ANZ and Westpac Forecast Two RBA Rate Hikes in March and May 2026 
Asian Stocks Drop Amid Iran War Fears and BOJ Rate Hike Signals 
Goldman Sachs Raises ECB Rate Hike Forecast Amid Persistent Energy-Driven Inflation 
Gold Prices Rise Amid Geopolitical Tensions and Safe Haven Demand 
Aluminum Prices Surge Toward Four-Year Highs After Gulf Smelter Strikes 
Bessent: Global Oil Market Well Supplied as U.S. Eyes Hormuz Navigation Control 
Middle East Conflict Drives Dollar Surge as Yen Hits Critical Threshold 
Asia Markets Tumble as Gulf Conflict Drives Oil Prices to Historic Highs 
Paraguay Central Bank Holds Interest Rate at 5.5% Amid Slowing Growth 
China Holds Benchmark Loan Prime Rate Steady for Tenth Consecutive Month 
Russell 1000 Companies Hit $2.2T Cash Record While Aggressively Reinvesting in Growth 
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.
