• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

Social Security's 2032 deadline puts a 22% cut on the table — but Washington has way less room to negotiate than 1983

2

CEO of $20 billion AI firm Perplexity says the secret to success is ‘sleeping with that fear’ that your competitor will steal your idea

3

Iran proved it can close the Strait of Hormuz, but the U.S. is advertising very loudly that the world's top superpower can at least punch open a hole

1

Social Security's 2032 deadline puts a 22% cut on the table — but Washington has way less room to negotiate than 1983

2

CEO of $20 billion AI firm Perplexity says the secret to success is ‘sleeping with that fear’ that your competitor will steal your idea

3

Iran proved it can close the Strait of Hormuz, but the U.S. is advertising very loudly that the world's top superpower can at least punch open a hole
FinanceFederal Reserve

World Markets Rally on Soothing Federal Reserve Comments

By
Reuters
Reuters
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Reuters
Reuters
Down Arrow Button Icon
September 22, 2016, 5:27 AM ET
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

World shares and bonds rallied on Thursday, after the Federal Reserve left U.S. interest rates unchanged and slowed the pace of future hikes, weakening the dollar and lifting commodity prices.

European markets followed Wall Street and Asia’s lead with Britain’s FTSE 100 climbing 0.6% and Germany’s AX and France’s CAC 40 both rising a full 1%.

Oil and commodities firms gained the most as oil and metal prices rose, while the weakened dollar made the climbing easy for the euro, pound and Swiss franc.

The yen was also at four-week high against the greenback and the overnight drop in U.S. government bond yields saw German Bund yields move decisively back into negative territory.

“The looser for longer message from the Fed and the lowering of the median point of rate rise projections is seen as a plus for risk assets as can been seen in global equities,” said fund manager GAM’s head of multi-asset portfolios, Larry Hatheway.

See also: Former EU Antitrust Chief Is Named in Bahamas Tax Haven Leaks

The Fed did signal it could hike rates by year-end as the labor market improved further, but cut the number of rate increases expected in 2017 and 2018. It also reduced its longer-run interest rate forecast to 2.9% from 3%.

That left investors feeling any tightening would be glacial at best. Market pricing for a December move rose only a fraction to 59.3%, from 59.2%, according to CME Group’s FedWatch tool.

Richard Franulovich, an analyst at Westpac, noted that back in June the median ‘dot plot’ — the rate moves expected by the Fed’s members — showed five hikes to end-2017. Now it is down to just three.

“We do not feel that the dollar has the wherewithal to make a more concerted run higher in the next few weeks,” he added. “The FOMC is unlikely to deliver anything more than a very ‘dovish’ December hike.”

Before that also comes the uncertainty of U.S. elections, added GAM’s Hatheway.

See also: NZ’s Central Bank Stands Pat But Keeps the Door Open to Easing

Another central bank struggling with too-low inflation is the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, which held rates steady on Thursday but renewed a pledge to cut again even as much of the domestic economy grows briskly.

The RBNZ’s blunt statement that further easing would be needed knocked the local dollar down 0.2% to $0.7334 , but the market has found it hard to sell a currency that still offers an overnight interest rate of 2%.

Commodities Climb

The Australian dollar countered its Antipodean cousin, edging up to an almost two-week high of $0.7641 after new Reserve Bank of Australia Governor Philip Lowe said interest rate cuts and a weaker currency are helping the economy, but that it was “not particularly useful” to keep cutting rates in the hope that it will eventually lift growth.

In commodity markets, gold traded down 0.3% at $1,332.63 an ounce, having climbed 1.7% as the U.S. dollar declined on Wednesday.

Oil prices showed no sign of fading though, having added as much as 3% on Wednesday after a third surprise weekly drop in U.S. crude stockpiles boosted the demand outlook in the world’s largest oil consumer.

Another supportive factor was an oil workers’ strike in Norway, which threatened to cut North Sea crude output.

U.S. crude (WTI) futures advanced 0.9% to $45.75 after soaring 2.9% on Wednesday. Brent crude futures rose 0.8% to $47.21, adding to gains of 2% on Wednesday.

Industrial metals surged too along with emerging market assets on the hope that low global interest rates will boost both growth and demand for resources. Over half of the main emerging economies are commodity producers.

Turkey is expected to cut its interest rates again later.

“The Fed was more dovish than the market expected,” said Qi Gao, FX strategist for Scotiabank in Singapore. “EM Asian currencies will benefit from global excess liquidity chasing higher returns,” he said.

MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan extended gains to 1.2% in its sixth straight session of increases, just 0.9% shy of its one-year high touched earlier this month.

“The market got what it expected/wanted: Another dose of central bank support for markets following the Bank of Japan meeting,” said Daniel Morris, senior investment strategist at BNP Paribas Investment Partners in London.

About the Author
By Reuters
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

Latest in Finance

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in Finance

Top analyst: 71% of SpaceX’s $2 trillion value rests on AI. Grok’s numbers Are ‘almost comical’ by comparison
Startups & VentureSpaceX
Top analyst: 71% of SpaceX’s $2 trillion value rests on AI. Grok’s numbers Are ‘almost comical’ by comparison
By Mia OsmonbekovJune 15, 2026
24 minutes ago
Shotwell stands and smiles widely
InvestingSpace X
Here’s how SpaceX’s debut stacks up against other major IPOs
By Jacqueline MunisJune 15, 2026
2 hours ago
Iran emerges from war with its economy in free fall and inflation on some food items above 400%. If the regime doesn’t fix it, ‘there will be trouble’
EconomyIran
Iran emerges from war with its economy in free fall and inflation on some food items above 400%. If the regime doesn’t fix it, ‘there will be trouble’
By Jason MaJune 15, 2026
5 hours ago
The First National Bank of America logo on a green layered background.
Personal FinanceCertificates of Deposit (CDs)
First National Bank of America CD rates 2026: High APYs and terms up to 10 years
By Joseph HostetlerJune 15, 2026
6 hours ago
wh
Middle EastWhite House
The U.S. says Iran will give up its uranium. Iran says it won’t. They’re due to sign a deal on Friday
By Munir Ahmed, Will Weissert, Sam Mednick and The Associated PressJune 15, 2026
7 hours ago
Top CD rates from major banks June 15, 2026: Chase CDs, Bank of America CDs, Citibank CDs, and more
Personal FinanceCertificates of Deposit (CDs)
Top CD rates from major banks on June 15, 2026: Chase CDs, Bank of America CDs, Citibank CDs, and more
By Joseph HostetlerJune 15, 2026
7 hours ago

Most Popular

Social Security's 2032 deadline puts a 22% cut on the table — but Washington has way less room to negotiate than 1983
Personal Finance
Social Security's 2032 deadline puts a 22% cut on the table — but Washington has way less room to negotiate than 1983
By John W. Diamond and The ConversationJune 12, 2026
3 days ago
CEO of $20 billion AI firm Perplexity says the secret to success is ‘sleeping with that fear’ that your competitor will steal your idea
Success
CEO of $20 billion AI firm Perplexity says the secret to success is ‘sleeping with that fear’ that your competitor will steal your idea
By Preston ForeJune 13, 2026
2 days ago
Iran proved it can close the Strait of Hormuz, but the U.S. is advertising very loudly that the world's top superpower can at least punch open a hole
Energy
Iran proved it can close the Strait of Hormuz, but the U.S. is advertising very loudly that the world's top superpower can at least punch open a hole
By Jason MaJune 14, 2026
1 day ago
Boomers actually do hold most of the wealth and power. So why do they call it 'whiny' to point that out?
Economy
Boomers actually do hold most of the wealth and power. So why do they call it 'whiny' to point that out?
By Nick LichtenbergJune 14, 2026
1 day ago
SpaceX surge further boosts Saudi billionaire prince’s fortune
Investing
SpaceX surge further boosts Saudi billionaire prince’s fortune
By Adveith Nair and BloombergJune 14, 2026
1 day ago
AI job disruption is here. The problem may be compounded because nearly 75% of people don't apply for unemployment benefits
AI
AI job disruption is here. The problem may be compounded because nearly 75% of people don't apply for unemployment benefits
By Jacqueline MunisJune 14, 2026
1 day ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.