The Federal Reserve, commonly referred to as the Fed, serves as the central banking system of the United States, wielding significant influence over global financial markets through its monetary policy decisions, interest rate adjustments, and economic oversight. As a primary driver of market sentiment, the Fed’s actions are closely monitored by investors and analysts from major outlets like the Financial Times, Bloomberg, and the Wall Street Journal, as shifts in its policy often dictate trends in stock volatility, commodity pricing, and international trade stability.