CEE MARKETS-Zloty falls to multi-year low as markets await Fed message

BUDAPEST, Oct 28 (Reuters) - Central European currencies were pressured by higher oil and gas prices, with the Polish zloty falling to a multi-year low, as investors awaited a rate decision by the US Federal Reserve.

The Polish zloty eased 0.3% to 4.410 versus the euro — its weakest level since November 2023.

The upcoming decision by the US Federal Open Market Committee was "the most important event for the FX market," PKO Bank said in a note. It added that Fed Chair Kevin Warsh's hawkish tone "could further support the dollar, particularly against emerging market currencies, including the Polish złoty."

The US central bank is expected to hold interest rates steady on Wednesday as policymakers wait to see if inflation moderates or stays strong enough to warrant more hikes in borrowing costs.

The Hungarian forint , meanwhile, slipped 0.2% to trade at 367.25 to the euro.

"TTF natural gas, rising to the 95 euro level, is putting regional currencies under pressure," brokerage Equilor wrote in a note.

Hungary's currency is the most sensitive in the region to changes in energy prices due to its reliance on energy imports.

Oil prices rose over 1% on Wednesday after an attack on a refinery in Saudi Arabia, the world's top crude exporter, renewed concerns about supply risks because of conflicts in the Middle East.

Elsewhere, the Romanian leu edged down to trade at 5.35 per euro.

Stocks in the region were mixed, with Budapest's blue-chip index losing 0.8% while Warsaw edged up 0.04%.

Markets in the Czech Republic were closed for a holiday.