Bitcoin below $50,000, at early October levels, after weekend’s battering

Bitcoin hovered around $49,000 on Monday, down 1.5% on the day, as traders nursed losses after a brutal weekend in which the price of the world’s largest digital asset at one point lost over one fifth of its value.
U.S. & European stock futures rise, oil bounces

U.S. and European stocks futures moved higher on Monday as Asian markets lagged, while bonds surrendered some of their recent gains and oil rallied as Saudi Arabia lifted its crude prices.
Google delays mandatory return to office beyond Jan. 10

Alphabet Inc’s (GOOGL.O) Google said on Thursday it is indefinitely pushing back its January return-to-office plan globally amid growing concerns over the Omicron variant of the coronavirus and some resistance to company-mandated vaccinations.
Omicron marches on as Biden prepares U.S. for grim winter

Australia, despite restrictions on international visitors, became the latest country on Friday to report community transmission of Omicron, a day after the coronavirus variant was found locally in five U.S. states.
U.S., Germany plan new restrictions as Omicron rattles investors

The United States and Germany joined countries around the globe planning stricter COVID-19 restrictions on Thursday as the new Omicron variant rattled markets, fearful it could choke a tentative economic recovery from the pandemic.
Asian shares tick up but Omicron worries leave markets on edge

Asian shares edged higher in choppy trading on Thursday, helped by advances in Chinese real estate shares, though fears about the Omicron variant of the new coronavirus capped gains regionally.
Asian factories shake off supply headaches but Omicron presents new risks

Asian factory activity grew in November as crippling supply bottlenecks eased, but rising input costs and renewed weakness in China dampened the region’s prospects for an early, sustained recovery from pandemic paralysis.
Global airlines prepare for Omicron-induced volatility

Airlines are bracing for a fresh round of volatility due to the Omicron variant of COVID-19 that could force them to adjust schedules and destinations at short notice and to rely more on domestic markets where possible, analysts say.
Analysis: History says expect strong December for U.S. stocks, despite Omicron and Fed worries

A pileup of risks into year-end has some investors gauging whether December will continue its historical trend of a strong stock performance, even as markets face of worries over the Omicron coronavirus variant and a more hawkish Federal Reserve.
Futures slump on fresh Omicron worries after vaccine warning

U.S. stock index futures fell sharply on Tuesday after a warning from vaccine maker Moderna’s chief executive on the effectiveness of COVID-19 shots against the Omicron variant hammered travel, energy and banking shares.