Coverage of policies, statements, and decisions by the US Federal Reserve and their impact on global markets.
Markets are currently pricing in a pause in interest rate changes at the Federal Reserve’s upcoming policy meeting. Expectations for the first rate cut have shifted further into the year, contingent on inflation, employment, and growth data.
Upcoming releases—including GDP, inflation expectations, and consumer sentiment—are expected to play a central role in shaping monetary policy expectations and market direction.
After reports of softer employment data, expectations around US monetary policy shifted. Market participants increasingly see interest rates staying higher for longer, and some bank forecasts reportedly no longer expect rate cuts through the remainder of 2026.
The shift in expectations has influenced currency markets as well, strengthening the US dollar against the euro amid the belief that US rates may remain unchanged for an extended period.
For centuries, gold and silver played complementary roles in monetary systems: gold as a store of value for large transactions, and silver as a day-to-day medium of exchange. As economies industrialized and financial systems scaled, major powers progressively consolidated around gold, pushing silver away from its monetary function.
After the collapse of the Bretton Woods system and the end of the gold standard era, both metals increasingly became investment assets rather than monetary anchors. Today, investors are reassessing silver’s relevance—this time through both financial and industrial lenses.
The US president announced new measures directly impacting the defense industry, including a temporary ban on dividend distributions and share buybacks until production targets are met.
Markets reacted swiftly, with several major US defense contractors posting declines of over 5%. While the measures aim to strengthen production capacity amid rising global demand for defense equipment, investors remain concerned about short-term profitability.