Asian markets traded lower on Thursday, reflecting a negative reaction to the Fed's hawkish stance and tracking the Wall Street's movements a day earlier. Though the interest rate hike of 50 basis points was along expected lines, the higher peak of 5.1 percent for the federal funds rate dampened investor sentiment.
Disappointing industrial production and retail sales numbers from China on Wednesday added to the negative sentiment.
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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.