The most highly antipated FOMC Meeting of 2022 and quite possibly the most important monetary policy decision in Jerome Powell’s career is finally here – with growing expectations that the Fed is on the verge of a major policy pivot.

This first week is all about rate hikes with trader’s attention firmly focused on the outcome of the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy meeting on Wednesday.

As one of the “Big 4 Central Banks”, this event is guaranteed to be a major market mover – especially as the Federal Reserve looks set to deliver a fourth straight super-sized rate increase – with Chairman Jerome Powell likely to hint at a downshift in the future pace of rate hikes.

The Federal Open Market Committee is expected to raise rates by another whopping 75 basis points on Wednesday to a range of 3.75 to 4% – the highest since 2008 as the central bank extends its most aggressive tightening campaign since the 1980s.

At an eagerly awaited press conference, following the rate hike decision – the Fed's chief, Jerome Powell, may emphasize policymakers remain steadfast in their fight against inflation, while opening the door to a smaller 50 basis point hike in December.

The Fed’s decision to press ahead with its supersized rate rises since March, is now widely being met with resistance – bringing officials to a crossroads on which path to take next.

In recent weeks, a long list of Wall Street banks and international organization from the United Nations, World Bank and IMF warned that an overly aggressive Fed tightening policy, combined with a surging U.S dollar – “risks breaking the financial markets and inflicting worse damage globally than the financial crisis in 2008 and the Covid-19 shock in 2020”.

According to Goldman Sachs, the Federal Reserve is now only “one or two rate hikes away” from unleashing a global financial meltdown.

Sooner or later the Fed will have no other option, but to pivot.

There is no deny that Wednesday’s decision will move the federal funds rate further into “restrictive” territory, meaning it will more forcefully stifle economic activity.

Some of the world’s leading economists warn that recent flashpoints in the UK economy, which forced the Bank of England to revert to back to unprecedented “Quantitative Easing” measures – offers a cautionary tale that the U.S central bank should not ignore.

As traders very well know – every rate hike, big or small – has enormous potential to move the markets significantly – bringing with it massive opportunities to generate huge profits fast!

Where are prices heading next? Watch The Commodity Report now, for my latest price forecasts and predictions:

Trading has large potential rewards, but also large potential risk and may not be suitable for all investors. The value of your investments and income may go down as well as up. You should not speculate with capital that you cannot afford to lose. Ensure you fully understand the risks and seek independent advice if necessary.

Recommended Content


Recommended Content

Editors’ Picks

EUR/USD eases to near 1.0700 ahead of German inflation data

EUR/USD eases to near 1.0700 ahead of German inflation data

EUR/USD is paring gains to near 1.0700 in the European session on Monday. The pair stays supported by a softer US Dollar, courtesy of the USD/JPY sell-off and a risk-friendly market environment. Germany's inflation data is next in focus. 

EUR/USD News

USD/JPY recovers after testing 154.50 on likely Japanese intervention

USD/JPY recovers after testing 154.50 on likely Japanese intervention

USD/JPY is recovering ground after sliding to 154.50 on what seemed like a Japanese FX intervention. The Yen tumbled in early trades amid news that Japan's PM lost 3 key seats in the by-election. Focus shifts to the US employment data and the Fed decision later this week. 

USD/JPY News

Gold price holds steady above $2,335, bulls seem reluctant amid reduced Fed rate cut bets

Gold price holds steady above $2,335, bulls seem reluctant amid reduced Fed rate cut bets

Gold price (XAU/USD) attracts some buyers near the $2,320 area and turns positive for the third successive day on Monday, albeit the intraday uptick lacks bullish conviction.

Gold News

Ripple CTO shares take on ETHgate controversy, XRP holders await SEC opposition brief filing

Ripple CTO shares take on ETHgate controversy, XRP holders await SEC opposition brief filing

Ripple loses all gains from the past seven days, trading at $0.50 early on Monday. XRP holders have their eyes peeled for the Securities and Exchange Commission filing of opposition brief to Ripple’s motion to strike expert testimony.

Read more

Week ahead: FOMC and jobs data in sight

Week ahead: FOMC and jobs data in sight

May kicks off with the Federal Open Market Committee meeting and will be one to watch, scheduled to make the airwaves on Wednesday. It’s pretty much a sealed deal for a no-change decision at this week’s meeting.

Read more

Majors

Cryptocurrencies

Signatures