FOREX: The dollar eased against a basket of currencies on Wednesday but remained close to a 20-year high set on Monday as traders braced for more interest rate hikes from the Federal Reserve. 

The dollar index ended the session down 0.1% at 108.66, having earlier been close to Monday's 20-year high of 109.48.

The euro rallied back above parity against the dollar, but the outlook for the euro remains mired in uncertainty, weighed down by the energy crisis and recession fears.

Gold: Gold prices slipped on Wednesday, falling for a fifth straight month, weighed down by aggressive interest rate hikes by major global central banks.

Crude oil: Oil prices plunged nearly 4% on market fears that the global economy will slow further.

Stocks: U.S. stocks closed lower for a fourth straight day on Wednesday and posted their weakest August performance in seven years, as concerns persisted over aggressive interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve. Declines in technology stocks, particularly chip stocks, put further pressure on the market.

Market headlines

1. OPEC+ sees oil demand growth at risk as market tightens in 2022 due to lack of capacity.

2. On 31 August local time, Gazprom President Miller predicted that gas prices will rise to more than $4,000 per 1,000 cubic metres this autumn and winter. He also pointed out that Russia's gas reserves could be exploited for another 100 years.

3. Japan's new pneumonia epidemic reaches "disaster level" and the healthcare system is hit hard.