Federal Reserve

Federal Reserve: Traders are refraining from big moves as they await the release of the minutes from the Federal Reserve's July policy meeting for hints of whether and when the bank will begin cutting back on its monthly bond purchases. The focus will remain on the Fed on Thursday, when it starts its annual conference in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, according to Times Colonist. Japan's Nikkei 225 index fell 0.5 per cent to 13,684.60. Hong Kong's Hang Seng dropped 0.3 per cent to 22,389.06. Australia's S P/ASX 200 lost 0.5 per cent to 5,085. South Korea's Kospi rose 0.2 per cent to 1,919.96 and BANGKOK - Asian stock markets fell Monday as investors braced for the possible phaseout of a U.S. central bank stimulus program that has boosted stock prices worldwide. "The volatility these two events could cause to markets could see bond yields overshooting fair value, and equity markets logging five and six day losing streaks," said Evan Lucas of IG in Melbourne, Australia. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.