Bitget UEX Daily Report: Fed Hikes Rates by 25 bps; US Stocks Decline for Third Day (September 17, 2026)

The Federal Reserve raised the federal funds rate by 25 basis points to a range of 3.75%–4.00%, marking the first hike since July 2023. The median policy rate projection for the end of 2026 is 4.1%, suggesting potential for further tightening. Meanwhile, US retail sales grew 1.2% in August, indicating resilient consumer demand. In the crypto market, BTC and ETH saw modest gains over the 24-hour window surrounding the Fed decision. US stock indices fell for the third consecutive session, with the Dow Jones dropping 1.21%, the S&P 500 down 0.44%, and the Nasdaq nearly flat.