Asian stock markets are trading mostly lower on Wednesday, following the broadly negative cues from the global markets overnight, as traders looked ahead to the US Federal Reserve's monetary policy decision and accompanying statement later in the day. The bank's accompanying statement is likely to provide clues about future rate hikes. Asian Markets closed mixed on Tuesday.
The Fed is widely expected to announce another 75 basis point rate hike as part of its efforts to combat elevated inflation.
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Market Analysis
April 17, 2026 15:29 ET The ongoing conflict in the Middle East continues to raise concerns for policymakers who worry about the impact of the supply shock and high energy prices on the real economy. Producer price data and various survey results on the housing market were the main news from the U.S. this week. In Europe, industrial production data for the euro area gained attention. GDP figures out of China and the policy move by the Singapore central bank were in focus in Asia.