Macro Briefing: 8 February 2022

* Putin hints at possible thaw in Ukraine tensions after meeting France’s Macron
* Biden: Germany’s gas line from Russia won’t operate if Putin invades Ukraine
* Goldman’s head of commodities research says “We’re out of everything”
* Demand rising for dividend stocks amid outlook for slower growth, rising rates
* Hedging on US stocks at highest level in nearly two years
* Oil giant BP reports highest earnings in 8 years as commodity prices surge
* Meta is considering shutting down Facebook and Instagram in Europe
* Baltic Dry Index, a leading economic indicator, is close to lowest level in a year: