Asian markets jump after US rate cut—tech and finance shine
Asian stocks got a boost on Thursday after the US Fed cut interest rates for the third straight time, hoping to keep economic recovery on track as inflation cools off.
The MSCI Asia Pacific Index rose 0.5%, led by tech and financial shares, following Wall Street's upbeat mood with both S&P 500 and Russell 2000 also up.
What else is happening?
The Fed's move matched what most investors expected, with nine out of 12 committee members backing the cut—officials maintained their outlook for just one cut in 2026.
This sent US bond yields down and made the dollar weaker against other currencies.
Meanwhile, Asian traders are keeping an eye on Japan's bond auction and a key rate decision in the Philippines.
Commodity prices reacted too: gold stayed steady, silver hit new highs, and oil climbed after the US seized a sanctioned tanker off Venezuela, raising the risk of a conflict—showing just how connected global markets really are right now.