US stock markets presented a mixed performance on Wednesday, closing with varying degrees of decline. The Dow Jones Industrial Average, a benchmark for the US economy, finished at 44,461 points, reflecting a 0.4% decrease compared to the previous trading day.
Shortly before the closing bell in New York, the broader S&P 500 settled around 6,363 points, marking a slight 0.1% loss. The Nasdaq Composite, heavily weighted with technology stocks, registered at approximately 23,345 points, down 0.2%.
Despite persistent calls from the US President for interest rate reductions, the Federal Reserve opted to maintain its pause on rate hikes, initially implemented in January. This decision, consistent with previous responses following the President’s tariff announcements, underscores ongoing economic uncertainties, moderating inflation and the continued resilience of the US economy.
Notably, for the first time in over three decades, two members of the Federal Open Market Committee – Christopher Waller and Michelle Bowman – dissented from the consensus decision, advocating for a 25 basis point interest rate cut. This divergence may heighten their standing with the President, who holds the responsibility of nominating Powell’s successor as head of the Federal Reserve, a role that will become vacant in May 2026.
The euro experienced a significant decline on Wednesday evening, trading at 1.1424 US dollars, representing a 1.07% decrease. Conversely, the dollar was valued at 0.8754 euros.
Precious metals saw a downturn, with the gold price dropping noticeably to 3,270 US dollars per fine ounce (equivalent to 92.04 euros per gram), a decline of 1.6%.
Conversely, the oil market saw a positive trend, with Brent North Sea crude fetching 73.63 US dollars per barrel – a 1.5% increase over the closing prices of the prior trading day.
