Asian stock markets are trading mixed on Tuesday, following the broadly positive cues from Wall Street overnight, as traders remain cautious and optimistic about an interest rate cut by the US Fed ahead of the Fed's monetary policy announcement on Wednesday. Traders have already factored in a rate cut by the US Fed as a "certainty." Asian markets closed mixed on Monday.
With recent data showing relatively subdued inflation and a weakening labor market, the Fed is widely expected to lower interest rates by at least a quarter-point. Traders are likely to pay close attention to the Fed's accompanying statement as well as post-meeting comments by Fed Chair Jerome Powell for clues about the likelihood of further rate cuts.
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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.