The Turkish central bank raised its overnight lending rate to 12 percent from 7.75 percent and the overnight borrowing rate to 8 percent from 3.5 percent late Tuesday, in a surprisingly strong move to defend the country’s embattled currency.
The lira immediately strengthened to 2.2 to the dollar from 2.253 after the decision. The rate hike was much sharper than expected; eight economists polled by the Wall Street Journal had expected an increase of three percentage points at the most.
Dow futures spiked 150 points on the closely watched move, while Asia equity markets were expected to open higher with the strong action by Turkey seen lifting investor sentiment.
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