HONG KONG (AP) — Asian shares were mixed on Monday ahead of a Federal Reserve decision this week on interest rates.
U.S. futures gained while oil prices fell more than $1 a barrel.
Concerns over an escalation of the Israel-Hamas war has added to uncertainty over supplies. The Israeli military’s ground forces conducted incursions into Gaza over the weekend and Prime Minister Netanyahu warned of a “long and difficult” war.
A mixed set of economic reports Friday didn’t appear to alter Wall Street’s expectations that the Federal Reserve will keep its benchmark rate of above 5.25% unchanged at a meeting Wednesday.
A report showed that the Fed’s preferred measure of inflation remained high last month, but within economists’ expectations. Spending by U.S. consumers was stronger than expected, even though growth in their incomes fell short of forecasts.
U.S. consumer expectations…
