The opening of stocks today is mixed. Investors continue to worry about the status of the world economy ahead of next week's vital meetings.

The opening of the stock markets on Thursday is mixed as investors worry about the status of the world economy ahead of next week's significant central bank meetings.

Investors are likely to remain uneasy as the week draws to a close because senior bank executives' pessimistic predictions that tightening monetary conditions would probably cause a global recession in 2023 have alarmed the market.

The U.S. Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank both have policy-setting meetings the following week, and both are anticipated to raise interest rates once more to combat the inflation that is still at high levels.

The Federal Reserve is anticipated to raise interest rates by 50 basis points starting next week. While this would be a lesser rise than recent rate increases, investors are growing anxious that this would just result in a lengthier rate-hike cycle.

A hawkish faction inside the ECB is pushing for a third consecutive increase of 75 basis points despite the fact that inflation in the Eurozone dropped for the first time in 18 months. The ECB is also expected to raise interest rates by 50 basis points.

This week brought some positive news as Chinese officials decided to loosen a number of COVID regulations, potentially boosting the second-largest economy in the world and a key export market for European businesses.

Thursday's economic schedule is rather light, although appearances by several central bankers, notably ECB president Christine Lagarde, will be closely watched.

Crude oil prices increased on Thursday, recovering from their lowest levels of the year, though gains are shaky as worries about a recession in the global economy mount.

Data released on Wednesday showed that U.S. inventories fell more than anticipated last week, while China's relaxation of its COVID mobility restrictions further boosted the market's mood.

However, concerns about rising demand, notably from the U.S. market, the largest consumer in the world, continue to have a significant impact on the price of crude.

(Sources: investing.com, reuters.com)