Asian shares edged higher on Thursday after the U.S. Federal Reserve said the "disinflationary process has started" but "ongoing increases" in interest rates will be needed to curb price pressures.
Fed Chair Jerome Powell's dovish comments in a press conference stoked expectations that the Fed might start cutting rates before 2024.
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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.