Asia And Europe Markets Dip Following US Fed Decision, Gold Below $2,050 - Global Markets Today While US Was Sleeping

On Wednesday, January 31st, U.S. stock markets closed lower following the Federal Reserve's decision to keep interest rates unchanged, quashing expectations of a rate cut as early as March.

The Federal Open Markets Committee (FOMC) maintained its key policy rate at 5.25%-5.50% amidst signs of slowly easing inflation and a robust economy.

In economic data, U.S. private businesses added 107,000 workers in January, down from December's 158,000, missing estimates of 145,000. Civilian worker compensation costs rose 0.9% in Q4 2023, below the previous quarter's 1.1% increase.

Related: Powell Chills Investors, Says ‘I Don't Think It's Likely' Rate Cuts Arrive In March, Stocks Sink

All 11 major U.S. stock indexes closed in the red, with the communication services and technology shares experiencing the biggest percentage declines.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 0.82% and closed at 38,150.30, the S&P 500 slipped 1.61% to 4,845.65, while the Nasdaq Composite fell 2.23%, ending the session at 15,164.01.

Asian Markets Today

• On Thursday, Japan's Nikkei 225 index closed the session lower by 0.90% at 36,011.46, led by losses in the Chemical, Petroleum & Plastic, Gas & Water and Transportation Equipment sectors.
• Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 was down 1.20% and closed at 7,588.20, led by losses in the Financials, A-REITs and Industrials sectors.
• India's Nifty 50 closed lower by 0.13% at 21,697.45, and the Nifty 500 slid 0.12% to 19,777.35. 
• China's Shanghai Composite slipped 0.64% to 2,770.74, while the Shenzhen CSI 300 rose 0.07%, closing at 3,217.71.
• Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index gained 0.52%, concluding the day at 15,566.21.

Eurozone at 06:30 AM ET

• The European STOXX 600 index was down 0.18%.
• Germany's DAX declined 0.17%.
• France's CAC fell 0.83%.
• The U.K.'s FTSE 100 traded lower by 0.02%.

Commodities at 06:30 AM ET

• Crude Oil WTI was trading higher by 0.79% at $76.45/bbl, and Brent was up 0.76% at $81.16/bbl.
• Natural Gas gained 1.57% to $2.132.
• Gold was trading lower by 0.92% at $2,048.35, Silver declined 1.76% to $22.762, while Copper fell 1.18% to $3.8598.

US Futures at 06:30 AM ET       

Dow futures were up 0.01%, S&P 500 futures gained 0.33%, while Nasdaq 100 Futures rose 0.53%.

Forex at 06:30 AM ET

The U.S. Dollar Index was up 0.40% to 103.69, USD/JPY slid 0.07% to 146.78, and AUD/USD gained 0.83% to 1.5353.