In Asian Equity Markets indices were broadly lower on Thursday, as a Fed report hints at more rate hikes ahead. The Greater China markets were in largely negative territory in early trade. The Shanghai composite fell by 1.53 percent while the Shenzhen composite fell by 1.91 percent. In Japan, the Nikkei 225 was lower by 0.37 percent in morning trade, while the Topix index slipped 0.19 percent. Over in South Korea, the Kospi fell by 0.28 percent, with shares of chip-maker SK Hynix still lower by 1.42 percent.

In Currency Markets the US dollar traded stronger versus its major peers on Thursday after minutes from the U.S. Federal Reserve’s September meeting affirmed expectations that the central bank is likely to continue raising interest rates this year. Every Fed policymaker backed raising interest rates last month and also generally agreed borrowing costs were set to rise further. The euro changed hands at $1.1501 on Thursday. The yen changed hands at 112.65 to the dollar on Thursday. The dollar has gained 0.9 percent versus the yen since Monday, when the yen hit a one-month high of 111.61.

In Commodities Markets oil prices edged up on Thursday, steadying after a big decline overnight due to a jump in U.S. crude stockpiles and supported by ongoing tensions over the death of a prominent Saudi journalist. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude for October delivery was up 17 cents, or 0.2 percent, at $69.92 a barrel, after falling 3 percent in the previous session to settle below $70 for the first time in a month. Front-month London Brent crude for December delivery was up 23 cents, or 0.3 percent, at $80.28, having ended down 1.7 percent.

In US Equity Markets major indexes closed marginally lower after a choppy session on Wednesday. The S&P 500 lost 0.03 percent, to 2,809.21 and the Nasdaq Composite fell 0.04 percent, to 7,642.70. Of the S&P’s 11 major sectors, only four ended the day with gains. Financials was the biggest gainer, closing 0.9 percent higher. Materials was the biggest loser, with an 0.8 percent decline. Home Depot shares fell 4.3 percent while the PHLX Housing index lost 1.87 percent. Among the brighter spots was Netflix, which rose 5.3 percent, after reporting blowout subscriber addition numbers.

In Bond Markets U.S. Treasury yields rose on Wednesday as the Federal Reserve’s minutes on its meeting last month showed all policy makers agreed to raise key interest rates for a third time in 2018 with many open to further rate hikes. The benchmark 10-year Treasury yield was 3.184 percent, up near 3 basis points from late Tuesday. The 30-year yield was 3.354 percent, up 2 basis points.