Greetings,
United States: Capital Economics does not see the Fed slowing rate hikes in 2023. This forecast diverges from market expectations.
![The Daily Shot Brief – December 22nd, 2021](https://thedailyshot.com/wp-content/uploads/US-Capital-Economics-does-not-see-the-Fed-slowing-rate-hikes-in-2023-the-market-does2112230436.png)
United Kingdom: UK hospitalization data suggest that omicron may be less dangerous than previous COVID variants.
![The Daily Shot Brief – December 22nd, 2021](https://thedailyshot.com/wp-content/uploads/UK-Hospitalization-data-suggest-that-omicron-may-be-less-dangerous-than-previous-COVID-variants2112230436.png)
China: China has captured the vast majority of the post-pandemic increase in global trade.
![The Daily Shot Brief – December 22nd, 2021](https://thedailyshot.com/wp-content/uploads/CH-Trade-v-ROW2112230436.png)
Equities: Most-shorted shares have been underperforming this month as the Reddit crowd pulls back.
![The Daily Shot Brief – December 22nd, 2021](https://thedailyshot.com/wp-content/uploads/EQ-Short-interest22112230436.png)
We can see the retail investor retreat from the underperformance of stocks with the highest options volumes.
![The Daily Shot Brief – December 22nd, 2021](https://thedailyshot.com/wp-content/uploads/EQ-Options-Activity2112230436.png)
Short interest across the US stock market continues to drop (Russell 3000 = broad market index).
![The Daily Shot Brief – December 22nd, 2021](https://thedailyshot.com/wp-content/uploads/EQ-Short-interest2112230436.png)
Global Developments: Profit margins are well above historical averages in almost every region.
![The Daily Shot Brief – December 22nd, 2021](https://thedailyshot.com/wp-content/uploads/GL-Profit-margins2112230436.png)
Food for Thought: Largest social media platforms, based on active global users:
![The Daily Shot Brief – December 22nd, 2021](https://thedailyshot.com/wp-content/uploads/VTT-Largest-social-media-platforms-based-on-active-global-users2112230436.png)
Edited by Daniel Moskovits
Contact the Daily Shot Editor: Editor@DailyShotLetter.com