The Federal Reserve kept its options open on Wednesday, signaling that it would not raise short-term interest rates any earlier than June, while leaving unresolved how much longer it might be willing to wait before lifting its benchmark rate from near zero, where the central bank has held it for more than six years.
Treating the recent turmoil in markets as essentially meaningless noise, the Fed issued its most upbeat assessment of economic conditions since the recession, after its first policy-making meeting of the year, in a statement that noted solid economic growth and strong job growth.
But the optimistic tone was tempered by the Fed’s acknowledgment that inflation has slowed markedly in recent months and is likely to slow even more, making it harder for the Fed to determine how quickly to retreat from its stimulus campaign.
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Editors’ Picks
GBP/USD stays below 1.2450 after UK employment data
GBP/USD trades marginally lower on the day below 1.2450 in the early European session on Tuesday. The data from the UK showed that the ILO Unemployment Rate in February rose to 4.2% from 4%, weighing on Pound Sterling.
EUR/USD steadies above 1.0600, awaits German ZEW and Powell speech
EUR/USD is holding above 1.0600 in the European morning on Tuesday, having hit fresh five-month lows. The pair draws support from sluggish US Treasury bond yields but the rebound appears capped amid a stronger US Dollar and risk-aversion. Germany's ZEW survey and Powell awaited.
Gold price holds steady below $2,400 mark, bullish potential seems intact
Gold price oscillates in a narrow band on Tuesday and remains close to the all-time peak. The worsening Middle East crisis weighs on investors’ sentiment and benefits the metal. Reduced Fed rate cut bets lift the USD to a fresh YTD top and cap gains for the XAU/USD.
SOL primed for a breakout as it completes a rounding bottom pattern
Solana price has conformed to the broader market crash, following in the steps of Bitcoin price that remains in the red below the $65,000 threshold. For SOL, however, the sensational altcoin could have a big move in store.
Key economic and earnings releases to watch
The market’s focus may be on geopolitical issues at the start of this week, but there is a large amount of economic data and more earnings releases to digest in the coming days.