* Fed hints at several rate hikes for 2022 to fight inflation
* Study finds Omicron variant infects dramatically faster with less severe effects
* Leaders of China and Russia show united front amid rising tensions with US
* Eurozone growth slows to 9-month low in December via PMI survey data
* Omicron variant weighs on UK growth in December, PMI survey data shows
* Homebuilder sentiment in US continued rebounding in December
* Business activity continued to grow “strongly” in December: NY Fed Mfg Index
* US retail sales slowed in November, rising at pace well below expectations: