Australia's S&P/ASX benchmark rose 0.64 in early trading. — Reuters pic
The Fed said yesterday it would stick with its policy of low interest rates while legislators moved closer to agreeing on an additional US$900 billion of Covid-19 aid, including US$600 to US$700 stimulus checks and extended unemployment benefits. US Treasury yields increased slightly, however, with the benchmark 10-year yield up 0.4 basis point to 0.925 per cent yesterday afternoon.
The US dollar initially rose slightly on the Fed's announcement, but soon the dollar index was down 0.2 per cent on the day, around a two-year low.