ECB Signals Steady Interest Rates as Fed Risks Loom Over Outlook 
Bank of Japan Signals Cautious Path Toward Further Rate Hikes Amid Yen Weakness 
Federal Reserve Faces Subpoena Delay Amid Investigation Into Chair Jerome Powell 
Bank of England Expected to Hold Interest Rates at 3.75% as Inflation Remains Elevated 
Trump Administration Sued Over Suspension of Critical Hudson River Tunnel Funding 
Australian Scandium Project Backed by Richard Friedland Poised to Support U.S. Critical Minerals Stockpile 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.–Iran Talks Ease Supply Disruption Fears 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
BOJ Rate Decision in Focus as Yen Weakness and Inflation Shape Market Outlook 
MAS Holds Monetary Policy Steady as Strong Growth Raises Inflation Risks 
Gold Prices Rebound Near Key Levels as U.S.-Iran Tensions Boost Safe-Haven Demand 
The financial market participants are cautious on today’s speech by Lael Brainard, a member of the Federal Reserve board of Governors. Some newswire and analysts go ahead in calling it this year’s most closely watched speech from a Federal Reserve Governor, other than Chair Janet Yellen’s. She is scheduled to speak at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs on the economic outlook and monetary policy at 13:15 ET or around 17:00 GMT. She is popularly known for her dovish remarks and caution towards interest rate increase.
Her speech was not formally scheduled until last Thursday, which has led to the speculation that she might change her usual tone as it would be Federal Reserve’s last chance to prepare the market for a rate hike next week at the FOMC meeting.
With so much speculation, it is best to prepare for some high volatility surrounding the speech.
