Federal Reserve (FED) news

The Federal Reserve (FED) is the central banking system in the US. It manages monetary policy to maintain price stability and promote maximum employment. It primarily uses the federal funds rate and open market operations to influence interest rates and the money supply, impacting the US economy and global markets. It also provides forward guidance to shape market expectations.

Asia open: S&P 500 rally pauses before Fed, Nikkei 225 eyeing 70,000, crude oil plunges to 3-month low

Global markets paused ahead of the Federal Reserve’s June policy decision as investors await the debut of Fed Chair Kevin Warsh. The S&P 500 retreated while the Nasdaq 100 fell nearly 2% amid semiconductor weakness. Meanwhile, crude oil plunged to a three-month low as a US-Iran peace agreement and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz moved closer to reality. The Dow Jones hit a record high as investors rotated from technology stocks into financials and industrials.

17-06-2026 02:07 GMT by Kelvin Wong

Asia open: Hang Seng underperforms on weak China’s retail sales, USD/JPY firmed above 159.75 after BoJ

Global markets rallied after the US and Iran agreed to a 60-day ceasefire framework and the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. The Nasdaq 100 surged 3%, the Dow Jones hit a record high, and crude oil plunged below US$85 per barrel as geopolitical risk premiums evaporated. Investors rotated back into technology stocks amid renewed optimism over AI infrastructure spending, while attention now turns to the Federal Reserve’s June policy meeting under new Chair Kevin Warsh.

16-06-2026 04:57 GMT by Kelvin Wong