{
  "id": 7813961,
  "title": "World stocks edge higher ahead of US rate decision",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/world-stocks-edge-higher-ahead-of-us-rate-decision",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-09-16T14:45:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Bangkok Post Business",
    "slug": "bangkok-post-business",
    "url": "https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/general/3320743/world-stocks-edge-higher-ahead-of-us-rate-decision"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Global stock markets climbed on Wednesday, as oil prices fell on the day, in the weeks leading up to the Federal Reserve's decision on US interest rates, amid concerns over surging inflation in the world's largest economy. With price increases significantly above the central bank's target and the Middle East crisis keeping crude above $100 a barrel, the Fed is widely expected to raise borrowing costs for the first time since 2023, bolstering the dollar. This move would likely infuriate US President Donald Trump, who has been campaigning to pressure the independent central bank to lower rates to stimulate economic activity. However, persistent price pressures have pushed government bond yields to multi-decade highs in recent weeks, negatively impacting global stocks. The 10-year US Treasury note yield climbed above five percent this week, a level not seen since 2007 before the global financial crisis. Analysts suggest that a Fed rate hike is already priced in by markets, making the policy guidance the more significant potential catalyst. If the Fed fails to hike or appears less hawkish than expected, it could benefit bonds, pushing gold as investors worry about the central bank's ability to control inflation. Global stock markets were buoyed on Wednesday as oil prices dropped following a US industry report indicating a rise in stockpiles. Crude prices have surged around 20% this month due to tensions between the US and Iran, with Saudi Arabia forced to close a key pipeline amid fighting in Yemen. Expectations for a 25-basis-point rate increase by the Fed were strengthened after data last week showed strong job creation and persistently high consumer prices in the United States. Fed chairman Kevin Warsh amplified those predictions last month with a hawkish speech at a central bankers and economists gathering in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Deutsche Bank's Jim Reid noted that forward-looking indicators suggest inflation overshoot is likely to continue for some time. The Fed's decision will be followed by the Bank of England on Thursday, which is expected to keep its benchmark rate unchanged as weak UK economic growth offsets high inflation. The Bank of Japan is also expected to raise rates on Friday due to rising inflation and the need to support the yen. Investors are also monitoring a planned summit between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, with reports that they might agree to some tariff reductions.",
  "summary": "LONDON - Global stock markets rose as oil prices slipped on Wednesday ahead of the Federal Reserve’s decision on US interest rates, with policymakers debating how to tame surging inflation in the world’s largest economy.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}