Page 31 - Frx News Today

Fresh turbulence in U.S. banks and debt ceiling woes in Washington suggest recent stability in world markets will most certainly be put to the test in May.

A look at the day ahead in U.S. and global markets from Mike Dolan

A Washington stalemate on whether to increase the U.S. debt ceiling has raised the risk of a default as early as June and threatens a fresh rout in financial markets.

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) raised its main policy rate on Thursday, following the U.S. Federal Reserve's move, even as weakness in its pegged currency forced the de facto central bank to deplete banking system cash to 15-year lows.

A look at the day ahead in Asian markets from Jamie McGeever.

The dollar slipped against most major currencies on Thursday after the U.S. Federal Reserve opened the door to a pause in its aggressive tightening cycle, though markets were buffeted by risk aversion amid a rout in regional U.S. bank shares.

Global stock markets sagged while the Japanese yen rose on Thursday in reaction to the Fed's policy statement and signs of stress at another U.S. regional bank, spurring investors to price in a pivot rather than just a pause in rate rises.

A look at the day ahead in European and global markets from Vidya Ranganathan.

The Federal Reserve raised interest rates by a quarter percentage point and hinted it may be the final move in the most aggressive tightening campaign since the 1980s as economic risks mount.

The South African rand firmed in early trade on Thursday, as the U.S. dollar fell against most major currencies following comments from the Federal Reserve that suggested it may stop hiking rates.