March FOMC meeting: Still building confidence
Summary
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As was widely expected, the FOMC left the fed funds target range unchanged at 5.25-5.50% at the conclusion of its March meeting.
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The Summary of Economic Projections showed that the vast majority of the Committee continues to believe some easing of policy will be appropriate this year. The median projection for the federal funds rate at year-end was unchanged from December's projection at 4.625%. However, the distribution of expectations shifted higher for 2024 and the median dot for 2025 and 2026 moved up 25 bps, implying an incrementally more hawkish outlook.
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Notably, the median "longer-run" dot also moved higher. While the increase was small (6 bps), we suspect the longer-run dot will drift higher very slowly to reflect a neutral rate that may have moved somewhat higher relative to the pre-pandemic period.
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The slightly higher fed funds rate outlook comes amid more upbeat projections for economic growth and stickier inflation this year. That said, the Committee's estimates for unemployment and inflation were barely changed for 2025-2026.
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The statement was virtually unchanged, with only a minor tweak to the paragraph on recent economic conditions. The Committee continues to seek "greater confidence that inflation is moving sustainably toward 2%" before reducing the fed funds rate.
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Overall, the updated Summary of Economic Projections suggests that the FOMC believes that inflation is on a path back to its 2% target, but it is likely to be achieved slightly later than previously expected. We continue to look for the FOMC to start reducing the fed funds rate at its June 12 meeting. However, the risks to our outlook are skewed toward the FOMC beginning to ease a little later in the summer or potentially proceeding at a slower pace that leads to less than the 100 bps of easing we project through the end of this year.
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While risks to the FOMC beginning to cut the fed funds rate skew toward later in the year, balance sheet normalization looks likely to occur somewhat earlier. In light of Powell's comments at today's press conference, we think an announcement to slow the pace of quantitative tightening is coming at the May 1 meeting, although we would not be surprised if it slipped to the following meeting on June 12.
Author
Wells Fargo Research Team
Wells Fargo
