# Market Brief: Wall Street Rebounds Led by Tech, BOJ Raises Rates : Friday, September 18, 2026

- Source: https://orderflowfutures.com/en/news/2026-09-18
- Site: OrderFlowFutures (https://orderflowfutures.com)
- Edited by: Tom, Trader & founder of OrderFlowFutures (https://orderflowfutures.com/a-propos#auteur)
- Published: 2026-09-18
- Updated: 2026-09-18
- Reuse: free to quote and cite, with attribution to OrderFlowFutures and a link to the source URL.

> US equities rebounded sharply following the Fed's rate hike, driven by tech strength and positive index futures. In Asia, the Bank of Japan raised its policy rate to 1.25%, its highest level since 1995.

## US Indices Rebound and Tech Momentum

Following the Federal Reserve's decision to raise its benchmark rate by 25 basis points to 3.75%-4%, US markets experienced a relief rally. The Nasdaq led gains with a +1.69% rise to 26,418.30 points, while the S&P 500 added +1.14% to 7,637.76 points and the Dow Jones advanced +0.61% to 51,778.04 points.

The movement was driven by megacap tech stocks. **Nvidia** rose +2.54%, boosted by CEO Jensen Huang's statement that the company expects to double its AI chip sales next year. **Amazon** (+2.13%) and **Cisco** (+2.32%) also contributed to the upside as oil prices pulled back. Index futures continued higher, with Nasdaq 100 futures up 212 points and S&P 500 futures gaining 30 points (+0.4%).

## Central Banks: BOJ Hikes, BoE Under Watch

- **Bank of Japan (BOJ)**: The BOJ raised its overnight call rate by 25 basis points to 1.25% (7-2 vote), reaching its highest level since 1995. The central bank highlighted inflation moving closer to its 2% target, citing AI demand and Middle East conflict as inflationary risks.
- **Bank of England (BoE)**: Following September's rate hold at 3.75%, Barclays now projects two 25-basis-point rate hikes in November and February, pointing to Middle East tensions and risks of inflation exceeding 4% by early 2027.

## To Watch Today

- **US Equity Futures**: Bullish momentum on NQ and ES futures ahead of the US cash open.
- **Inflation and Geopolitical Risks**: Ongoing impact of energy prices and Middle East conflicts on central bank rate trajectories.

*Brief compiled from the morning's news flow, AI-assisted and reviewed before publication. Not investment advice.*