- US equity futures rose alongside European stocks on Wednesday, ahead of a Federal Reserve decision in which officials are expected to signal plans for policy tightening.
- European stocks rose, with travel and mining stocks leading the way. Contracts on US indices rose as well, led by the NASDAQ 100, indicating a recovery in technology shares.
- After delivering upbeat outlooks, Microsoft and Texas Instruments gained in premarket trading. An Asia-pacific gauge treaded lower.
- Markets have been volatile in the run-up to the Fed decision, with tensions between Russia and the United States adding to investor concerns. Traders are waiting to see how hawkish the central bank sounds in its fight to contain inflation, both in terms of interest-rate hikes expected in March and subsequent reductions in Treasury holdings. Nonetheless, there are some signs of easing turmoil.
- The CBOE volatility index known as the VIX fell from a one-year high, snapping six days of gains. the benchmark US 10-year Treasury yield ticked up, while a dollar gauge was little changed.
- From a prior projection of May, BNP Paribas now expects the next 0.25% Bank of England interest rate rise on February 3rd.
- Russian Foreign Min. Lavrov: Russia will respond to the West's aggressive actions in Ukraine.
- OPEC+ delegates anticipate keeping the plan of a slight increase in production.
- ECB's Simkus: The outlook for inflation isn't a reason to modify policy.
