Supertanker Orders Surge as US-Iran War Reshapes Oil Trade 
UK Inflation Rises to 3.1% Ahead of BoE Rate Decision 
Asian Currencies Mixed as Dollar Holds Gains After Fed Rate Hike 
Asian Currencies Mixed as Dollar Hits Seven-Week High After Fed Hike 
Vietnam, U.S. Firms Plan 29 Deals Across Energy, Tech and Aviation 
Oil Prices Fall as U.S. Crude Inventories Rise, Middle East Risks Persist 
UK Wage Growth Slows as BoE Rate Decision Looms 
Yemen Fighting Threatens Red Sea Oil Routes 
Asian Currencies Subdued as Yen Slides Ahead of Fed, BOJ Decisions 
US Stocks Rise Ahead of Fed Rate Decision 
Gold Rebounds Above $4,300 Despite Hawkish Fed Rate Hike 
German 2-Year Yield Hits 2023 High as Rate Hike Bets Rise 
China’s Slower Loan Growth Becomes ‘New Normal’ as Credit Demand Weakens 
East Germany Narrows Economic Gap With West but Wealth Divide Persists 
US Stock Futures Rally as Markets Digest Fed Rate Hike 
US Futures Fall as Fed Meeting, Oil Surge Rattle Markets 
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European stocks rallied on Thursday as investors welcomed the Federal Reserve’s first interest rate increase in more than three years while signs of potential diplomatic progress in the Middle East boosted market sentiment.
The pan-European STOXX 600 climbed about 0.85%, putting the benchmark on track for its strongest advance in more than two months. Germany’s DAX, France’s CAC 40 and Britain’s FTSE 100 also advanced between 0.8% and 1%.
The gains followed the Fed’s decision to raise its benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points to 3.75%-4.00%. The unanimous move marked the central bank’s first rate hike since 2023 as policymakers intensified efforts to contain persistent inflation and energy-related price pressures.
Investors largely anticipated the increase, shifting attention toward the future path of U.S. monetary policy. Fed Chair Kevin Warsh emphasized the central bank’s commitment to price stability and maintaining its independence amid President Donald Trump’s calls for lower borrowing costs.
Risk appetite received another lift after Trump expressed optimism that the seven-month Iran war could be approaching an end. Expectations of diplomatic progress have increased ahead of anticipated discussions between Trump and Gulf leaders during the UN General Assembly.
Meanwhile, the Bank of England kept its benchmark rate unchanged at 3.75% in a 6-3 vote. Policymakers warned that Middle East-related energy disruptions could push UK inflation above 4% in early 2027, keeping the possibility of another rate increase firmly in focus.
Attention now turns to the Bank of Japan, which is expected to continue the global central bank policy marathon on Friday.
Individual European stocks also posted significant moves. Wizz Air gained after upgrading its second-quarter revenue guidance, while Berentzen-Gruppe surged about 22% following confirmation of takeover discussions with Sazerac. Bytes Technology jumped more than 12% after raising its full-year outlook.
Raiffeisen Bank International moved in the opposite direction, falling more than 7% after Grizzly Research disclosed a short position.
