Houthis Escalate Saudi Attacks as Red Sea Oil Risks Grow 
Asian Stocks Rise as Investors Brace for Fed Rate Decision 
US Futures Fall as Fed Meeting, Oil Surge Rattle Markets 
Saudi Arabia Raises Security Alerts as Houthi Attacks Threaten Oil Routes 
Asian Currencies Subdued as Yen Slides Ahead of Fed, BOJ Decisions 
Asian Tech Stocks Slide as AI Concerns and Rising Bond Yields Hit Chipmakers 
Vietnam, U.S. Firms Plan 29 Deals Across Energy, Tech and Aviation 
BOJ Flags Import Costs and Yen Shocks as Persistent Inflation Risks 
Gold Prices Fall as Hot U.S. Inflation Boosts Fed Rate Hike Bets 
Asian Bank Stocks Slide as BofA Warning and Rising Yields Hit Sentiment 
China Home Prices Fall Again as Property Slump Drags on Growth 
UK Wage Growth Slows as BoE Rate Decision Looms 
Oil Prices Surge as Houthi Attacks Raise Saudi Supply Fears 
Gold Prices Steady as Oil Disruptions Boost Fed Rate Hike Bets 
China Industrial Output Beats Forecasts as Exports Support Growth 
German 2-Year Yield Hits 2023 High as Rate Hike Bets Rise 
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U.S. stocks opened higher on Wednesday, snapping back after six declines in the previous seven sessions as easing oil prices provided some relief ahead of a closely watched Federal Reserve interest rate decision.
At 9:32 a.m. ET, the S&P 500 rose 0.2% to 7,604.25, while the Nasdaq Composite gained 0.4% to 26,091.95. The Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 0.1% to 52,122.26.
Wall Street had fallen in the previous session as U.S. Treasury yields surged toward two-decade highs. The bond market selloff followed a sharp rise in crude oil prices amid escalating Middle East tensions, fueling concerns that higher energy costs could keep inflation elevated and force the Fed to tighten monetary policy further.
The Federal Open Market Committee is widely expected to raise interest rates by 25 basis points, bringing the target range to 3.75%-4%. Such a move would mark the Fed’s first rate hike since 2023.
Expectations for higher rates have strengthened following signs of persistent inflation and resilience in the U.S. economy. August job growth significantly exceeded forecasts, suggesting the labor market remains strong enough to withstand tighter monetary conditions.
Fresh economic data on Wednesday reinforced that view. U.S. retail sales increased 1.2% month-over-month in August, beating expectations for a 0.8% gain and reversing July’s 0.5% decline.
With a rate increase largely priced into markets, investors are expected to focus on Fed Chair Kevin Warsh’s comments for clues about the future path of monetary policy.
Oil prices, meanwhile, pulled back after a two-day rally following an unexpectedly large increase in U.S. crude inventories. However, uncertainty surrounding Saudi Arabia’s closed East-West Pipeline kept energy markets on edge.
Technology stocks were also in focus. Intel shares jumped more than 5% after Reuters reported that SK Hynix was discussing potential U.S. memory-chip production with the semiconductor company. SK Hynix said various options were under review but stressed that no final decision had been made.
