Hormuz Vessel Traffic Drops to Single Digits 
China Industrial Output Beats Forecasts as Exports Support Growth 
Finland Raises 2026 Growth Forecast as Exports and Investment Surge 
Asian Tech Stocks Slide as AI Concerns and Rising Bond Yields Hit Chipmakers 
Asian Stocks Steady as AI Shares Rebound Ahead of Fed Decision 
US Stock Futures Rise as Markets Brace for Fed Rate Hike 
Hong Kong Unveils First Five-Year Plan to Boost Finance, Tech and Housing 
Oil Prices Fall as U.S. Crude Inventories Rise, Middle East Risks Persist 
Gold Prices Fall as Hot U.S. Inflation Boosts Fed Rate Hike Bets 
Gold Prices Slip as Fed Rate Hike Looms, Treasury Yields Rise 
German 2-Year Yield Hits 2023 High as Rate Hike Bets Rise 
Japanese Yen Retreats as Dollar Rises Ahead of Fed, BOJ Rate Decisions 
UK Wage Growth Slows as BoE Rate Decision Looms 
Gold Prices Steady as Oil Disruptions Boost Fed Rate Hike Bets 
US Futures Fall as Fed Meeting, Oil Surge Rattle Markets 
Asian Stocks Rise as Investors Brace for Fed Rate Decision 
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U.S. stocks opened higher on Wednesday, snapping back after six declines in the previous seven sessions as easing oil prices provided some relief ahead of a closely watched Federal Reserve interest rate decision.
At 9:32 a.m. ET, the S&P 500 rose 0.2% to 7,604.25, while the Nasdaq Composite gained 0.4% to 26,091.95. The Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 0.1% to 52,122.26.
Wall Street had fallen in the previous session as U.S. Treasury yields surged toward two-decade highs. The bond market selloff followed a sharp rise in crude oil prices amid escalating Middle East tensions, fueling concerns that higher energy costs could keep inflation elevated and force the Fed to tighten monetary policy further.
The Federal Open Market Committee is widely expected to raise interest rates by 25 basis points, bringing the target range to 3.75%-4%. Such a move would mark the Fed’s first rate hike since 2023.
Expectations for higher rates have strengthened following signs of persistent inflation and resilience in the U.S. economy. August job growth significantly exceeded forecasts, suggesting the labor market remains strong enough to withstand tighter monetary conditions.
Fresh economic data on Wednesday reinforced that view. U.S. retail sales increased 1.2% month-over-month in August, beating expectations for a 0.8% gain and reversing July’s 0.5% decline.
With a rate increase largely priced into markets, investors are expected to focus on Fed Chair Kevin Warsh’s comments for clues about the future path of monetary policy.
Oil prices, meanwhile, pulled back after a two-day rally following an unexpectedly large increase in U.S. crude inventories. However, uncertainty surrounding Saudi Arabia’s closed East-West Pipeline kept energy markets on edge.
Technology stocks were also in focus. Intel shares jumped more than 5% after Reuters reported that SK Hynix was discussing potential U.S. memory-chip production with the semiconductor company. SK Hynix said various options were under review but stressed that no final decision had been made.
