Finance

The Federal Open Market Committee voted 9–3 to hold the benchmark federal funds rate between 3.5% and 3.75%, opting for stability despite lingering inflation. However, the decision underscored growing hawk-leaning pressure within the central bank, with three regional bank presidents dissenting in favor of a quarter-point increase. Following the policy announcement, long-term U.S. Treasury yields spiked as fixed-income investors positioned for extended restrictive monetary conditions.

International energy markets experienced strong upward momentum on Wednesday following reports of localized combat involving Iranian forces. Brent crude futures jumped over 6.6% to settle near $89 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate followed a similar trajectory to surpass $84 per barrel. This sudden reversal in energy costs has complicated the macroeconomic outlook by intensifying short-term inflationary pressures.

Digital assets experienced a mixed but comparatively stable trading session, separating slightly from the deeper losses seen in equity markets. Bitcoin managed to defend the $63,000 threshold and flirted with $64,000, while Ethereum saw localized support driven by net inflows into newly launched U.S. spot exchange-traded funds. Total industry volume dipped slightly as digital asset participants adopted a cautious posture waiting for the definitive path of central bank operations.