|

Breaking: US Dollar dives on dovish Fed - no hikes expected in 2019, significant downgrades

The Federal Reserve's dot-plot implies no more hikes this year, with one hike in 2020. Nine members changed their opinions. 

There were significant downward revisions to the economic outlook. The statement is quite dovish as well. They say the unemployment rate is done falling. Inflation will be lower according to the Fed. In addition, the Fed will stop shrinking the balance sheet at the end of the year. They will decrease the reduction in September. 

This is a very dovish statement. 

The US Dollar is falling sharply on the news from the Fed. EUR/USD is trading close to 1.1400, GBP/USD tops 1.3200, and USD/JPY is around 111.25.

Follow all the updates in our Fed live coverage

Here is the move on the EUR/USD chart:

EURUSD surging on the Fed March 20 2019

The Fed was expected to leave its policy unchanged and to provide further details on its plans regarding interest rates. After raising interest rates in December, the Fed has signaled a patient approach to the next moves. Markets closely watch the forecasts for interest rates

Fed Chair Jerome Powell recently said that the US economy is in a good place while noting headwinds from abroad. 

Markets are also eyeing further details about the balance sheet reduction program, also known as Quantitative Tightening. 

Author

Yohay Elam

Yohay Elam

FXStreet

Yohay is in Forex since 2008 when he founded Forex Crunch, a blog crafted in his free time that turned into a fully-fledged currency website later sold to Finixio.

More from Yohay Elam
Share:

Markets move fast. We move first.

Orange Juice Newsletter brings you expert driven insights - not headlines. Every day on your inbox.

By subscribing you agree to our Terms and conditions.

Editor's Picks

EUR/USD struggles for direction amid USD gains

EUR/USD is trimming part of its earlier gains, coming under some mild downside pressure near 1.1730 as the US Dollar edges higher. Markets are still digesting the Fed’s latest rate decision, while also looking ahead to more commentary from Fed officials in the sessions ahead.

GBP/USD drops to daily lows near 1.3360

Disappointing UK data weighed on the Sterling towards the end of the week, triggering a pullback in GBP/USD to fresh daily lows near 1.3360. Looking ahead, the next key event across the Channel is the BoE meeting on December 18.

Gold losses momentum, challenges $4,300

Gold now gives away some gains and disputes the key $4,300 zone per troy ounce following earlier multi-week highs. The move is being driven by expectations that the Fed will deliver further rate cuts next year, with the yellow metal climbing despite a firmer Greenback and rising US Treasury yields across the board.

Litecoin Price Forecast: LTC struggles to extend gains, bullish bets at risk

Litecoin (LTC) price steadies above $80 at press time on Friday, following a reversal from the $87 resistance level on Wednesday. Derivatives data suggests a bullish positional buildup while the LTC futures Open Interest declines, flashing a long squeeze risk.

Big week ends with big doubts

The S&P 500 continued to push higher yesterday as the US 2-year yield wavered around the 3.50% mark following a Federal Reserve (Fed) rate cut earlier this week that was ultimately perceived as not that hawkish after all. The cut is especially boosting the non-tech pockets of the market.

Aave Price Forecast: AAVE primed for breakout as bullish signals strengthen

Aave (AAVE) price is trading above $204 at the time of writing on Friday and approaching the upper boundary of its descending parallel channel; a breakout from this structure would favor the bulls.