Fed holds rates as US borrowing costs hit 19-year high; Spain inflation rises to 3.5%

Story Timeline
1 day · 2 summary articles
Fed holds rates as US borrowing costs hit 19-year high; Spain inflation rises to 3.5%
South Korean chip stocks plunge as Chinese rival CXMT surges on market debut
Continuation
The Federal Reserve has decided to hold interest rates, defying inflation fears, while US borrowing costs have hit a 19-year high. Meanwhile, the Bank of Japan is expected to keep its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 1.0 percent during its two-day policy meeting starting Thursday. In Spain, the consumer price index (CPI) has risen to 3.5% in July, driven by increases in fuel and electricity prices.
The Federal Reserve's decision to hold interest rates comes amid growing concerns about inflation. J.P. Morgan has brought forward its call for a Fed rate hike to December, following the Fed's decision to hold rates in July. This move is expected to impact borrowing costs, which have already reached a 19-year high.
In Japan, the Bank of Japan is likely to maintain its benchmark interest rate at 1.0 percent as it assesses the impact of its recent rate hike to a 31-year high and the recent strong earthquake in southwestern Japan. The central bank is also monitoring the impact of higher crude oil prices and the weaker yen on inflation and businesses. BOJ Governor Kazuo Ueda is scheduled to hold a post-meeting press conference, his first since skipping the previous meeting due to hospitalization for a liver illness.
In Spain, the consumer price index (CPI) rose to 3.5% in July, up from 3.2% in June, driven by increases in fuel and electricity prices. This is the highest level since May 2024. The Spanish government's measures to mitigate the impact of the conflict in Iran on the economy have helped to reduce inflation by an average of one percentage point in recent months, according to the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Business.
The Bank of Japan's decision to hold rates comes as the central bank is expected to revise upward its economic growth outlook for the current fiscal year due to strong demand related to artificial intelligence. The bank is also monitoring the fallout from a magnitude 7.1 earthquake that struck Kumamoto Prefecture and nearby areas, home to plants of major automakers and semiconductor makers.
In other news, Skandia has raised several of its mortgage rates, citing the negative development in Iran and its impact on financial markets. The Swedish bank has increased rates for loans with binding periods between one and five years by 0.19 to 0.25 percentage points.
The European Central Bank (ECB) has unveiled selected design concepts for new euro banknotes, launching a public survey to gather opinions on the designs.
In the UK, the Bank of England is expected to leave interest rates unchanged for the fifth time in a row.
In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Central Bank has estimated the annual core inflation for the first six months of 2026 at 4.42 percent.
In India, shares are seen muted on Fed rates confusion, while in Asia, markets are flat in holiday trading.
Follow us for live European news
- 3
- 1
- 1
- 1
- 1
- 1
5 further sources not geolocated




