Fed Decision and Tech Earnings Drive Markets (10.28.2026)
The Fed takes center stage today, with markets pricing a 92.8% chance of holding rates at 3.75–4.00%. Investors will focus on Chair Kevin Warsh’s guidance as persistent inflation and a cooling labor market complicate policy.
Any hint of a December hike could lift Treasury yields and pressure tech stocks. Gold traded below $4,050 and silver slipped beneath $54 as Middle East tensions and volatile oil prices sustained inflation concerns.
Inflation is turning into a longer-lasting problem. A new Reuters poll shows economists have raised their 2027 inflation forecasts for 31 of 50 economies, mainly because
oil has stayed above $100 a barrel since early October. Higher energy costs are now spreading into wider prices. Growth forecasts also improved thanks to AI investment, but HSBC and Morgan Stanley warned that interest rates and bond yields may stay high for longer.
In the stock market, US futures are flat as investors wait for the Fed and for Alphabet and Microsoft earnings after today’s close, which will be a key test of AI demand. On Tuesday, the S&P 500 rose 0.6% and the Nasdaq gained 1.18%, led by chipmakers after Broadcom announced $63 billion in Anthropic-linked financing. Meta’s $25 billion share offering also saw strong demand.
The dollar index is holding near 102.4 after three days of gains, and it jumped more than 1% against the New Zealand dollar after the RBNZ unexpectedly kept rates unchanged. The Bank of Canada, ECB and Bank of Japan are also set to announce their rate decisions this week.
Economic Calendar
EUR/USD Holds Near 1.1125
EUR/USD held steady around 1.1125 in early Asian trading on Wednesday, remaining capped below 1.1150 as traders prepared for central bank policy updates.
The Federal Reserve is broadly expected to maintain interest rates at its October meeting later today, while the European Central Bank is scheduled to announce its policy decision on Thursday.
The first resistance is positioned at 1.1150 while the support starts from 1.1100.
Gold Trades Below $4,050
Gold traded below $4,050 per ounce on Wednesday as investors cautiously awaited the Federal Reserve policy outcome while assessing ongoing Middle East geopolitical developments. Although the Federal Reserve is expected to keep interest rates steady today, market participants are watching for signals regarding a potential December rate increase.
Meanwhile, the Reserve Bank of New Zealand unexpectedly paused policy tightening, adopting a cautious stance. Crude oil prices fluctuated amid a tight Israeli election and potential US military actions involving Iran. Regional volatility continues to support energy costs and inflation fears, dampening non-yielding gold demand.
First resistance is seen at $4100, with initial support near $4025.
Yen Weakens Toward 158 Level
The Japanese yen slipped toward 158 per dollar on Wednesday, relinquishing recent safe-haven gains as renewed optimism around artificial intelligence raised tech shares. Strong third-quarter results and expanded shareholder returns from SK Hynix underpinned broader tech sector confidence.
Market participants are positioning for this week's Bank of Japan policy announcement, where rates are expected to hold steady, though officials may signal a December increase given sticky price pressures. September services inflation reached 3.7%, a multi-month high driven by labor, transport, and fuel expenses. Additional global central bank decisions will also guide currency direction.
First resistance is seen at 158.30, with initial support near 157.10.
GBP/USD Soft Below 1.3350
GBP/USD remains under pressure below 1.3350 during Asian trading, though holding above yesterday's low. Technical resistance is situated at 1.3344 and the 100-day moving average near 1.3389, while support rests at 1.3267 and 1.3141. Market focus centres on two key events tomorrow: UK Chancellor Healey presenting her first Autumn Budget, watched closely for its impact on bond yields, and the Federal Reserve's rate decision.
Sterling derives support from high Bank of England rate hike expectations, while December Fed hike bets and geopolitical risks support the US dollar.
From a technical view, resistance stands near 1.3360, with support around 1.3250.
Silver Trades Below $54 Mark
Silver traded between $53 and $54 per ounce on Wednesday, snapping a two-day winning streak as investors adopted a cautious stance ahead of the Federal Reserve policy decision and digested early Israeli election developments. While the Federal Reserve is expected to keep interest rates steady, markets are searching for indications regarding a possible December rate increase.
Meanwhile, the Reserve Bank of New Zealand unexpectedly paused policy tightening. Crude oil volatility alongside potential US military actions involving Iran continue to feed broader inflation fears, keeping non-yielding precious metals under pressure.
From a technical view, resistance stands near $54.80, while support is located around $53.00.
Bitcoin (BTC/USD)
Bitcoin traded near $80,900, edging up 0.2% from the previous session.
The cryptocurrency has gained 3.34% over the past four weeks, although it remains 26.57% lower than a year ago, reflecting a recovery within a longer-term decline.
Initial resistance sits near 82,000, with support around 79,500.
Brent Crude Oil
Brent found support following reports that Washington had advised several Gulf states to prepare for a possible military campaign against Iran after the US midterms.
Israeli elections added another layer of tension, with exit polls showing Netanyahu and opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot running neck and neck. Although Eisenkot has advocated a more moderate approach, he has not ruled out military action against Iran’s nuclear program, while rejecting regime change as a realistic objective. Meanwhile, a 2-million-barrel decline in US crude inventories during the week ending October 23 reinforced signs of tighter supply.
Resistance is seen at 111.80, while the nearest support stands at 107.50.
Nasdaq 100
The US100 traded at around 29,760. The index has gained 1.91% over the past four weeks and 13.94% over the past year, projected to reach 28,344 by the end of this quarter and 26,579 in one year.
Resistance stands at 29.950, while the nearest support is located at 29,500.
Offshore Chinese Yuan
The offshore yuan held near 6.66 per dollar, close to its strongest level since June 2022, supported by strong exports and firmer PBoC fixings.
September exports surged 36.3% to $447.18 billion, their fastest growth in seven months, while industrial profits rose 15.5% to CNY 6.03 trillion in the first nine months of 2026, slightly below the previous period’s 15.7% pace. The yuan has gained 0.6% this month and more than 4% this year, reflecting sustained strength against the dollar.
The first resistance stands at 6.6750, while support begins at 6.6590.