LONDON—European shares dipped and U.S. stock futures were mixed on Wednesday as a note of caution crept into world stock markets as the U.S. Federal Reserve looked set to deliver its fourth, 75 basis points interest rate increase.
Another aggressive rate hike to contain hot inflation when the Fed concludes its two-day meeting later is anticipated. For markets, the key question is whether the Fed will also signal it could slow additional rate hikes, in a so-called dovish pivot.
“The extreme sensitivity of global assets and the dollar to the theme of a dovish pivot has boosted the notion this will be a make-or-break event for market sentiment,” said ING currency strategist Francesco Pesole….