Asian stocks advanced on Wednesday as weak U.S. data released overnight boosted expectations of a less hawkish Federal Reserve.
Investors are pricing in a smaller interest rate hike in December after a 75 basis point increase in November. Third-quarter U.S. GDP data, due later this week, is expected to offer more clues on the economic and rate outlook.
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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.