Bank Indonesia raised its interest rate. Norges Bank and the SNB left rates unchanged

By the end of the day, the Dow Jones Index (US30) rose by 0.14%. The S&P 500 Index (US500) gained 1.08%. The Technology Index NASDAQ (US100) closed higher by 1.91%. Investor sentiment was supported by the signing of an interim peace agreement between the United States and Iran, which opens shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and reduces volatility risks in the energy market. This optimism, combined with the rapid surge in the technology sector, outweighed market concerns about the Federal Reserve’s hawkish stance, as the Fed kept rates unchanged but hinted at the possibility of another hike this year.

The main growth driver in the tech segment was Intel, whose shares jumped 10.6% after President Trump announced that the company would manufacture chips for Apple inside the United States. This boosted the entire semiconductor sector: Nvidia rose by 2.8%, and Micron Technology by 8.5%. Airlines also showed notable gains, including American Airlines (+3.3%). Meanwhile, SpaceX shares fell by 3.5%, extending their decline for the second consecutive session after last week’s high‑profile IPO.

On Thursday, European stock indices showed mixed dynamics. By the end of the day, Germany’s DAX (DE40) rose by 0.37%, France’s CAC 40 (FR40) closed up by 0.44%, Spain’s IBEX 35 (ES35) fell by 0.09%, and the UK’s FTSE 100 (UK100) ended the session down by 1.04%. A positive factor for the market was the signing of a memorandum between US President Donald Trump and Iran, which suspends military actions for 60 days and opens the Strait of Hormuz. This lowered energy prices and eased investor concerns about further ECB tightening this year.

Norway’s central bank kept its policy rate unchanged at 4.25%, as expected, but indicated a high likelihood of further increases. Governor Ida Wolden Bache noted that rising business costs will continue to support strong price pressures, meaning the base rate may be raised at one of the upcoming meetings and could settle slightly above 4.5% by year‑end. Inflation in Norway has exceeded target levels for several years, while overall economic activity shows signs of weakening.

The Swiss National Bank kept its policy rate at 0%, emphasizing that the current monetary stance ensures price stability and supports economic growth. The regulator noted that medium‑term inflationary pressure has barely changed despite the recent spike in energy prices. According to the updated SNB expectation, inflation will slightly accelerate in the near term before returning to a downward trajectory in early 2027.

Crude oil prices (WTI) fell below 75 dollars per barrel, hitting their lowest level since early March, following the temporary peace agreement between the US and Iran. The deal aims to end the prolonged conflict that caused the largest supply disruption in history and has already led to the resumption of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Restoring this strategic route will allow Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Iraq to return millions of barrels of previously halted production to the market. Since the April peak, oil prices have fallen by roughly 38%. Activity in Persian Gulf ports is picking up: Saudi tankers, as well as fuel and LNG carriers, have begun departing the region. However, global physical inventories of crude remain low.

The US natural gas prices (XNG) rose to 3.16 dollars per MMBtu after the EIA report showed that storage increased by 73 billion cubic feet in the week ending June 12 – slightly below the expected 75 billion. The current pace of inventory buildup slowed compared to the previous week (+108 bcf) and was weaker than the same period last year (+97 bcf), though it matched the five‑year average. As a result, total inventories reached 2.759 trillion cubic feet, 1% below last year’s level but 5.8% above the five‑year average.

On Thursday, Japan’s Nikkei 225 (JP225) rose sharply by 1.65%, China’s FTSE China A50 closed higher by 0.35%, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng (HK50) fell by 1.59%, and Australia’s ASX 200 (AU200) closed lower by 0.62%.

At its June 18, 2026 meeting, Bank Indonesia raised its key interest rate by 25 basis points to 5.75%, as expected. This move followed an unscheduled 25‑bp hike on June 9 and became the third tightening round in the past month, bringing the total increase since May to 100 basis points – the highest since April 2025. At the same time, the regulator raised the overnight deposit and lending facility rates to 4.75% and 6.50%, respectively. These decisive actions aim to protect the national currency, attract foreign capital, and contain inflationary pressures.