FOMC
FOMC Leaves FF Target at 1-1.25%
September 20, 2017
The FOMC statement kept the existing interest rate target with no dissenting votes. Officials do not expect the hurricane storm damages to “alter the course of the national economy over the medium term. The statement includes a two-page addendum of modifications to a balance sheet normalization program that will begin to be implemented next month. […] More
A Compelling Argument for the Fed to Stay the Course of Rate Normalization
September 18, 2017
This week’s Federal Open Market meeting is not expected to raise the 1.00-1.25% federal funds target but is nonetheless anticipated as an event that may shed many clues regarding future policy. The disconnection between a tightening labor market yet continuing sub-target inflation has kindled speculation that there may not be any further interest rate increases […] More
Growth Optimism Crowds Out Geopolitical Worries in Wednesday’s Session
August 16, 2017
Markets have turned a deafer ear to geopolitical concerns, but such is likely only a temporary lull. A Korean war seems less imminent, but world alarm about changes happening in the United States continues to mount. The title of a Tuesday Op-Ed article in the Financial Times — America is now a dangerous nation — would have […] More
Oil and Stocks Firmer
July 26, 2017
The Federal Open Market Committee completes its two-day policy review and will announce its findings and plans at 14:00 EDT (18:00 GMT). See preview. Second-quarter corporate earnings have been mostly better than expected and have provided a supportive foundation for equities. 10-year sovereign debt yields are down three basis points in the U.K., 2 bps […] More
Wide Spectrum of Developments Elicit Financial Market Response
July 25, 2017
In an escalated barrage of complaints, President Trump has lashed out at a range of adversaries: Attorney General Sessions, Congressional Republicans, Hillary Clinton, Bob Meuller, and the press. A vote on repealing the Affordable Care Act seems likely in the Senate this afternoon. The Federal Open Market Committee began a two-day policy meeting today. U.S. […] More
Better Tone in Stocks
June 13, 2017
Australian stocks rallied 1.7%, led by financials. A rebound in technology has lifted other stock markets. China and Hong Kong bourses closed up 0.4%. South Korea’s Kospi climbed 0.7%. Indonesian and Singapore markets rose 0.3%. The German Dax, Paris Cac and British Ftse are up 0.5%, 0.4% and 0.1%. Japan’s Nikkei lost 0.1%, however, and […] More
Waiting for the FOMC Statement Later Today
May 3, 2017
Markets were closed today in Japan (Constitution Day) and both South Korea and Hong Kong (Buddah’s birthday). Lower U.S. share prices are indicated likely in the wake of disappointing data released yesterday. All six automakers reported lower sales in April, and Apple’s 1Q earnings missed expectations. The yen’s recent slide continued. The dollar shows gains […] More
FOMC Statement & Projections
March 15, 2017
The FOMC hiked its fed funds rate target 25 basis points to 0.74-1.0%. There was a single dissent, Minneapolis Fed President Kashkari, who favored no change. The released statement is similar to the prior one. Business investment was upgraded, and the statement acknowledges that the desired level of inflation has been reached, so the goal […] More
Lots of U.S. Data and a Yellen Press Conference This Ides of March
March 15, 2017
The Federal Reserve will release new macroeconomic forecasts and is expected to raise the fed funds target at 18:00 GMT, and the press conference begins a half hour later. The dollar softened overnight by 0.6% against the peso, 0.5% versus sterling, 0.4% relative to the New Zealand and Australian dollars, 0.3% vis-a-vis the loonie and […] More
Awaiting a Likely Fed Rate Hike and Yellen’s Press Conference
December 14, 2016
The Fed’s announcement is due at 14:00 EST (19:00 GMT). A rate hike is like for the first time in a year. Chair Yellen’s press conference starts 14:30 EST. New forecasts will be unveiled. The dollar is down 0.3% against the euro and yen. Ten-year sovereign debt yields fell overnight by six basis points in […] More
