Asian stock markets are trading mostly lower on Monday, following the mostly negative cues from global markets on Friday, amid concerns about slowing economic growth, soaring inflation and prospects of more interest rate hikes by central banks in the coming months. Traders also react to hawkish comments from US Fed officials ahead of annual Jackson Hole economic symposium in Wyoming this week. Asian markets closed mixed on Friday.
Recent comments from some Fed officials have indicated the central bank will continue to raise interest rates aggressively at its next meeting in September. St. Louis Fed president James Bullard said he expects a third straight 75 basis point interest rate hike in September. Meanwhile, Kansas City Fed president Esther George argued that the drop in inflation registered in July was not evidence the underlying problem was fixed.
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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.