Hong Kong Cuts Base Rate as HKMA Follows U.S. Federal Reserve Move 
Brazil Holds Selic Rate at 15% as Inflation Expectations Stay Elevated 
Indonesia–U.S. Tariff Talks Near Completion as Both Sides Push for Year-End Deal 
Asian Stocks Slip Ahead of Fed Decision as China Deflation Concerns Deepen 
Fed’s Dovish Tone Sends Dollar Lower as Markets Price In More Rate Cuts 
Gold Prices Slip Slightly in Asia as Silver Nears Record Highs on Dovish Fed Outlook 
U.S. Dollar Slides for Third Straight Week as Rate Cut Expectations Boost Euro and Pound 
Asian Currencies Steady as Fed Delivers Hawkish Rate Cut; Aussie and Rupee Under Pressure 
Oil Prices Rebound in Asia as Venezuela Sanctions Risks Offset Ukraine Peace Hopes 
Gold Prices Dip as Markets Absorb Dovish Fed Outlook; Silver Eases After Record High 
Gold Prices Hold Firm as Markets Await Fed Rate Cut; Silver Surges to Record High 
Ireland Limits Planned Trade Ban on Israeli Settlements to Goods Only 
Japan Weighs New Tax Breaks to Boost Corporate Investment Amid Spending Debate 
Russia Stocks End Flat as Energy and Retail Shares Show Mixed Performance 
BOJ Expected to Deliver December Rate Hike as Economists See Borrowing Costs Rising Through 2025 
Fed Near Neutral Signals Caution Ahead, Shifting Focus to Fixed Income in 2026 
U.S. stock futures showed little movement on Wednesday evening after Wall Street closed lower, with investors awaiting crucial economic data that could shape the Federal Reserve’s policy outlook. By 20:18 ET (00:18 GMT), S&P 500 futures rose 0.1% to 6,701.0 points, Nasdaq 100 futures gained 0.1% to 24,768.75 points, and Dow Jones futures added 0.1% to 46,504.0 points.
In regular trading, major indexes slipped as technology stocks weighed on sentiment. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite fell 0.3% each, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 0.4%. The weakness came as investors grew cautious ahead of weekly jobless claims and the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) inflation report, the Fed’s preferred measure of price growth.
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, speaking earlier in the week, reiterated that there is “no risk-free path” in balancing inflation and labor market risks. He also warned that asset prices remain “fairly highly valued” and cautioned against assuming recent inflation progress ensures a smooth decline toward the Fed’s 2% target. His remarks reinforced expectations that the central bank will remain cautious in shifting monetary policy.
Markets are now focused on Thursday’s release of jobless claims, expected to show 233,000 initial claims for the week ended Sept. 20, slightly above the prior week’s 231,000. On Friday, the August PCE price index is forecast to reveal core inflation at 2.9% year-on-year, still above the Fed’s goal.
Meanwhile, sector performance highlighted ongoing market volatility. AI-related stocks including Nvidia and Oracle extended declines for a second day, while Micron Technology slipped despite reporting strong demand from artificial intelligence developers. In contrast, Intel surged over 6% following reports it approached Apple regarding a potential investment, offering a bright spot in the otherwise subdued session.
With key economic data ahead, investors remain reluctant to take big positions, waiting for clearer signals on the Fed’s next policy steps heading into year-end.
