MILAN/TOKYO—World stocks eased slightly on Wednesday as markets weighed risks from U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan and comments from Federal Reserve officials talking up the chance of aggressive interest rate hikes.
MSCI’s benchmark for global stocks dipped by 0.1 percent by 0823 GMT, steadying after Tuesday’s drop that took the index off the multi-week highs hit after a rally in July.
China furiously condemned the highest-level U.S. visit to Taiwan in 25 years as Pelosi pledged American solidarity to an island Beijing views as a breakaway province.
Although China kicked off a burst of military activity in Taiwan’s surrounding waters, investors took some comfort in expectations that Beijing’s actions would remain demonstrative….