Market Update

The Federal Reserve has decided to keep its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 3.50%–3.75% during its April meeting, marking the third consecutive time policymakers have opted for stability. This outcome was widely anticipated by markets, which had already priced in a pause. The decision comes against a backdrop of heightened …

For years, investors operated under the assumption that the Federal Reserve would always step in when markets faltered — cutting rates, buying bonds, and flooding the system with liquidity. That safety net fueled one of the longest bull markets in history. But sharp criticism of Jerome Powell’s approach has raised …

Oil markets swung sharply earlier today, with Brent crude spiking to $119 per barrel before settling at its current level near $110–111. The surge — nearly 7% in one session — reflects mounting fears that the U.S. blockade of Iran will be extended, keeping one of the world’s most critical …

Central banks occupy a prominent—if not the most prominent—position among market drivers this week. Five central banks are set to announce interest rate decisions during this period: the Federal Reserve, the European Central Bank, the Bank of England, the Bank of Canada, and the Bank of Japan, which has already …

The Bank of Canada left its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 2.25% on Wednesday, choosing to remain cautious as policymakers weigh slowing economic momentum against lingering inflation risks.While the decision itself was widely expected, the central bank’s updated outlook revealed a more complex picture. Growth projections for the coming years …

Markets drifted cautiously on Wednesday, caught in a holding pattern ahead of the Federal Reserve’s policy decision, while a sharp surge in oil prices injected fresh tension into an already fragile landscape.The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.57%, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq barely moving, down 0.11% and 0.04%. …

Key Takeaways Dollar index firms slightly: The DXY ticked up 0.1% to 98.70, with the euro down 0.1% at $1.1698 and the pound 0.1% lower at $1.3502. Fed expected to hold: Rates likely to stay at 3.5%-3.75%, with the WSJ reporting potential hawkish tweaks to forward guidance — possibly removing …

Key Takeaways Steady but stuck: Bitcoin held near $77,000, last trading 0.5% higher at $76,614, as investors await the Fed verdict. Technical ceiling: IG analysts identify the $78,000-$79,500 zone as a stubborn resistance barrier, with profit-taking repeatedly capping advances. Range-bound pattern: Sharp rallies followed by consolidation phases reflect a market …

Key Takeaways Bullion under pressure: Spot gold slipped 0.1% to $4,593.04 per ounce, while gold futures eased 0.1% to $4,606.31 — both near one-month lows. Dollar steals the show: Safe-haven buyers have flocked to the greenback rather than gold amid the Iran war uncertainty. Mixed metals picture: Spot silver rose …

Key Takeaways Strategic shift: Trump has directed aides to prepare for a prolonged blockade of Iran, opting for sustained economic pressure over renewed military strikes or rushed diplomacy. Calculated bet: The administration views a long blockade as less risky than either resuming large-scale bombing or pursuing a rapid diplomatic exit, …