FOMC: Median forecast of Fed policymakers is for a total of four rate hikes in 2018

Eren Sengezer FXStreet

Below are the key takeaways, via Reuters, from the FOMC's updated economic projections.

Median view of appropriate federal funds rate at end-2018 2.375 pct (prev 2.125 pct); end-2019 3.125 (prev 2.875 pct): end-2020 3.375 (prev 3.375 pct) longer-run 2.875 pct (prev 2.875 pct).
Median forecast of Fed policymakers is for a total of four rate hikes in 2018.
Fed sees slightly higher 2018 GDP growth, lower unemployment in 2018-2020, higher inflation in 2018-19 vs previous forecast.
Median Fed long-run forecasts - GDP growth 1.8 pct (prev 1.8 pct); jobless rate 4.5 pct (prev 4.5 pct); PCE price index 2.0 (prev 2.0 pct).

Related articles

FOMC Preview: 8 major banks expectations from June meeting

We are closing into the FOMC’s June policy decision and as the clocks tick closer to the decision timing, following are the expectations as forecasted by the economists and researchers of 8 major banks along with some thoughts on the future course of Fed’s action.

US Dollar Index Technical Analysis: Greenback hammered down ahead of FOMC

The US Dollar Index (DXY) has lost about 40 cents after attempting to break above Tuesday’s high. Although the selling has been fairly intense, DXY is trying to find a support at the bull channel (black line).

About the FOMC statement

Following the Fed's rate decision, the FOMC releases its statement regarding monetary policy. The statement may influence the volatility of USD and determine a short-term positive or negative trend. A hawkish view is considered as positive, or bullish for the USD, whereas a dovish view is considered as negative, or bearish.

About FOMC economic projections

This report, released by Federal Reserve, includes the FOMC's projection for inflation and economic growth over the next 2 years and, more importantly, a breakdown of individual FOMC member's interest rate forecasts.

Author

Eren Sengezer

FXStreet

As an economist at heart, Eren Sengezer specializes in the assessment of the short-term and long-term impacts of macroeconomic data, central bank policies and political developments on financial assets.

USD/JPY eyes August swing low, near 155.20 ahead of US NFP

USD/JPY retests the August monthly swing low during the Asian session on Friday as a more hawkish repricing of BoJ rate-hike bets and a suspected intervention continue to underpin the Japanese Yen. Meanwhile, the US Dollar is seen consolidating the previous day's heavy losses amid soft US bond yields, further weighing on the currency pair as traders keenly await the US NFP report.

AUD/USD consolidates above 0.7200; US NFP awaited

AUD/USD holds steady above 0.7200, near its highest level since mid-May, as bulls await the US NFP report for more cues on the Fed's policy path before placing fresh bets. Meanwhile, the recent decline in US bond yields keeps the US Dollar depressed near its lowest level in over a week and acts as a tailwind for the Aussie amid the RBA's hawkish tilt.

Gold bulls seem hesitant below $4,500 amid modest USD bounce ahead of US NFP

Gold remains on the defensive below the $4,500 mark through the Asian session, snapping a two-day winning streak amid a modest US Dollar uptick. The commodity, however, remains close to the weekly high, which it touched the previous day, as traders keenly await the release of the closely watched US monthly employment details. The popularly known US Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP) report will provide more cues about the Fed's policy path amid receding bets of a September rate hike.

Crypto’s $638 million buyback boom may not be as bullish as it looks

Decentralized Finance (DeFi) protocols reportedly spent $638 million to buy back their native tokens in August, up 17% from a year earlier. On the surface, the buyback trend suggests the cryptocurrency industry is maturing fast, adopting one of Wall Street’s oldest tools to bolster valuations and distribute revenue. The headline becomes less impressive once the number is opened up.

US August Nonfarm Payrolls expected to rebound to 56K after July slump

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is set to release the Nonfarm Payrolls (NFP) data for August. Investors expect NFP to rise by 56K in August following July’s unexpected print of -23K.

Diesel’s record $100 warning: The oil shock hiding in plain sight

The Oil market may look calmer than it did a few months ago, but diesel is sending a very different message. The US diesel crack spread, the premium of ultra-low sulphur diesel futures over WTI, recently surged above $100 per barrel for the first time, reaching an intraday record of just over $102.00.