Fed decides amid uncertain trade outlook, tense Middle East
US stocks sold off, oil and natural gas rallied, and the US dollar gained as US Treasuries and gold attracted safe-haven flows. Mounting tensions between Israel and Iran, alongside Donald Trump’s early departure from the G7 meeting, spurred concerns that the US could become involved in the Middle East crisis.
Investors are taking risk off the table, bracing for further escalation and a potential prolongation of tensions with Iran.
All this sets the stage for the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) latest policy decision and the release of its updated dot plot later today. The Fed is not expected to change rates...