Singapore, Asia markets end largely higher after Fed pause and MAS hold as focus shifts to earnings

Fed chair Jerome Powell cited improvements in the US’ economic outlook and reduced risks to inflation and employment – a shift that cooled expectations for near-term rate cuts. In Asia, markets ended largely higher on Thursday. DECODING ASIA Navigate Asia ina new global order Get the insights delivered to your inbox. In the absence of signals for growth weakness, he said that Malaysia and Indonesia are likely to keep policy rates unchanged. This includes “pulling more levers to impact the economy and markets – not just setting policy rates”.