Global financial markets are entering a crucial phase as investors await the U.S. Federal Reserve’s September 16 monetary-policy decision, an event that could influence asset prices worldwide. The Federal Reserve’s official calendar confirms that its two-day FOMC meeting concludes on Wednesday, with the policy statement scheduled for 2:00 p.m. ET and a press conference at 2:30 p.m. ET. Expectations have shifted sharply toward tighter monetary policy after resilient U.S. employment data, persistent inflation pressures and elevated energy prices; Reuters reported that futures markets were pricing roughly a 93% probability of a 25-basis-point rate increase ahead of the announcement, although a Reuters survey of economists published earlier had shown a majority expecting rates to remain unchanged, highlighting the unusual uncertainty surrounding the meeting. Wall Street futures edged higher before the decision after two sessions of losses, while investors continued to closely monitor Treasury yields and the U.S. dollar. Gold has also become a major focus: spot prices rose more than 1% on Wednesday as the dollar weakened and oil prices eased, but the precious metal’s next move could depend heavily on the Fed’s decision and guidance because higher interest rates generally increase the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding gold. Beyond the immediate rate decision, markets will scrutinize the Fed’s economic projections and signals about the future path of monetary policy, making the announcement potentially important not only for U.S. equities and bonds but also for currencies, commodities and global capital flows.
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