Global markets focusing on Fed, ECB interest rate decisions

By Serhat Tutak and Erhan Cihan Unal

Investors in global markets this week are focused on the interest rate decisions of leading central banks.

The US Federal Reserve is to announce its last interest rate decision of the year on Wednesday, with the European Central Bank (ECB) and the Bank of England set to follow with theirs on Thursday.

There is a growing belief that the Fed will hold rates steady.

In addition to interest rate decisions, the views of Fed Chairman Jerome Powell and the verbal guidance of Fed officials will be influential on the direction of the markets, said analysts.

As for Europe, the ECB and the Bank of England interest rate decisions will also be closely watched.

The ECB is expected to leave its interest rates stable.

*Writing by Emir Yildirim