were reported killed in widespread missile and drone attacks that Russia launched across Ukraine Friday morning.

Reports quoting Ukrainian Air Force spokesman Yurii Inhat said Russian forces fired 60 missiles within the space of a few hours. Their targets included capital Kyiv, Odesa, Kherson, Poltava, Zhytmoyr, Kharkiv, Sumy and Zaporizhzhia.

Tu95 strategic bombers were used for the first time since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24.

“For the first time, the occupiers used Tu95 strategic bombers from the area where those aircraft are located, from the Engels area. In addition, there were launches from the north of the Caspian Sea,” Inhat said.

Two people were killed when the strikes hit a residential building in Kryvyi Rih, the largest city in central Ukraine.

A third casualty was reported in Kherson.

The country’s nine power generation facilities were damaged in the attacks, according to Ukrainian Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko.

Ihor Terekhov, the mayor of Kharkiv said the city is in blackout. There was “no electricity, no heating and no water.”

Kyiv city officials claimed its air defense systems shot down dozens of missiles aimed at the city.

Russia has intensified attacks since October, targeting Ukraine’s energy system and civilian infrastructure, causing power outages in the freezing winter.

European Economic News Preview: UK GDP & Foreign Trade Data Due

GDP monthly estimates and foreign trade figures are the top economic news due on Monday, headlining a light day for the European economic news.

At 1.00 am ET, Finland’s current account data is due for October.

At 2.00 am ET, the Office for National Statistics publishes UK monthly GDP, industrial production and foreign trade data. The economy is forecast to grow 0.4 percent on a monthly basis in October, in contrast to the 0.6 percent contraction a month ago.

The UK visible trade deficit is seen almost unchanged at GBP 15.65 billion in October.

At 3.00 am ET, the Czech Statistical Office publishes consumer prices data for November. Inflation is expected to rise to 15.6 percent in November from 15.1 percent in October.

At 8.00 am ET, the UK monthly GDP tracker is due from the National Institute of Economic and Social Research.

Guardant Health Falls 30%

Shares of Guardant Health, Inc. (GH) are sliding more than 30 percent on Friday morning trade after the company reported 83 percent sensitivity for its blood-based screening test of colorectal cancer. The rivals for the company has recorded higher sensitivity and according to reports analysts were looking for higher sensitivity.

Currently, shares are at $28.83, down 30.12 percent from the previous close of $41.26 on a volume of 5,516,115.