Dollar jumps as China makes surprise rate hike

China has raised interest rates for the first time since 2007 in a bid to stifle inflation and dampen down its overheating property market.

The country's central bank, the People's Bank of China, intends to raise its one-year deposit rate from 2.25% to 2.5%, and its one-year lending rate from 5.31% to 5.6%, with effect from tomorrow. This withdrawal of stimulus is designed to calm inflationary pressures, especially in the property markets in the country's larger cities. Global markets fell following the shock policy move, while the dollar rose 1.4% against a basket of currencies as uncertainty pushed investors into the safe haven currency. The Dow Jones fell 1.03% to 11,028, the S&P 500 fell 0.93% and the Nasdaq was do...