HomeNewsBusinessMarketsAsian stocks gain on dovish-sounding Fed, dollar on defensive

Asian stocks gain on dovish-sounding Fed, dollar on defensive

The potential for more money to continue flowing into commodities and equities, rather being lured by higher US interest rates, boosted crude oil and emerging market stocks.

March 17, 2016 / 08:49 IST
Story continues below Advertisement

Asian shares gained early on Thursday and the dollar was on the defensive after suffering substantial losses following the US Federal Reserve's move to reduce the number of interest rate hikes planned for this year.
The potential for more money to continue flowing into commodities and equities, rather being lured by higher US interest rates, boosted crude oil and emerging market stocks.

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan climbed 0.9 percent and Australian stocks added 0.8 percent.

Story continues below Advertisement

Asian equities took cues from Wall Street, where the S&P 500 closed at its highest level this year following the US central bank's dovish messages.

The Fed concluded a closely watched two-day policy meeting on Wednesday by leaving interest rates untouched and signalling fewer rate hikes in coming months as the United States continues to face risks from an uncertain global economy.