Bye Bye Bernanke?
Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke has been holding a two-day policy meeting in Washington. It might be one of his last as Fed chairman. It's unclear whether the central bank will change its course following Bernanke's departure. The Fed's asset-buying program has triggered a rally on stock exchanges this year. But the labour market has not recovered as quickly as hoped.
Sea Change in Iran?
Iran's stock exchange and currency markets have been reacting positively to Hasan Rowhani's victory in the country's presidential election last Friday. The stock exchange index has increased by over three percent, while Iran's national currency - the rial - has strengthened nine percent against the US dollar.