Steady

• Asian markets saw cautious gains on August 4, 2026, following a global rally on Wall Street, with MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares (excluding Japan) rising 0.1%. • South Korean shares led the growth with a rally of up to 2.1%, while Japan's Nikkei 225 declined by 0.3% and S&P 500 e-mini futures rose 0.1%. • Oil prices remained steady near multi-week lows, reflecting a stalemate in the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran.

• Two Federal Reserve officials dissented against the decision to hold interest rates steady, arguing that a rate hike was necessary to combat elevated inflation. • The internal conflict over monetary policy intensified during Kevin Warsh’s second meeting as chairman of the Federal Reserve. • These dissenting officials believe that higher rates would have placed the central bank in a stronger position to stabilize prices and manage economic volatility.

• The USD/JPY exchange rate rose 0.53% to ¥160.39 following the Federal Reserve's decision to keep US interest rates steady. • Japanese authorities intervened in the foreign exchange market by selling US dollars and buying yen to combat the currency's sharp depreciation. • This volatility highlights the ongoing tension between US monetary policy and Japan's efforts to stabilize its currency.

• The Dow and other stock indices rose on July 30, 2026, driven by strong earnings reports from Microsoft (MSFT) and Meta Platforms (META). • The Federal Reserve opted to hold interest rates steady, providing a stable environment for investors despite renewed hostilities in the Middle East. • Market momentum was further bolstered by positive stock futures as investors weighed the Fed's decision against corporate performance.

• The Federal Reserve voted 9 to 3 on Wednesday to keep its benchmark short-term borrowing rate steady within a range of 3.5% to 3.75%. • This decision reflects a divide among policymakers, though the majority remains committed to curbing stubborn inflation. • The rate hold directly impacts the cost of credit across the economy, affecting business financing, credit cards, and auto loans.

• Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin M. Warsh announced that the central bank will hold interest rates steady at a range of 3.5 to 3.75 percent. • While Warsh has designated taming inflation as his top priority, he has faced criticism and market backlash for his reluctance to implement higher borrowing costs. • The decision matters as financial markets have swiftly rejected Warsh's approach, signaling a disconnect between the Fed's current strategy and investor expectations.

• The Federal Reserve decided to keep interest rates steady during its most recent meeting, despite internal disagreement among officials. • Three regional Fed presidents broke from the majority by favoring an increase in the cost of borrowing to combat economic pressures. • The decision follows a period of high uncertainty, with markets previously assigning a 1-in-3 chance of a rate hike due to persistent inflation and rising energy prices.

• The Federal Reserve decided to hold interest rates steady, though the decision was marked by three members who dissented in favor of a rate hike. • In a statement issued under Chairman Kevin Warsh, the Fed noted that economic activity continues to expand at a solid pace despite uncertainties caused by conflict in the Middle East. • The presence of three dissenting votes is significant as it signals a potential shift in policy, raising the prospect of a rate increase in September.