Can a Fed rate hike slowdown trigger global equity markets rally?

Only if more skeletons don't emerge from the closet

The US Federal Reserve (US Fed) is likely to slow down the pace of rate hiking cycle over the next few months in the wake of collapse of two prominent lenders, analysts believe, as they expect a relief rally in global equity markets due to the move.

Most analysts now expect the US central bank to hike rates by 25 basis points (bps) post its two-day meet on March 21-22 as fallout of the crisis surrounding Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) and Signature Bank. Earlier, analysts were expecting a 50 bps hike.