Asia stocks decline amid worries over US rate hikes, Russia
ABC News
Asian stocks have followed Wall Street lower after a Federal Reserve official’s comments fueled expectations of more aggressive U.S. rate hikes and the White House announced more sanctions on Russia
BEIJING -- Asian stocks followed Wall Street lower Wednesday after a Federal Reserve official's comments fueled expectations of more aggressive U.S. rate hikes and the White House announced more sanctions on Russia.
Market benchmarks in Shanghai, Tokyo, Hong Kong and Sydney retreated.
Wall Street's S&P 500 index tumbled 1.3% after Fed Governor Lael Brainard said reining in inflation that is at a four-decade high is of “paramount importance.” Brainard said the Fed is set to keep raising rates after its March hike, its first in four years, and might decide at its May meeting to reduce bond holdings “at a rapid pace.”
The White House said Western governments will ban new investmen t in Russia following evidence its soldiers deliberately killed civilians in Ukraine. The U.S. Treasury said President Vladimir Putin's government will be blocked from paying debts with dollars from American financial institutions, potentially increasing the risk of a default.
