The US Federal Reserve announced on Wednesday that the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) had voted to lift the Federal Funds Rate (FFR) target range to 0.25-0.50% from 0.00-0.25%, as expected. In the Fed’s updated statement on monetary policy, it signaled that further rate hikes would likely be appropriate, as …

Russia is spiraling closer to a historic debt default that could ripple throughout the global economy after the U.S. and its European allies hit the Kremlin with a slew of crippling financial sanctions. Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine nearly one month ago, the biggest attack on a European state in decades, …

The Canadian dollar advances some 0.30% vs. the greenback amid an increased risk appetite. Discussions between Russia-Ukraine would continue, though fighting remains. The USD/CAD pair slides for the second straight day in the week, ahead of the FOMC monetary policy decision amid a risk-on market mood, as geopolitical jitters around …

The USD/JPY pair continues to move higher and, just under 118.50, is on course for an eighth successive day in the green territory.The pair is eyeing a break above late-2016/early-2017 highs in the 118.60s. Markets are risk-on in the lead up to the Fed announcement amid signs of progress in …

Ukraine has reportedly rejected Russian claims that it was open to adopting a model of neutrality comparable to Sweden in peace talks, reported the Independent on Wednesday. Russian negotiators said that Kyiv had offered to become a de-militarised state, but Ukraine responded by saying that it needs “legally verified security …

The US dollar started the day on the back foot but managed to recover the ground lost during US trading hours. The EUR/USD pair is trading at around 1.0940, while GBP/USD changes hands at 1.3035.Economic DataCanada’s benchmark index extended losses for a third straight session on Tuesday, as weakness in …

Economists expect US Retail Sales to have risen by a modest 0.4% in February. Robust consumption figures in previous months open the door to an upside surprise.Surge in the dollar could serve as a selling opportunity ahead of a potentially dovish Fed. Even war cannot stop America’s shopping extravaganza and …

US President Biden is expected to announce more than $1 billion in new military assistance to the Ukraine government as early as Wednesday, according to US officials. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to make a plea to Congress for more aid to defend his country.The money would come from …

The shared currency extended its weekly advance for two consecutive days but retraced from around 1.1000 as the Federal Reserve is set to embark on the beginning of its hiking cycle for the first time since 2018. The EUR/USD is trading at 1.0961 at the time of writing.On Tuesday, the …

The FOMC has an unenviable task of trying to guide monetary policy through a period of turbulence. The March 15-16 meeting will be essential to communicate its present action and set the monetary policy path and tone for the future.Leaning the stance of individual policymakers will matter more than usual …