Asian Stocks Rise as Investors Brace for Fed Rate Decision 
Oil Prices Surge as Houthi Attacks Raise Saudi Supply Fears 
Oil Prices Fall as U.S. Crude Inventories Rise, Middle East Risks Persist 
Hong Kong Unveils First Five-Year Plan to Boost Finance, Tech and Housing 
Gold Prices Steady as Oil Disruptions Boost Fed Rate Hike Bets 
Gold Prices Slip as Fed Rate Hike Looms, Treasury Yields Rise 
US Futures Fall as Fed Meeting, Oil Surge Rattle Markets 
UK Inflation Rises to 3.1% Ahead of BoE Rate Decision 
Asian Currencies Subdued as Yen Slides Ahead of Fed, BOJ Decisions 
China’s Slower Loan Growth Becomes ‘New Normal’ as Credit Demand Weakens 
Asian Bank Stocks Slide as BofA Warning and Rising Yields Hit Sentiment 
Asian Currencies Mixed as Dollar Holds Gains After Fed Rate Hike 
Oil Prices Fall as Saudi Supply Improves, Middle East Fears Ease 
Vietnam, U.S. Firms Plan 29 Deals Across Energy, Tech and Aviation 
German 2-Year Yield Hits 2023 High as Rate Hike Bets Rise 
Saudi Arabia Raises Security Alerts as Houthi Attacks Threaten Oil Routes 
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Asian currencies traded mixed on Thursday as the U.S. dollar hovered near a seven-week high following the Federal Reserve’s first interest-rate hike in three years. Meanwhile, the Japanese yen remained near a two-week low ahead of the Bank of Japan’s closely watched policy decision.
The U.S. Dollar Index held around 100.30 after gaining 0.7% overnight. The Fed unanimously raised its benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points to 3.75%-4.00%, with policymakers projecting another increase this year. Rate futures indicate roughly a 90% probability of an additional 25-basis-point hike by year-end.
Markets increasingly expect the next Fed rate hike at the December 9 meeting rather than October 28. Fed Chair Kevin Warsh maintained his opposition to forward guidance and declined to provide his own rate projections.
The Japanese yen remained under pressure, with USD/JPY trading near 156.08 after reaching 156.32 earlier. Investors expect the BOJ to raise rates on Friday to their highest level in 31 years as persistent inflation and elevated oil prices strengthen the case for tighter monetary policy. Traders will closely monitor Governor Kazuo Ueda’s comments for clues about future rate increases.
Sterling was also in focus ahead of the Bank of England’s policy decision, with GBP/USD near 1.3377 and close to a six-week low. The European Central Bank raised its three key interest rates by 25 basis points last week amid renewed inflation risks from higher energy prices and Middle East tensions.
China’s yuan remained relatively stable, with USD/CNY and USD/CNH around 6.71. Beijing has expanded its onshore foreign-exchange clearing system to support more direct trading between foreign currencies and the yuan, part of efforts to increase the currency’s international use.
Elsewhere in Asia, USD/KRW gained 0.2% to 1,379.63 and USD/IDR climbed 0.6% to 17,755.1. USD/MYR rose 0.4%, while USD/INR declined 0.2%. The Singapore dollar strengthened slightly, while the Australian dollar gained 0.3% against the greenback.
