(VOVworld) – The US Federal Reserve raised interest rates by 0.25 percentage points on Thursday, positively impacting global securities markets. 

A television screen on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange last night, where the Dow jumped by 224 points. (Photo: Justin Lane/EPA)

Asian markets recorded marked increases in their Thursday trading sessions, while the USD gained slightly against other currencies. In Singapore, at the opening session, the Straits Times Index rose 0.12 percent – 3.43 points to reach 2,844.35.  Japan’s Nikkei 225 Index increased 1.6 percent, while China’s Shanghai Composite Index rose 1.8 percent.