The markets today showed that they welcomed the Fed's decision to leave rates unchanged, interpreting Powell's words as less aggressive than one might have feared.
Equity benchmarks improved across the region, from Sydney to Hong Kong, with technology companies leading the way.
The South Korean won pushed emerging market currencies higher, while the yen also appreciated.
US stock futures rise.
The rebound indicated relief among asset investors who had been hit by expectations of higher U.S.
rates for a longer period.
While leaving the door open for another hike, Chairman Jerome Powell indicated that a pause gives the central bank time to evaluate whether more needs to be done to contain inflation.
Europe is also preparing for a positive opening, with EUROSTOXX 50 futures rising.
The Bank of England meets today and markets suspect that its tightening cycle is also coming to an end.
What is happening in the markets today and what factors to observe to monitor stock exchanges and assets.
read also Fed meeting, rates still stuck at 5.50%.
But they could increase, Powell's words Markets celebrate Powell's words: what to watch today Asian stocks and bonds continued their global rally, even if Chinese indices closed the session lower.
MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan rose 1.6%, the biggest daily jump since late July.
Tokyo's Nikkei gained, closing trade with +1.20%.
Overnight, the Fed kept the key rate stable in the current range of 5.25% to 5.50%.
While Chairman Jerome Powell did not rule out another hike, markets felt it was not as aggressive as it could have been.
Federal funds futures rallied as markets reduced the risk of a December hike to around 20% and a January hike to 25%.
Markets have priced in a 70% chance that the tightening is over and that rate cuts could amount to 85 basis points next year, starting in June.
The US stock indexes all increased.
The yield on benchmark 10-year Treasury bonds fell another basis point, hitting its lowest in more than two weeks.
It fell 14 basis points overnight, the biggest daily drop since March, thanks in part to the Treasury's announcement that the government will slow increases in the size of its longer-term auctions.
Lower Treasury yields weighed on the dollar, which weakened against major currencies, and helped support the yen.
The Japanese currency strengthened early Thursday, extending Wednesday's gains.
Fed Chair Jerome Powell noted that financial conditions have “tightened significantly in recent months driven by, among other factors, higher long-term bond yields.” Powell repeatedly said the committee was moving “carefully,” wording that often signaled a low likelihood of any immediate change in policy.
He also said risks to the outlook have become more two-sided as the tightening campaign nears its end.
read also The USA is not in recession (for now).
And that's a problem for the Fed.
At this point, markets await two major events.
First, Apple's results, an indicator of consumer and technology demand.
The Cupertino, California-based company is expected to report a 1% decline in quarterly revenue on the day.
Then, there will be US nonfarm payrolls data on Friday, which analysts say will show the economy added 180,000 jobs in October, slowing from a gain of 336,000 the previous month.
This will come after mixed data showed strong job opportunities and slower-than-expected payroll growth in the private sector.
Lucca Comics 2024: Dates, Tickets, and Program The countdown has begun for the most anticipated… Read More
Decree-Law No.145/2024: Overview of the Flux Decree The Decree-Law of October 11, 2024, No.145, known… Read More
ECB Keeps Interest Rates Steady Amid Eurozone Resilience The hopes of Italy for a significant… Read More