Australia's benchmark stock index fell on Thursday, snapping a recent winning streak, as a hawkish interest rate hold from the U.S. Federal Reserve and a sharp rebound in oil prices weighed on investor sentiment across the region. The S&P/ASX 200 was down 0.83%, shedding 74.9 points to trade at 8,963.7 by early afternoon in Sydney. The U.S. central bank held its benchmark interest rate steady but adopted a notably hawkish tone in its accompanying statement, tempering market expectations for near-term rate cuts. Australia's own inflation data added a further layer of complexity to Thursday's trading. The Reserve Bank's next rate decision and quarterly economic forecast update are due in 12 days.