The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that in the past 24 hours, Russian forces struck Ukrainian energy and transportation infrastructure that was being used to support the Ukrainian armed forces.

European equities opened higher on Wednesday Sept 16: UK FTSE 100 +35.84 pts (+0.34%) at 10693.97; France CAC 40 +19.20 pts (+0.24%) at 8109.48; Euro Stoxx 50 +27.15 pts (+0.44%) at 6263.65; Italy FTSE MIB +258.31 pts (+0.50%) at 51813.50; Spain IBEX 35 +94.78 pts (+0.48%) at 19650.68; Germany DAX 30 +84.87 pts (+0.33%) at 25508.34.

US Dollar: 1. US Treasury Secretary Bessant: The dollar's status as a reserve currency remains strong, and dollar trading volume has increased. 2. White House National Economic Council Director Hassett: Trump and I respect any decision Fed Chairman Warsh makes tomorrow. 3. ADP Weekly Employment Report: In the four weeks ending August 29, 2026, private sector employers added an average of 16,250 jobs per week. Euro: 1. Markets have lowered their expectations for a European Central Bank (ECB) rate hike, now projecting a 50% probability of a rate hike in October. 2. ECB Governing Council member Mollen: Current long-term bond yields are rising due to increased supply and rising inflation expectations. The inflation outlook supports an ECB rate hike. Central banks must maintain credibility on inflation issues. Other: 1. Japanese trading companies are calling for further yen strength. 2. The Russian ruble's real effective exchange rate fell 7.1% month-on-month in August. 3. Reserve Bank of New Zealand Assistant Governor Karen Silk will step down in December. 4. Traders say the Reserve Bank of India may be selling dollars to support the rupee. 5. The Central Bank of Angola cut its benchmark lending rate by 100 basis points to 14.75%. 6. The Central Bank of Ecuador raised its 2026 economic growth forecast from 2.5% to 2.7%. 7. The Bank of France maintained its 2027 economic growth forecast at 0.9% and its 2028 forecast at 1.2%, both unchanged. 8. Ukraine's draft budget: Ukraine plans to achieve budget revenue of 5.65 trillion hryvnia (approximately US$126.7 billion) next year. 9. Bank of Korea meeting minutes: Another member stated that the timing of future interest rate hikes needs to be adjusted based on inflation and the recovery of the energy supply chain. 10. Central Bank of Ireland: Inflation forecasts face extremely high uncertainty, while economic growth risks are generally balanced. The World Trade Organization (WTO) forecasts a 1.4% decline in GDP in 2026 (up from a 2.7% decline in June); a projected 4.3% growth in 2027 (previously projected at 6.5%); and a 4.3% growth in 2028. 11. The WTO warns that a fragmentation of the trading system would lead to significant economic losses. If the global system fragments and forms multiple free trade areas, global GDP could decline by 6.9%. If the global system splits into geopolitical blocs, global GDP is projected to decline by 5.1%. If the trading system is reformed and expanded, global GDP is projected to grow by 2.9%.