Oman Proposes Strait of Hormuz Plan as U.S., Iran Remain Divided Over Shipping Fees 
Oil Prices Jump 4% as Iran Missile Strike Revives Middle East Supply Fears 
US Stock Futures Rally as Oil Prices Drop Ahead of Fed Meeting and Big Tech Earnings 
Gold Prices Rise as Weak Dollar, Fed Rate Decision in Focus 
Australia Inflation Cools as Core CPI Misses Forecasts, Easing RBA Rate Hike Pressure 
Asian Markets Rise as Oil Prices Fall Ahead of Fed, BOE, BOJ Meetings 
Chile Central Bank Holds Interest Rate at 4.5% as Inflation and Global Risks Persist 
RBA Signals More Rate Hikes Possible as Australia Battles Stubborn Inflation 
India GDP Growth Forecast Cut as Weak Investment, High Oil Prices Weigh on Economy 
US Dollar Slips Ahead of Fed Decision as Oil Prices Ease Inflation Fears 
Gold Price Slips as Stronger Dollar, Fed Rate Decision Weigh on Market 
Japan PM Sanae Takaichi Plans Temporary Food Tax Cut to Ease Inflation Pressure 
US Stock Futures Slip Ahead of Big Tech Earnings, Fed Decision as Nvidia Leads Chip Selloff 
Oil Prices Extend Slide as U.S.-Iran Talks Ease Middle East Supply Fears 
Gold Prices Fall 1% Ahead of Fed Decision as Markets Watch Warsh, Iran Talks 
Eurozone Bond Yields Fall as Oil Slump Eases Inflation Fears Ahead of Central Bank Meetings 
Asian stock markets rebounded on Wednesday after suffering steep losses in the previous session, as investors weighed strong earnings from South Korean chipmaker SK Hynix against lingering concerns over artificial intelligence valuations, geopolitical tensions, and the Federal Reserve’s upcoming interest rate decision.
South Korea’s KOSPI rose more than 1% after plunging over 10% on Tuesday, with SK Hynix shares gaining 2% despite the company reporting quarterly results that fell short of elevated market expectations. The memory chip giant posted a more than sixfold jump in operating profit, supported by continued demand for AI-related semiconductors, helping ease concerns surrounding the sector.
The broader recovery extended across the region, with MSCI’s Asia-Pacific index outside Japan climbing 0.8% after a sharp 3.6% decline a day earlier. Japan’s Nikkei 225 also advanced about 1%, although the benchmark remains on track for a double-digit monthly loss as investors reassess AI-related valuations.
Market participants are now focused on earnings from Microsoft and Meta Platforms, which are expected to provide fresh insight into AI spending trends after disappointing cash flow reports from Alphabet and Tesla unsettled investors last week.
Analysts said the market appears to be rotating between sectors rather than entering a broad risk-off phase, though volatility is expected to remain elevated ahead of the Fed’s policy announcement.
Meanwhile, oil prices surged more than 3% after Iran launched ballistic missiles targeting U.S. forces in the Middle East. Although U.S. Central Command said all missiles were intercepted, the renewed tensions reignited concerns over supply disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global energy shipping route.
Brent crude climbed to around $86.80 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) traded near $81.95, adding to inflation concerns just hours before the Fed’s decision.
Markets largely expect the Federal Reserve to leave interest rates unchanged, but uncertainty remains high under Chair Kevin Warsh’s limited forward guidance. Futures markets currently assign roughly a one-third probability of a rate hike, with some analysts arguing that rising energy prices could strengthen the case for tighter monetary policy.
