Markets slide as Fed is split over future stimulus

Imminent plans for another round of US quantitative easing were ruled out yesterday following the publication of the US Federal Reserve minutes, disappointing markets.

The minutes also revealed a split between the committee members over the timing of future stimulus moves. US stock markets closed down on the news, with the Dow Jones slipping down 0.38% to 12,604 and the S&P 500 closed flat at 1,341 and the Nasdaq fell 0.49% to 2,887. Asian markets also fell sharply following the publication of the minutes. The Nikkei 225 fell 1.48% to 8,720 and the Hang Seng Index closed 1.7% down at 19,090. The minutes published on Wednesday demonstrated concerns that unemployment would remain elevated for another five to six years, but most officials did not se...