In Asian Equity Markets stocks retreated on Thursday amid persistent fears of rising U.S. interest rates, although a stronger-than-expected revenue forecast from Nvidia boosted regional technology stocks, particularly those of chipmakers. The Taiwan Weighted index was the best performer in Asia for the day, up 1.3 percent. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index rose 0.3 percent, while South Korea’s KOSPI added 1 percent. China’s Shanghai Shenzhen CSI 300 and Shanghai Composite indexes rose less than 0.1 percent. Australia’s ASX 200 index fell 0.4 percent.

In Currency Markets the dollar ceded some ground on Thursday as markets warmed up to the idea the Federal Reserve is likely to stay on its aggressive rate-hike path, after minutes from its last policy meeting reinforced the central bank’s hawkish rhetoric. The euro rose 0.13 percent to $1.0618, away from its roughly seven-week trough of $1.0598 hit in the previous session. The Aussie gained 0.26 percent to $0.6823. Elsewhere, sterling gained 0.07 percent to $1.2053 after a 0.6 percent slide in the previous session, while the New Zealand dollar rose 0.29 percent to $0.6238.

In US Equity Markets main indexes edged up on Wednesday, a day after their worst performance of the year, as investors awaited minutes from the Federal Reserve’s policy meeting for fresh clues on the trajectory of interest rates. The Dow was up 0.08 percent, at 33,154.68, the S&P 500 was up 0.04 percent, at 3,998.75, and the Nasdaq Composite was up 0.10 percent, at 11,503.50. Six of the major S&P 500 sectors gained, with consumer discretionary stocks adding 0.4 percent. Palo Alto Networks Inc rose 11.9 percent after the cybersecurity company raised its annual profit forecast.

In Commodities Markets oil prices fell by $2 per barrel to their lowest in two weeks on Wednesday, as investors became more concerned that recent data will prompt more aggressive interest rate increases by central banks, pressuring economic growth and fuel demand. Brent crude futures settled 3 percent, lower at $80.60 per barrel. WTI crude futures fell 3 percent, to end at $74.05 a barrel. Spot gold was down 0.5 percent at $1,825.60 per ounce. Spot silver fell 1.6 percent to $21.48 per ounce and platinum gained 0.4 percent to $946.44. Palladium fell 2.6 percent to $1,486.72 per ounce.

In European Equity Markets stocks fell on Wednesday as upbeat economic data spurred fears that interest rates could stay higher for longer, while investors stayed on the sidelines ahead of the release of minutes from the U.S. Federal Reserve’s latest meeting. The pan-European STOXX 600 index closed 0.3 percent lower. French food group Danone rose 4.5 percent on saying it expects better margins this year even as rising raw materials and energy costs pulled down its full-year 2022 operating margin. Banks fell 1.6 percent, retreating from their over one-year high scaled in the previous session.

In Bond Markets U.S. Treasury yields slid on Wednesday, with the 10-year yield backing off three-month peaks, even as investors expected strong economic data to keep lifting interest rates. U.S. 10-year yields hit new three-month highs earlier on Wednesday, before trading 2 bps lower at 3.933 percent. U.S. two-year yields, which reflect rate expectations, were slightly down on the day at 4.697 percent, after hitting three-month peaks on Tuesday. The yield on the 30-year Treasury bond was down 4.5 bps at 3.93 percent.