As had been widely anticipated, the Federal Reserve left benchmark borrowing rates unchanged this afternoon, and officials delivered a finely-balanced message in the accompanying communications, suggesting that they intend to remain on the sidelines until a clearer picture of underlying economic conditions can emerge. The Federal Open Market Committee voted unanimously to maintain the target range...

The dollar is giving back yesterday’s gains, Treasury yields are holding steady, and North American equity markets are moving sideways as investors await news on the US role in the Israel-Iran conflict — and brace for this afternoon’s Federal Reserve decision. Oil prices leapt higher during yesterday’s session after US president Donald Trump called for Iran’s “unconditional surrender”...

• Turnaround. Middle East concerns returned overnight. Oil rose, US equities & bond yields declined. USD firmer. AUD & NZD lost ground.• Fluid situation. More headline driven volatility looks likely near-term. As seen the past few days sentiment can turn course quickly.• US Fed. No policy changes expected tomorrow. But will the US Fed tweak its ‘dot plot’ given inflation risks stemming...

The dollar is up slightly this morning, but remains on course toward its worst year-to-date performance in this century, even as geopolitical risks simmer in the background and the Federal Reserve grapples with a raft of potential inflation risks. Yields are under pressure, equity markets are headed for a mixed open, and measures of risk sentiment are softening ahead of an expected Israeli assault...